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Head-to-head evidence comparison — which supplement is right for you?
Folic Acid vs Spearmint: Spearmint has the stronger overall evidence (6.2 vs 8/10); the best pick depends on your goals. Take the 60-second quiz for a pick tailored to your goals.
Spearmint wins 2 of 3 categories. Both are solid choices — the best pick depends on your specific goals.
400 mcg/day for anyone planning or capable of pregnancy (USPSTF: 400-800 mcg); adult RDA 400 mcg DFE/day, 600 mcg DFE in pregnancy, 500 mcg DFE in lactation (IOM)
any
Folic acid (pteroylmonoglutamic acid)
900 mg/day of standardized spearmint extract (or 2 cups of spearmint herbal tea daily)
Morning with breakfast, Evening with dinner (split dosing mirrors clinical trial protocols)
Standardized aqueous extract (high-rosmarinic acid)
Periconceptional
Weeks
Weeks to months
2–4 weeks
4–12 weeks
4–8 weeks
8–16 weeks
Prevention of the first occurrence of neural-tube defects by periconceptional vitamin supplementation.
N Engl J Med (1992) · Rct
Randomised trial of periconceptional vitamin supplementation for prevention of a FIRST neural tube defect (PubMed publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Clinical Trial)
Prevention of neural tube defects: results of the Medical Research Council Vitamin Study. MRC Vitamin Study Research Group.
Lancet (1991) · Rct
Randomised, multicentre trial of periconceptional folic acid for prevention of RECURRENT neural tube defects (PubMed publication types: Randomized Controlled Trial, Multicenter Study, Comparative Study)
Effects and safety of periconceptional oral folate supplementation for preventing birth defects.
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015) · Meta analysis
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews CD007950, third edition (PubMed publication types: Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review)
An evidence-based systematic review of spearmint by the natural standard research collaboration.
Journal of dietary supplements (2010) · Systematic review
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) has demonstrated anti-androgenic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties in available literature.
A systematic review of the efficacy of alternative medicine in the treatment of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy.
Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology : the journal of the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2020) · Systematic review
Spearmint syrup was identified as one of several herbal alternatives showing efficacy for mild-to-moderate pregnancy nausea and vomiting.
Spearmint herbal tea has significant anti-androgen effects in polycystic ovarian syndrome. A randomized controlled trial.
Phytotherapy research : PTR (2010) · Rct · n=42
Forty-one of 42 patients completed this 30-day RCT comparing spearmint tea twice daily to placebo herbal tea.
Based on 2 RCTs in women with PCOS/hirsutism. Tea form equivalent to ~400-600mg extract. Effects specific to women; men should avoid chronic high-dose use.
AI-estimated from published studies. Interpret as directional guidance.
Spearmint has a higher evidence score (6.2/10 vs 8/10) and wins in 2 of 3 categories.
No known interactions between Folic Acid and Spearmint have been documented in our database. However, always consult a healthcare provider before combining supplements.
The right pick depends on your goals. Answer a few quick questions for a personalised recommendation — or dig into the full evidence on each.