Mentha spicata

Spearmint/Drug Interactions:

  • AntibioticsAntibiotics: In in vitro study, spearmint essential oil exhibited bactericidal activity against Helicobacter pylori, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enteritidis, enterobacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and bacteria that commonly cause dental caries (10; 37; 79; 14; 80). Theoretically, concurrent use of antibacterial agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Spearmint exhibited antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus, and Fusarium moniliforme (11; 12; 13). Theoretically, concurrent use of antifungal agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • Anti-inflammatory agentsAnti-inflammatory agents: In in vitro and animal study, extracts of spearmint were effective at inhibiting chronic and acute inflammation (81; 15; 16). Theoretically, concurrent use of anti-inflammatory agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • Antilipemic agentsAntilipemic agents: In human research, spearmint significantly decreased triglyceride levels (4). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with other triglyceride-lowering agents may have additive effects.
  • Antineoplastic agentsAntineoplastic agents: In animal study, spearmint was shown to have chemopreventive effects (18; 82; 83; 84; 85). Theoretically, concurrent use of antineoplastic agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • CNS depressantsCNS depressants: In animal study, spearmint and its main component, carvone, have exhibited sedative and antidepressant effects (59; 60; 61; 39). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with CNS depressants may cause additive CNS depressant effects.
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: In laboratory study, spearmint has been found to be a potential inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 (86). In animal study, spearmint decreased expression of cytochrome P450scc and cytochrome P450C17 enzymes (63). Spearmint extract inhibited two of the major enzymes that play a role in the metabolic activation of cytochromes P4501A1 and 1A2. Theoretically, spearmint may alter levels of drugs metabolized by the CYP450 enzyme system, particularly CYP450 3A4, 1A1, 1A2, and C17.
  • Hepatotoxic agents Hepatotoxic agents: Spearmint tea caused lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage in animal research (65). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with hepatotoxic agents may increase the risk of liver damage.
  • Hormonal agentsHormonal agents: In animal research, spearmint has been shown to decrease testosterone levels, cause damaging effects on testicular tissue (62), decrease sperm density (63), and to significantly decrease follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels (62). Theoretically, spearmint may alter or interfere with hormonal agents.
  • Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: Spearmint tea caused nephrotoxic changes in rats (64). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with nephrotoxic agents may increase the risk of kidney damage.
  • Radioprotective drugsRadioprotective drugs: Spearmint oil has been shown to protect against radiation-induced lethality in animal study (38). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with radioprotective agents may have additive effects.
  • SedativesSedatives: In animal study, spearmint and its main component, carvone, have exhibited sedative and antidepressant effects (59; 60; 61; 39). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with CNS depressants may cause additive sedative effects.

    • Spearmint/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • AntibacterialsAntibacterials: In in vitro study, spearmint essential oil exhibited bactericidal activity against Helicobacter pylori, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Proteus, Klebsiella oxytoca, Listeria monocytogenes, Klebsiella pneumonia, Salmonella enteritidis, enterobacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and bacteria that commonly cause dental caries (10; 37; 79; 14; 80). Theoretically, concurrent use of antibacterial agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • AntidepressantsAntidepressants: In animal study, spearmint and its main component, carvone, have exhibited antinociceptive activity, sedative effects, arousal effects, depressant effects, and decreased peripheral nerve excitability (59; 60; 61; 39).
  • AntifungalsAntifungals: Spearmint exhibited antifungal activity against Trichophyton mentagrophytes, Aspergillus flavus, A. parasiticus, A. ochraceus, and Fusarium moniliforme (11; 12; 13). Theoretically, concurrent use of antifungal agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • Anti-inflammatory herbsAnti-inflammatory herbs: In in vitro and animal study, extracts of spearmint were effective at inhibiting chronic and acute inflammation (81; 15; 16). Theoretically, concurrent use of anti-inflammatory agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • AntilipemicsAntilipemics: In human research, spearmint significantly decreased triglyceride levels (4). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with other triglyceride-lowering agents may have additive effects.
  • AntineoplasticsAntineoplastics: In animal study, spearmint was shown to have chemopreventive effects (18; 82; 83; 84; 85). Theoretically, concurrent use of antineoplastic agents with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • AntioxidantsAntioxidants: Spearmint was shown to exhibit antioxidant activity in vitro (14; 19; 22) comparable to synthetic butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and higher than that of mate (87; 57). However, it was shown to induce oxidative stress in the hypothalamus of rats (63). Theoretically, concurrent use of antioxidants with spearmint may have additive effects.
  • Cytochrome P450-metabolized agentsCytochrome P450-metabolized agents: In laboratory study, spearmint has been found to be a potential inducer of cytochrome P450 3A4 (86). In animal study, spearmint decreased expression of cytochrome P450scc and cytochrome P450C17 enzymes (63). Spearmint extract inhibited two of the major enzymes that play a role in the metabolic activation of cytochromes P4501A1 and 1A2. Theoretically, spearmint may alter levels of drugs metabolized by the CYP450 enzyme system, particularly CYP450 3A4, 1A1, 1A2, and C17.
  • Hepatotoxic herbs and supplementsHepatotoxic herbs and supplements: Spearmint tea caused lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage in animal research (65). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with hepatotoxic agents may increase the risk of liver damage.
  • Hormonal herbs and supplementsHormonal herbs and supplements: In animal research, spearmint has been shown to decrease testosterone levels, cause damaging effects on testicular tissue (62), decrease sperm density (63), and to significantly decrease follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels (62).Theoretically, spearmint may alter or interfere with hormonal agents.
  • IronIron: Spearmint tea inhibited iron absorption in animals (58).
  • Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: Spearmint tea caused nephrotoxic changes in rats (64). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with nephrotoxic agents may increase the risk of kidney damage.
  • SedativesSedatives: In animal study, spearmint and its main component, carvone, have exhibited sedative and antidepressant effects (59; 60; 61; 39). Theoretically, concurrent use of spearmint with CNS depressants may cause additive sedative effects.
  • Vitamin EVitamin E: Spearmint contains 0.14mg of gamma-tocopherol/100g of fresh spearmint leaves (88). Concurrent use with vitamin E may cause additive increases in tocopherol levels.

    • Spearmint/Food Interactions:

  • Insufficient available evidence.

    • Spearmint/Lab Interactions:

  • Hormone panel (LH, FSH, and estradiol levels)Hormone panel (LH, FSH, and estradiol levels): In human research, spearmint increased LH, FSH, and estradiol levels (3; 4).
  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: Spearmint tea caused lipid peroxidation and hepatic damage in animal research (65). Changes in liver function tests may occur.
  • Renal function testsRenal function tests: Spearmint tea caused nephrotoxic changes in rats (64). Changes in kidney function tests may occur.
  • Testosterone levelsTestosterone levels: Free testosterone levels were significantly reduced after drinking spearmint tea in human research (3; 4). There are conflicting results for total testosterone levels (3; 4).
  • Tocopherol levelsTocopherol levels: Spearmint contains 0.14mg of gamma-tocopherol/100g of fresh spearmint leaves (88) and may increase tocopherol levels.
  • Triglyceride levelsTriglyceride levels: In human research, spearmint significantly decreased triglyceride levels (4).