Peppermint

Mentha × piperita

History

Peppermint is a hybrid, or a cross, between watermint and spearmint. It grows abundantly in Europe, Asia, and North America. And though there are many wild varieties, the Black Peppermint variety–with its  purplish stems–is the most popular among commercial growers. 

Peppermint has square purple-ish stems, dark green leaves that are slightly fuzzy, dark veins, and produces light purple flowers. Peppermint is very aromatic as it has a very high menthol content. 

Because Peppermint is a hybrid, it is sterile and produces no seeds. However it can spread quite easily either through cuttings from a parent plant or, in the vast majority of cases, through stolons, or runners, which grow at the soil surface or just below the ground from the parent plant and allow the plant to produce more of itself.

Peppermint is so good at spreading that it can easily become invasive in a home garden. In fact, in some areas of the world (such as the Galapagos, Australia, and New Zealand) it has spread so much that it is considered an invasive species, competing for resources endemic flora.

Tastes like Christmas

Peppermint’s cool minty-ness comes from a compound called menthol. It  contains 40 percent menthol, compare that to spearment’s menthol content of a mere 0.5 percent.

USE: Topical | Diffusion 

Peppermint oil: Humans haver reached for the healing powers of peppermint since time immemorial. It has been used in traditional medicine as an aromatic, antimicrobial, antifungal, analgesic, antispasmodic and antiseptic in treating indigestion, nausea, sore throat, colds, toothaches, cramps and cancers. Peppermint is used in numerous forms such as oil, leaf, leaf extract, and teas. The essential oil is thought to have the greatest use.

Blends Well With

Best Blends

  • Eucalyptus
  • Lavender
  • Lemon
  • Pine
  • Rosemary

Also

  • Basil
  • Coriander
  • Frankincense
  • Geranium
  • Black Pepper
  • Ginger
  • Myrrh
  • Orange
  • Spearmint
  • Ylang Ylang

Key Benefits

  • Deodorant
  • Breath freshener
  • Analgesic (Pain relief)
  • Antispetic
  • Cooling and toning effects on skin
  • Eases digestive upsets, nausea, gas
  • Relieves nausea and vomiting
  • Figts cold symptoms
  • Expectorant
  • Insect Repellent
  • Headache relief
  • Stimulating
  • Mental focus
  • Supports respiratory system

Safety

Do not apply on or near the face of infants and children

Do not use in conjunction with homeopathic remedies

Max dermal concentration: 5%

Do not ingest*

Avoid if you have cardiac fibrillation or G6PD deficiency

Do not apply undiluted to skin or near mucous membranes

*In a section below I have included 1 or 2 recipes that involve ingestion. However I have used them in my family for a number of years, we use organic and very high quality oils, and we don’t take it long-term. Refrain using on children or frail people. Use your best judgement and proceed at your own risk.

Diffusing Blends

Brand New Day

  • 3 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Lemongrass
  • 1 drop Peppermint

Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go

  • 4 drops Geranium
  • 3 drops Rosemary
  • 2 drops Peppermint

Good Vibes Only

  • 7 drops Grapefruit
  • 5 drops Rosemary
  • 4 drops Peppermint

Citrus Fresh

  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Orange
  • 3 drops Lime

Home

  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Orange
  • 3 drops Frankincense

Gifts Under the Tree

  • 4 drops Peppermint
  • 1 drop Ylang Ylang

Mint Candy

  • 4 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Bergamot

Christmas Carols

  • 4 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Cinnamon

Ivy League

  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Rosemary
  • 1 drop Orange (optional)

Deodorizer

  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Lemongrass

Focus 1

  • 2 drops of Cedarwood
  • 2 drops of Rosemary
  • 1 drop Peppermint

You Lift Me Up (Mood Boost)

  • 5 drops of Peppermint
  • 5 drops of Lime
  • 5 drops of Lemon

Bronchitis

  • 15 drops Eucalyptus
  • 10 drops Cedarwood
  • 8 drops Peppermint

 

First Aid and Medicinal Icon

Healing

Healthy Smiles

A mock recipe of OraWellness’ Healthy Mouth blend which is VERY good for teeth and gums. This is my attempt to do a similar (but much less spicier) blend with a lower Cinnamon concentration:

The Master Blend:

  • 5 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Spearmint
  • 2 drops Cinnamon or Cassia (15% of master blend)
  • 1 drop Clove
  • 1 drop Myrrh
  • 1 drop Manuka

Mix ingredients in a small glass bottle. This is your Healthy Smiles master blend. Add 1 drop of master blend to 10 mL (2 tsp) of Sweet Almond oil. Apply 2-3 drops of this diluted blend to your toothbrush every time you brush your teeth for healthy gums. You can also massage this directly onto your gums if you are experiencing pain. Do not swallow!

