Spearmint

(Mentha spicata)

Bright, cooling, and unmistakably green, spearmint is the gentle cousin in the mint family — sweeter and softer than peppermint, with none of the menthol bite. Its silver-tipped leaves carry a clean, uplifting aroma that lifts the spirit and clears the head. In blends and teas it brings a fresh, breezy top note, a sense of openness and ease that makes it a beloved companion herb in countless ceremonial and everyday preparations.

across time

Tradition & Ritual

Cultivated since antiquity around the Mediterranean, spearmint scented Greek bathing rituals and temple floors, where its leaves were strewn to perfume sacred spaces and welcome guests. The Romans wove it into garlands and feast-day cups. Across folk traditions it became an herb of hospitality and clarity, brewed as a welcoming tea and tucked into bundles meant to freshen body, breath, and mood.

what it offers

Scientific & Medicine

Rich in carvone, the compound behind its sweet green scent, spearmint is traditionally valued as a gentle digestive and a soothing, settling herb for the stomach. Caffeine-free and mild, it has long been prized as a calming yet refreshing tea. In a smoke blend or infusion it softens harsher herbs, lending a cool, bright, slightly sweet finish and an airy lift to the overall character.

the old stories

Legends & Myths

In Greek myth, Minthe was a river nymph beloved by Hades; when his queen Persephone discovered the affair, she transformed her rival into a lowly creeping plant. Unable to undo the spell, Hades granted the herb its sweet, irresistible fragrance — so that Minthe, trodden underfoot, would release her perfume and never be forgotten by those who walked above.

from the bear

Bear Originals

I reach for spearmint whenever a blend feels too heavy or too serious. A pinch of these leaves opens everything up — like cracking a window in a warm room. It's my morning herb, the one that says begin gently. Bright, kind, and always welcome.

Cautions & Contraindications

Generally very safe. In large amounts may relax the lower esophageal valve and aggravate reflux in sensitive people.

Botanical plate of Spearmint (Mentha spicata)

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