Peppermint Mentha x piperita
Specifics
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| Country of Origin: India | Extraction Method: Steam Distilled |
| Chemical Families: Monoterpenols, Ketones | Plant Part: Leaves |
| Cultivation: Unsprayed | Botanical Families: Lamiaceae |
| Aromas: Fresh, Minty | |
| Note: Top/Middle |
Personal Experience, Research, Possible Actions
Peppermint in a footbath or a foot massage cream is one of the best things for tired, achy feet. It is stimulating and tingly. It has the advantage of being antifungal, anti-inflammatory, stimulating to the circulatory system, and analgesic. What more could you want for tired feet?
A strong cup of the Peppermint herb tea is a great remedy for an upset stomach. The essential oil can also be used to aid digestion: you can add 2 drops to an oz. of carrier and rub it on your belly for a similar effect.
Try it in a bathroom spray. It leaves the room smelling fresh. It is great to diffuse in very small amounts during the day, bringing a stimulating aroma into any room.
Great in cool compresses for nausea, headaches and travel sickness. Excellent in reducing acute, hot pain. Gets rid of ants!
The Indian distiller of this essential oil has been distilling essential oils for the past 20 years. His company uses their own essential oils to make a variety of aromatherapy products, and exports pure essential oils around the globe. Along with their own distilling they hire rural Indian farmers to grow aromatic plants and distill oil for them. These essential oils are distilled at the farmers’ fields in a portable distillery so that the flowers, roots, and leaves are fresh when distilled. The quality and vibrancy of their oils is unsurpassed.
Learn More
Traditional Knowledge
- Analgesic - numbs pain, antifungal, anti-infectious
- Anti-inflammatory - alleviates inflammation
- Antiseptic - assists in fighting germs/infections (urinary, pulmonary)
- Antispasmodic - relieves spasms and cramps
- Astringent - contracts and tightens tissue
- Carminative/tonic - settles digestion and may assist in preventing gas
- Cooling - reduces itching
- Febrifuge - reduces fever
- Decongestant
- Expectorant
- Immune stimulant
- Protects the liver
Emotional and Energetic Qualities
Clears energy
Uplifts and stimulates to the mind to combat fatigue
Awakens, refreshes
Stimulates digestion of new ideas and creativity
Supports self confidence
Recipe
Aching Foot Bath
1 drop Peppermint
Add to a tablespoon of Jojoba oil and put into a foot tub of cool water. Soak those feet for 10-15 minutes.
References:
1. Battaglia S. The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy. 2nd edition, The International Centre of Holistic Aromatherapy, Australia, 2003
2. Davis P. Aromatherapy an A-Z. New revised edition C.W. Daniel Company Limited, England, 1999
3. Keville, K. Aromatherapy, A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, The Crossing press, USA, 1995
4. Mojay G. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, Henry Holt and Company Inc., England, 1996
5. Price S. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone, 1999
6. Schnaubelt K. Advanced Aromatherapy, The Science of Essential Oil Therapy, Healing Arts Press, USA, 1998
7. Tisserand R. The Art of Aromatherapy, Healing Arts Press, USA, 1977
Safety Issues
May antidote homeopathic remedies. May cause skin irritation. Use in low dilution (1%) when applying to the skin. Avoid using Peppermint with children under 5 years; it\'s too strong. May be more therapeutically effective in small doses. I don\'t recommend adding it to a full body bath since it can easily be skin irritating, causing a burning sensation and reddening of your skin.
