Arcotrade

( Mentha spicata , syn M. viridis ), the mint variety most commonly used in cooking , yields an aromatic and carminative oil, referred to as " oil of spearmint ".

Spearmint takes its name from its crinkled leaves , which resemble the shape of the blade of a spear .

Spearmint is cultivated all over Egypt. It is widely used by Egyptians in its fresh form as a flavor for tea.

It has oblong, lanceolate, sub-acute, serrate leaves, and slender spikes of flowers . It grows in watery places.

Spearmint is a valuable herb for stopping vomiting during pregnancy. It is gentle enough to use for colic in babies, while aiding in curing colds, flu, and gas.

Spearmint Leaf, C/S & Powder (Mentha spicata)

Properties and Uses:
Antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic. Spearmint shares many of the uses described under peppermint, above. It is also often given, for common women's complaints and for suppressed or painful urination. An Infusion of spearmint combined with horehound is sometimes given to children for fever.

•Whole

The freshly cut branches are de-stemmed to separate the leaves. The leaves are then dried in wooden bins stacked one over the other. The leaves take 3-5 days for drying depending on season. Following the drying, the leaves are then hand selected again for top cleaning. Screening before packing may be applied to separate crushed and broken leaves

•Crushed

After being cut from the field, the entire plant is dried on sandy soil. After drying, the dried herb is threshed to break the leaves and separate them from the stems. The resultant dried material is then mechanically cleaned to eliminate foreign bodies and small stems.