Spearmint oil
Spearmint oil suppliers and sourcing guide
Spearmint oil is the essential oil steam-distilled from the leafy tops of spearmint. Native spearmint (Mentha spicata) and Scotch spearmint (Mentha x gracilis, traded as Mentha cardiaca) are the two main types, with the US Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, India and China as key origins. Its dominant component is l-carvone, and it is used in chewing gum, toothpaste, confectionery and teas, often rectified or blended to a target profile.
- Also known as
- Mentha spicata oil · Native spearmint oil · Scotch spearmint oil (Mentha cardiaca) · Mentha viridis oil · CAS 8008-79-5
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of spearmint oil
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Native
Oil from Mentha spicata, the traditional US spearmint type.
Scotch
Oil from Scotch spearmint, with a slightly different, often sweeter profile.
Rectified or fractionated
Redistilled oil with off-notes removed and carvone brought into a tighter range.
Organic
Certified organic spearmint oil, in limited supply.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- GC profile
- Gas chromatography of carvone, limonene, 1,8-cineole, dihydrocarvone and other markers against the specification.
- Physical constants
- Specific gravity, refractive index and optical rotation at a stated temperature, compared with the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex monograph where one exists.
- Carvone content
- l-Carvone percentage by GC, the main value used to grade and price spearmint oil.
- Appearance and odor
- Color, clarity and odor against a retained standard; off-notes often show up before the GC profile shifts.
- Heavy metals
- Lead and arsenic, typically by ICP-MS, against the supplier's specification.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.
Lots and expiry dates
Carvone and limonene levels vary by type, region and season. Record type (native or Scotch), carvone and GC profile per lot, and do not mix the two types without checking the finished flavor.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.20 lists spearmint (Mentha spicata) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists spearmint oil (CAS 8008-79-5) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists Scotch spearmint oil (Mentha cardiaca) as a separate entry with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant and no CFR section cited.
Source: hfpappexternal.fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Spearmint oil suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking spearmint oil suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell spearmint oil? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of spearmint oil can brands buy?
Common forms include native, scotch, rectified or fractionated and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for spearmint oil include?
Expect gC profile, physical constants, carvone content, appearance and odor and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should spearmint oil be stored?
Keep the oil in full, tightly closed amber glass, aluminum or lined steel containers, cool and out of light; headspace air oxidizes terpenes and dulls the odor. Blanket partly used drums with nitrogen where possible. Shelf life is set by the supplier's specification, and older stock is usually retested for odor, peroxide value and GC profile before use.
What is the regulatory status of spearmint oil?
21 CFR 182.20 lists spearmint (Mentha spicata) among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists spearmint oil (CAS 8008-79-5) with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant, citing 21 CFR 172.230 and 182.20. FDA's Substances Added to Food inventory lists Scotch spearmint oil (Mentha cardiaca) as a separate entry with the technical effect flavoring agent or adjuvant and no CFR section cited.
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