Peppermint essential oil botanical name is Mentha piperita and from the family Lamiaceae (same as lavender). The oils are extracted from the whole plant but the CO2 extract is obtained from the leaves.
History & Information
Peppermint cannot reproduce and is grown through the root system and the plant is grown to a height of 1-3 feet. The plant is a cross between a number of wild mints and was known since the seventeenth century. The teas are brewed and used for digestive system problems and stimulate the bile and induce the bile to detoxify the body.
Mint was used in Chinese medicine to treat liver, depression, irregular menstruation, and pain. Peppermint was used in Europe for bowel irritation and herpes simplex and other viral organisms. The oil is used in many personal hygiene products such as aftershave lotions, colognes, and dental toothpaste.
Peppermint pure essential oil repels mosquitos for fifty minutes. Peppermint essential oil is sometimes adulterated with corn mint oil because it is less expensive.
Benefits:
Cooling
Improved digestion, soothes the intestines, relieves flatulence and nausea, increase appetite; freshens bad breath
Vapors open sinuses and breathing passages; deepens your breathing
Mood uplifting to those that have a slow metabolism, aphrodisiac; refreshing, reviving, stimulates the brain, nerves, and metabolism, increases mental clarity, alertness, and the ability to concentrate, sharpens the senses; encourages communication; helps to revive a person from a fainting spell or shock.
Increases physical strength and endurance
Relieves pain, inflammation, menstrual pain, and cramps
Reduces lactation
Repels insects, kills parasites
Soothes itching skin
Uses
Diffuse for aromatherapy benefits
Massage, diluted for physical ailments
Neat for headache and severe muscle pain and stiffness
Use with compress for muscle pain and stiffness
Whenever feeling queasy, open a bottle of peppermint oil and waft it under your nose and inhale deeply.
Add a few drops of peppermint oil and lavender oil to a carrier oil to relieve itchy bug bites.
Recipes
Cleaning Spray
Using essential oils to create your own cleaning spray is not only safe for the environment but is safe for your family as well. This spray is perfect for cleaning hard surfaces in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.
Ingredients:
16 oz. glass spray bottle
1/4 cup white vinegar ( not to be used on natural stone, or marble)
1¾ cups water
10 drops each of Eucalyptus, Peppermint, and Wild Orange Essential Oils
DIY Air Freshener Spray Formula:
Ingredients:
3/4 cup water (I use tap water, but distilled is fine too or get our unscented mister)
2 tablespoons vodka, rubbing alcohol, or real vanilla extract
10 drops Peppermint Essential oil
Combine in an 8oz spray bottle, shake well, and spray as needed.
DIY lip balm Ingredients
1-ounce beeswax
1-ounce coconut oil
½ ounce shea butter
½ ounce cocoa butter
20 drops Peppermint oil
10 drops Lavender oil
Note: This recipe makes three ounces of lip balm, so make sure you have enough containers. This recipe will make 20 lip balm tubes. You can always reduce the batch size by cutting the recipe in half.
Instructions
Line up empty containers. If using a lip balm stick, make sure it has been twisted down.
Measure butter and oils and place in a glass jar.
Fill a large saucepan with one to one and a half inches of water and bring to a boil.
Once boiling, add a glass jar to the center of the saucepan.
Stir every few minutes until ingredients are melted and combined.
Once the wax is melted, remove it from heat and let sit for three minutes then add essential oils.
Pour mixture into lip balm containers and let cool.
If you would like to make tinted lip balm, move to the next two steps.
Add a pinch of colored mineral makeup until you get your desired color. Stir until combined.
Pour tinted lip balm into containers and let cool.
Tip: If you want a harder lip balm, add an additional half-ounce of beeswax. For an even softer lip balm, add an additional half-ounce of coconut oil.
This lip balm makes a great gift and can easily be customized. Change the color or the scent by using a variety of mineral makeup and essential oils.
Which Oils Blend Well with Peppermint?
Peppermint’s strong, minty, invigorating, and sharp aroma presents a middle-top fragrance note for those who like to create their own blends. As a versatile oil, Peppermint blends well with other essential oils, including:
Cypress
Juniper Berry
Marjoram
Rosemary
Using Peppermint Essential Oil Safely
Always use Peppermint Essential Oil with caution. Do not apply the oil directly to the skin of children under the age of 6. Check with your healthcare provider before using if you’re pregnant or nursing. Apply with a carrier oil for topical application. Click here for dilution rates. Peppermint essential oil can be a dermal irritant for sensitive individuals. Peppermint irritates the mucous membranes. This essential oil helps in some cases of indigestion, but it can make acid reflux, Gerd, and Harper, and worse in many instances. Those with epilepsy should avoid peppermint essential oil. Because it can stimulate menstrual flow, Pregnant women should avoid peppermint essential oil.
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