Peppermint Oil
Common name: Peppermint or Mentha Oil
Botanical name: Mentha piperita
Family: Lamiaceae (Labiatae)
Habitat regions: North America, Southern and Central Europe
Common method of extraction: Steam distillation
Part of plant used: Whole plant and especially leaves and flowers
Color: Colorless to slightly yellow
Scent: Strong minty, camphorous
Combines well with: Lavender, Geranium, Rosemary, Rose, Lemon, Mandarin, Lime, Juniper and Sandalwood oil
Description: Peppermint or Mentha has been used since antiquity both as medicine, scent and spice. In “Ebers Papyrus’, which is one of the oldest existing text, is mentioned that peppermint was used for aid digestion. 
It is said that the name mentha derives from Minthe, the legendary nymph who had been changed into plant mint by Persephone, the wife of god of death Pluto because she envied Pluto’s love for Minthe. Peppermint Oil is well known for its great analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and digestive properties. Nowadays, it is used for deodorising the air due to its strong cooling aroma, for soothing various conditions of digestive system, for treating skin issues, coxalgia and even as a insect repellent.
Peppermint oil properties
|
High |
Middle |
Low |
| Analgesic | Hypertensive | Anti-inflammatory |
| Antimicrobial | Anti-infectious | |
| Tonic | Expectorant | |
| Peptic | Antipyretic | |
| Nervine | Pesticide | |
| Insecticide | ||
| Emmenagogue | ||
| Antispasmodic | ||
| Antiseptic |
Therapeutic action
|
|
High |
Middle |
Low |
| Neurology | Migraine | Stress | |
| Depression | |||
| Exhaustion | |||
| Mental exhaustion | |||
| Neuralgia | |||
| Convulsions | |||
| Neurasthenia | |||
| Unconsciousness | |||
| Digestion | Headache due to digestive issue | Dyspepsia | |
| Flatulence | |||
| Nausea | |||
| Vomiting | |||
| Atony due to peptic issue | |||
| Skin | Eczema | ||
| Itching | |||
| Dermatitis | |||
| General Health Care | Pancreatic insufficiency | ||
| Otolaryngology (ENT) | Rhinitis | ||
| Otitis | |||
| Sinusitis | |||
| Infections | Influenza | ||
| Fever | |||
| Yellow Fever | |||
| Pneumology | Cough | ||
| Tuberculosis | |||
| Bronchitis | |||
| Hepatic diseases | Hepatic Failure | ||
| Urology | Cystitis | ||
| Nephritic colic | |||
| Dentistry | Tooth pain | ||
| Catamenia | Dysmenorrhoea | ||
| Amenorrhoea | |||
| Cardiology | Arterial hypotension | ||
| Venereology | Prostatitis | ||
| Rheumatology | Coxalgia |
Precautions: Peppermint oil is non irritant and non toxic at low dose. However, you should always be cautious when using it and keep in mind that it may cause skin sensitization. Moreover, people with high blood pressure, who take cyclosporine, women during pregnancy and lactation should avoid using peppermint oil. Never use it to children or babies without the guidance of an experienced aromatherapist because it can cause jaundice.
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