Peppermint Essential Oil
the plant
Family name: Lamiaceae/Labiatae - Lipflower/Mint Family
Botanical name: Mentha x piperita L.
Other names: Brandy mint, Menthe poivrée (Fr), Pfefferminze (Ge), Menta peperita (It), Yerba buena (Sp), Na´na, Lammam (Arabic)
Parts used: Leaves
Extraction: Steam distillation of the partly dried herb in flower, usually during July, August and September
Yield of essential oil: 1 kg oil from 70 - 100 kg of the semi-dried herb
Chance of adulteration in essential oils: Very common, often with the cheaper Cornmint oil or with synthetic highlights of menthol, menthone etc.
INCI-name on cosmetic product: Mentha piperita
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Peppermint is a perennial herb up to 1 meter high with underground runners by which it is easily propagated. The “white” peppermint has green stems and leaves, the “black” peppermint has dark green serrated leaves, purplish stems and reddish-violet flowers.
DISTRIBUTION
Peppermint is originally a cultivated hybrid between Mentha spicata (Spearmint) and Mentha aquatica (Water mint), known to have been propagated from before the seventeenth century England. Naturalized throughout Europe and America, it is cultivated worldwide. The oil is produced mainly in France, England, America, Russia, Bulgaria, Italy Hungary, Morocco and China.
HERBAL & FOLK TRADITION
Peppermint has been cultivated since ancient times in China and Japan. In Egypt evidence of a type of peppermint has been found in tombs dating from 1000 BC. It has been used extensively in Eastern and Western medicine for a variety of complaints, including indigestion, nausea, sore throat, diarrhea, headaches, toothaches and cramps.
It is current in the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia for intestinal colic, flatulence, common cold, vomiting in pregnancy and dysmenorrhea.
SENSORY
Appearance: A mobile pale green-yellow fluid
Taste: Pungent
Aroma: Sweet-herbaceous aroma moving into fresh-pungent, somewhat peppery overtones
Perfumery status: A head note of high intensity and poor persistence
FruFloRa Principle: Flo-note (Heart note)
Aromatherapy - home use
Skin care: Acne, dermatitis, ringworm, scabies, toothache.
Circulation muscles and joints: Neuralgia, muscular pain, palpitations.
Respiratory system: Asthma, respiratory infection, congestion, bronchitis, halitosis, sinusitis, spasmodic cough.
When inhaled is steam, it checks catarrh temporarily and will provide relief from head colds and bronchitis. Its antispasmodic action combines well with this to make it a most useful inhalation in asthma.
Digestive system: Colic, cramp, dyspepsia, flatulence, nausea.
Immune system: Colds, flu, fevers.
Nervous system: Fainting, headache, mental fatigue, migraine, nervous stress, vertigo, stimulant, invigorating, energizing.
BLENDS WELL WITH
Benzoin, Clary Sage, Rosemary, Lavender, Marjoram, Lemon, Eucalyptus and other mints.
OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION
Chakra: Throat chakra
Astrological sign: Capricorn
Planet: Saturn
Element: Air
Quality: Yang
Dosha effect: P K-, V o
Chinese medicine functions and indications
Aroma energy: Pungent, green
Movement: Rising, circulating
Warmth: Neutral
Meridian tropism: Spleen, Stomach, Gallbladder, Bladder, Lung
Five-element affinity: Wood, Earth
Essential function: To activate the Qi, raise the Yang and strengthen the Shen
Safety data
Safety summary: Chloretic, neurotoxic, mucous membrane irritation (low risk), non-irritant, slightly sensitizing.
Contraindications: Cardiac fibrillation, G6PD deficiency, Cholestasis (oral), GERD (oral)
Maximal dermal use level: 5.4%
Note! - Not for children under 3 years old. Do not apply to or near the face of infants or children. Diffusing with babies over 3 months is ok!
ALLERGENS
Limonene, Limonene (D-(+)-Limonene), Linalool
USED IN PRODUCTS
Rise & Shine - Therapeutic morning scent
Resources
Aromatica vol 1. - Peter Holmes LAc, MhEssential Oil Safety - Tisserand and Young
The Energetics of Western Herbs - Peter Holmes
The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils - Julia Lawless
Ayurveda & Aromatherapy - Dr. Light Miller, ND and Dr. Bryan Miller, DC
Aromainfo Database - www.aroma-database.com
Tisserand Institute - Essential Oil Education