Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Spearmint leaf (Mentha spicata) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for various respiratory ailments, including coughs. In folk medicine, spearmint infusions or teas are often recommended to soothe throat irritation and calm coughs. This use is largely attributed to the mild menthol content of spearmint (though it contains less menthol than peppermint), as well as its general anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. Traditional herbal texts from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia describe spearmint as an expectorant and a demulcent, helping to loosen mucus and provide soothing relief for coughs. However, scientific studies specifically focusing on spearmint for cough relief are limited. Most clinical and preclinical research has been conducted on peppermint or menthol in general, rather than spearmint itself. While there is some laboratory evidence that spearmint extracts may have mild anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects, these findings have not been directly linked to cough relief in human studies. Therefore, the use of spearmint leaf for cough is primarily supported by traditional use rather than rigorous scientific validation, and the overall strength of evidence is low to moderate.

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