Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a perennial herb in the mint family with bright green leaves and a refreshing, gently sweet flavor. Its characteristic aroma comes largely from carvone, which gives spearmint a softer flavor than the menthol-rich taste of peppermint. Spearmint is particularly rich in rosmarinic acid and provides an array of flavonoids and other protective plant compounds. Traditionally used in foods, teas, and digestive preparations, spearmint has also been studied for its effects on reproductive hormone balance in women.