Peppermint vs Spearmint: Different Mints, Different Uses
Peppermint is a natural cross of water mint and spearmint. What NIH and the EU herbal committee say about peppermint, the thin human research on spearmint, and safety points for each.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Safety point first. Peppermint oil, which contains menthol, should not be applied to the face of infants or young children because serious side effects may occur if they inhale the menthol. [1] Oils are covered on separate pages; see peppermint oil safety. Do not swallow essential oils.
What the sources say about each
| Peppermint | Spearmint | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Mentha x piperita, a natural cross [1] | Mentha spicata [2] |
| Official summary | EU committee (HMPC, 2020): leaf preparations can be used for digestion-related problems such as indigestion and flatulence, based on long-standing use, in adults and children over 4 [3] | Proper evidence not found. NIH has no spearmint page (not found), and we did not locate a regulator summary. |
| Evidence level | Leaf: very little research. NIH says not enough evidence to determine whether leaf is useful for any condition [1] | Small studies of tea in women with excess hair growth (see below) |
The EU committee notes that "traditional use" means clinical-trial evidence is insufficient but effectiveness is plausible. [3]
Research: peppermint
Most peppermint research is on the oil, not the plant or tea. NIH says a small amount of research suggests peppermint oil in enteric-coated capsules may improve irritable bowel syndrome symptoms in adults. [1] Peppermint tea, made from the leaves, appears safe, but long-term safety of large amounts of leaf is unknown. [1] A result for oil capsules does not transfer to tea. See peppermint oil capsules for IBS and peppermint tea.Research: spearmint
- A 2010 randomized trial gave 42 volunteers with polycystic ovarian syndrome spearmint tea or placebo herbal tea twice a day for a month. [4] Free and total testosterone fell significantly in the spearmint group, but there was no significant reduction in objectively rated hirsutism between groups. [4]
- A 2007 study of 21 hirsute women drank spearmint tea twice a day for 5 days; the authors said further studies were needed. [5]
These are small studies of hormone levels in one group of women, labelled promising but limited. They do not show spearmint treats any condition. Proper evidence not found for other human uses in the sources we read.
No universal winner
They are used differently: peppermint mostly for digestion, spearmint with little formal evidence. See peppermint, spearmint and spearmint tea.Frequently asked questions
Is peppermint the same as spearmint?
No. Peppermint is a natural cross between water mint and spearmint. [1]
Which is better for indigestion?
The EU committee accepts peppermint leaf for indigestion and flatulence by traditional use. [3] Proper evidence not found for spearmint.
Does spearmint tea lower testosterone?
Two small studies found lower testosterone in women with excess hair growth, but a larger trial did not improve objective hair scores. [4]
Is peppermint oil safe for children?
Not on the face of infants or young children. [1]
Is peppermint tea safe?
It appears safe, but long-term safety of large amounts of leaf is unknown. [1]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
- Peppermint oil can cause heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain and dry mouth, and rarely allergic reactions. [1]
- Oral peppermint in food amounts is likely safe in pregnancy or breastfeeding; little is known about medicinal amounts. [1]
- Spearmint pregnancy, breastfeeding and medicine-interaction information: not described in the sources we read. Because the studies above looked at hormone levels, ask a clinician if you have a hormone-related condition.
- Ask a pharmacist about medicines; see how interactions work.
References
- NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health), Peppermint Oil, last updated May 2025. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat, GBIF Backbone Taxonomy species match, used for accepted plant names. Read 2026-10-23.
- European Medicines Agency (EU), Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products, Menthae piperitae folium (peppermint leaf) public summary, first published 2020. Read 2026-10-23.
- Akdogan M et al. (2010), Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial, PubMed. Read 2026-10-23.
- Akdogan M et al. (2007), Effect of spearmint (Mentha spicata Labiatae) teas on androgen levels in women with hirsutism, PubMed. Read 2026-10-23.