Spearmint, or Mentha spicata is a pleasant-smelling species of mint containing vitamins, antioxidants, and vital nutrients.
Research published in Phytotherapy Research suggests that drinking two cups of spearmint tea a day, for 5 days could reduce the level of androgens in women while increasing female hormones necessary for ovulation, such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol along with hirsutism. A second, 30-day study, of 41 women with polycystic ovary syndrome, produced similar results.
Hirsutism in women causes hair to grow on the face, breasts, and stomach. It can lead to a great deal of distress. The hair grows because of excessively high levels of the “male” androgen hormones.
For women with hormone imbalances, spearmint tea may provide relief.
Additionally, in a study in rats, spearmint essential oil was found to decrease testosterone and ovarian cysts and increase the number of viable eggs in the rats’ ovaries.
Some serving suggestions are:
- Chopping the leaves and sprinkling it onto food
- Using the leaves to make mint sauce
- Preparing spearmint tea.
Ways of Consuming Spearmint
Spearmint Tea (Hot & Iced)
Ingredients
- 2 cups water (filtered)
- 15 mint leaves (fresh, peppermint or spearmint)
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar (or honey)
- lemon slices
- fresh lemon juice
- ice (optional)
Instructions:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Bring the water to a boil.
- Remove from the heat and add the fresh mint leaves.
- Steep for 3 to 5 minutes, depending on desired strength.
- Add optional sweetener as desired. Start with 1 teaspoon per cup and add more as desired.
- If serving iced, fill tall glasses with ice and pour the tea over. If serving hot, pour the tea into mugs. Garnish with optional lemon slices and/or lemon juice to taste.
- Enjoy!
Spearmint Sauce
Ingredients
- 2 – 3 bunches of fresh mint leaves (and stalks if they are tender)
- 1 – 2 Tablespoons of White Wine Vinegar
- 4 – 6 Teaspoons of Brown or White Regular Sugar. (Brown is better if you have it handy).
Instructions
- Wash the mint well and discard any stalks which are thick and tough. Then chop finely.
- Place the mint in a bowl and add 1 Tablespoon of the vinegar. Give it a stir and it should be a thick consistency. If you need a little more vinegar, add a little at a time until you are happy with the thickness. You should be able to have a blob of mint sauce on a teaspoon without it being watery.
- Next, add a few teaspoons of sugar and stir well. Taste the mixture and add a little more sugar/jaggery until it is as sweet or sharp to your liking.
- Refrigerate (minimum 30 minutes) until you are ready to use.
Fresh Spearmint Ice Cream
Its pale color and sprightly flavor speak to its purity and its short ingredient list: milk, cream, sugar, eggs, and fresh-from-the-garden mint.
Servings: 6
Yield: Makes 3 cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup packed fresh spearmint
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 large eggs
- 3/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Prepare an ice-water bath. Cook mint in a small saucepan of boiling water until bright green, about 1 minute. Using a slotted spoon, transfer mint to ice-water bath. When cool, drain, and squeeze out excess water. Reserve ice-water bath.
- Puree mint and milk in a blender until mint is finely chopped. Transfer to a medium saucepan, add cream, and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Meanwhile, whisk together eggs and sugar in a medium bowl.
- Gradually whisk 1/3 of the cream mixture into the egg mixture, then pour egg-cream mixture into the saucepan with the remaining cream mixture. Set over medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until thick enough to coat the back of the spoon, about 8 minutes. (Do not let the mixture come to a simmer.)
- Strain through a fine sieve into a heatproof bowl, pressing on mint to extract liquid. Set bowl in ice-water bath. Let cool completely, stirring occasionally. Freeze until firm, about 4 hours (or up to 1 week).
Summary
Spearmint tea may have beneficial effects on hormones in women, including decreasing male hormones like testosterone and increasing hormones necessary for ovulation.