Peppermint Essential Oil (Mentha piperita)

Overview

Peppermint may also be referred to as English Peppermint, Mentha balsamea, Mentha x piperita. It is typically processed using steam distilled as a method for extracting oil from the leaves and flowers/buds.

Summary

Peppermint oil comes from the leaves of Mentha × piperita (also known as Mentha balsamea). It is particularly used for healing the digestive system.

The aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil is familiar and pleasant to most. Peppermint Oil is very intense and is far more concentrated than most other steam distilled essential oils. At low dilutions, it is fresh, minty and quite uplifting. Its a favorite around Christmas and the holidays, but is also popular year round.

Peppermint Essential Oil contains menthol. Menthol induces a cooling sensation, and use of Peppermint Oil (at low dilution) in a body mist or even in the diffuser can help to cool you down.

Menthol is also known to help ease tension headaches and muscular aches and pains.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Essential Facts

  • Aroma Description:

    Fresh Minty Strong

  • Common Name(s): English Peppermint, Mentha balsamea, Mentha x piperita
  • Botanical Family: Lamiaceae
  • Botanical Genus: Mentha
  • Major Compounds: Menthol, Menthone, Menthyl Acetate, Neomenthol, 1,8-Cineole, Menthofuran
  • Perfumery Note: Top
  • Consistency: Thin
  • Strength of Initial Aroma: Strong
  • Color: Clear with a Yellow Tinge
  • Processing Methods: Steam Distilled
  • Part Typically Used: Leaves and Flowers/Buds
  • Ethically and sustainably sourced Ethically and sustainably sourced
  • Vegan Vegan

Essential Details

Benefits & Uses

May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:

Aches Athlete's Foot Bad Breath Blisters Bodily Congestion Deodorant Diarrhea Feet : Tired & Aching Fever Flatulence Fleas ( Dogs ) Head Lice Headache Hypotension (Low Blood Pressure) Indigestion Insect Bites Jetlag Lice Menstruation : Cramp ( Dysmenorrhea ) Menstruation : Lack of Periods (Amenorrhea) Menstruation : P.M.T. Migraine Muscle Stiffness Nausea Nervous Conditions / Tension Poor Blood Circulation Scabies Sinusitis Skin : Dermatitis Weakness : Lack of Mental or Physical Strength

Therapeutic Benefits of Peppermint:

Anti-dontalgic Cicatrisant Diuretic Relaxant

Other Uses for Peppermint:

Hair Care

Cautions & Safety

Cautions when using Peppermint:

May irritate the skin or mucus membranes.

Tisserand and Young confirm that it is low risk as a mucous membrane irritant. Peppermint Oil is choleretic and can pose a risk of neurotoxicity. They recommend a maximum dermal use level of 5.4% and state that it should be avoided in instance of cardiac fibrillation and by those with a G6PD deficiency. Do not apply near the face of infants/children.Essential Oil Safetyis recommended reading for more complete information. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 387.]

This essential oil poses a higher risk of causing irritation and sensitization when used in the bath. Avoid using it in the bath, even if it is solubilized/diluted.

Safety Precautions for Peppermint:

Do not take any oils internally and do not apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. If you are pregnant, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, or have any other medical problem, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

Articles

Peppermint Articles or Publications:

Pepper, Black Essential Oil
Peppermint Essential Oil - English