Essential Oil Database

Photo: Mentha Piperita

Peppermint

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Mentha Piperita

Family Name:

Lamiaceae

Source Country:

USA

Plant Parts Used:

Leaves

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Pinene, limonene, phellandrene, menthol, menthone, menthyl, acetate, pulegone, carvone, cineol

Botanical Description

Photo: Mentha Piperita

Mentha Piperita is native to Europe, and cultivated worldwide. It is a hybrid perennial plant commonly known as Peppermint growing up to 1 meter tall. Its serrate dark green leaves are ovate growing from erect, square reddish purple stems. Small violet flowers grow from small spikes.

Peppermint has traditionally been used as a culinary herb, flavouring in food and drinks and in the cosmetics industry. It has also been used as a European medicinal herb.

Photo: Mentha Piperita

Fragrance

Peppermint essential oil has a fresh, penetrating, minty scent.

Peppermint essential oil is a pale yellow to green liquid.

Peppermint blends well with clary sage, cypress, cedarwood, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, rosemary, thyme and tea tree.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Mentha Piperita

Properties: analgesic, anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, bactericidal, cordial, decongestant, digestive, expectorant, fungicide, nervine, stimulant, stomachic.

Aids: digestion, lymph flow.

Alleviates: acne, asthma, bronchitis, bruising, colic, cramp, dermatitis, dyspepsia, fainting, flatulence, halitosis, headache, irritable bowel syndrome, migraine, , muscular aches and pains, nausea, neuralgia, ringworm, scabies, sinusitis, sprains, stress, swellings, toothache, vertigo.

Safety Data

Avoid use if pregnant.

Avoid during lactation.

May cause allergic reaction.

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.