| Specifics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Country of Orgin: | India | Extraction Method: | Steam Distillation |
| Chemical Families: | Monoterpenols | Plant Parts: | Leaves |
| Cultivations: | Distiller is Certified Organic | Botanical Families: | Lamiaceae |
| Aromas: | Fresh, Minty | Notes: | Top/Middle |
Personal Experience, Research, Possible Actions
Peppermint in a foot bath 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!
This oil, being high in Menthol, tends to form crystals in cool temperatures. If this should happen, just place the bottle of oil in a warm bowl of water and the crystals will dissolve.
Learn More
Traditional Knowledge
- Analgesic - numbs pain, antifungal, anti-infectious
- Anti-oxidant
- Antibacterial
- Anticoagulant
- Anti-inflammatory - alleviates inflammation
- Antimicrobial
- Antispasmodic - relieves spasms and cramps
- Antitussive- helps reduce coughing
- Carminative/tonic - settles digestion and may assist in preventing gas
- Circulatory Stimulant
- Hypotensive
- Reduces Tension Headaches
- Skin Penetration Enhancer
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
Migraines:
6 drops Peppermint (Mentha arvensis)
7 drops Frankincense
4 drops lavender
Add to 1 oz jojoba oil and rub on the back of your neck as soon as any signs of a headache appear.
References:
Lawless J. The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Elemental Books Limited, England, 1995
Aromahead Institute's Component Database
Robert Tatina @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database / USDA SCS. 1989. Midwest wetland flora: Field office illustrated guide to plant species. Midwest National Technical Center, Lincoln. picture
Safety
- Oils containing significant amounts of Menthol should be avoided with anticoagulant drugs such as Warfarin (coumadin). Menthol is a known anticoagulant and may potentiate the effects of the drugs, as the essential oil component is offering the same action as the drug.
- May be a central nervous system stimulant
- Reports exist of instant collapse in infants following the local application of pure menthol to their noses.
- Do not use this oil with children under 5 years old.
- Menthol can not be metabolized by people with a C6PD deficiency (a red blood cell enzyme deficiency). This does not seem to concern the diluted use of Peppermint on the skin as the warnings are for internal use.
- Do not use with calcium channel blockers
- Do not use high menthol oil with cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder)
- Skin irritant
