474. Mentha viridis.—Spearmint. 474a. Oleum Menthae Viridis.

The dried leaves and flowering tops of Men'tha spica'ta Linné.

DESCRIPTION.—The leaves of the spearmint resemble those of the peppermint, but the former are rather subsessile. The branches of the spearmint are mostly light green, while those of the peppermint are often purplish. The stamens of the spearmint are exserted, while those of the peppermint are short; Odor and taste mint-like, but less cooling, quite characteristic.

Powder.—Microscopical elements of: See Part iv, Chap. I, B.

CONSTITUENTS.—Volatile oil containing carvone, C₁₀H₁₄O, limonine, etc.

ACTION AND USES.—Carminative; an antispasmodic of milder property than peppermint, often preferred in infantile cases. Dose: 15 to 60 gr. (1 to 4 Gm.), in infusion, employed in Spiritus Menthae Viridis.

OFFICIAL PREPARATION.—Spiritus Menthae Piperitae.

474a. Oleum Menthae Viridis.

A volatile oil distilled from the flowering plant of Mentha Spicata Linné (Mentha Viridis Linné) and yielding when assayed by the U.S.P. process not less than 40 per cent. by volume of carvone. It is a colorless, yellow or greenish-yellow liquid having characteristic odor and taste of spearmint.

Michigan is the chief producer of this oil in U.S.

OFFICIAL PREPARATIONS.

Aqua Menthae Viridis (0.2 per cent.).

Spiritus Menthae Viridis (10 per cent.), Dose: 30 drops (2.0 Mils).

A Manual of Organic Materia Medica and Pharmacognosy, 1917, was written by Lucius E. Sayre, B.S. Ph. M.