Sprains and Strains Pain Blend

  • 2 drops Peppermint
  • 2 drops Yarrow

Use blend in a cold compress. 

Topical Application

Headache

3% dilution for shoulders, back of neck, arms. Use when you start feeling the symptoms:

  • 5 Lavender
  • 4 Peppermint
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil OR lotion

Headache 2

5% dilution*. Apply to wrists, back of neck, temples. Use when you start feeling the symptoms:

  • 6 drops Peppermint
  • 5 drops Frankincense
  • 4 drops Lavender
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil OR lotion

* 5% dilution rate is fine for short-term spot treatment.

Arthritis Pain blend

3% dilution:

  • 3 Frankincense Serrata
  • 3 Peppermint
  • 3 Turmeric
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil

Sore muscles

3% dilution:

  • 4 drops of Peppermint
  • 1 drops of Lavender
  • 2 drops of Roman Chamomile
  • 2 drops of Rosemary
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) carrier oil

Additional remedies on the Wellness box below!

 

Wellness

Headaches and Migraines

Tea: Drink 1–2 cups of cool tea daily to experience fewer migraines.

Tension Headache Roll-On: Mix 6 drops lavender, 5 drops marjoram, and 3 drops peppermint with 10 mL carrier oil (5% dilution rate). Massage onto temples and back of the neck.

Migraine Headache Roll-On: Mix 4 drops lavender, 4 drops peppermint, 2 drops marjoram, and 2 drops copaiba with 10 mL carrier oil (4% dilution rate). Massage onto temples and back of the neck.

Migraine Headache Roll-On #2: Mix 4 drops peppermint, 3 drops sweet Marjoram, 2 drops Basil, 2 drops helichrysum, 2 drops lavender, 2 drops rosemary with 10 mL carrier oil (5% dilution rate). Massage onto temples, nape, back of the neck, jaw.

Cold peppermint compresses: In a bowl of cold water, drop 3-5 drops of peppermint essential oil. Drape cloth over the surface of the water so that it catches most of the oil droplets on the surface. Wring cloth. Apply compress to forehead. This aids in headaches, mental fatigue, stress, palpitations, vertigo, dizziness, and fainting attacks.

Digestion Aid

Massage oil #1: Mix 3 drops of peppermint with 10 mL carrier oil (1% dilution rate) for a massage oil. Gently massage your stomach to ease gas and stomach cramps.

Massage oil #2: Mix 1 drop each of fennel, pepeprmint, and chamomile roman with a 10 mL carrier oil (1% dilution rate) for a massage oil. Massage to stomach with gentle circular motion to ease gas, colic pain, etc.

Indigestion after a meal: Honey drink. Mix 1 drop of peppermint with a tablespoon of honey in a glass. Add 1/2 cup of warm water and drink.

Constipation: Happy gut syrup. Mix 1 drop each of fennel essential oil, peppermint essential oil, and ginger oil, with 1 large spoonful of honey. Take 1 teaspoon of this mix before meals.

Nausea

The followign are good to use when you have nausea or vomiting caused by food or travel sickness

Honey Drink: Mix 1 drop of peppermint with a tablespoon of honey in a glass. Add 1/2 cup of warm water and drink.

Portable Inhaler: Place 2 drops of peppermint essential oil on a tissue or hankerchief and inhale as needed. 

Colds and Cough

Inhalations #1: Add 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Drape a towel over your head, lean over the bowl of steaming water, and inhale for 5-10 minutes. Works as a decongestant to help clear sinuses and congested lungs

Inhalations #2: Add 3 drops each of peppermint and eucalyptus oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Drape a towel over your head, lean over the bowl of steaming water, and inhale for  5-10 minutes

Inhalations #3: Add 2 drops each of peppermint, eucalyptus, and thyme oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Drape a towel over your head, lean over the bowl of steaming water, and inhale for  5-10 minutes

Cough & Sore Throat Syrup. Add 1 drop each of lemon oil, frankincense oil, pepermint oil, and roman chamomile to a large spoonful of honey. Take as needed.

Hot Tea: Stimulate the immune system and relieve the congestion. Add a tablespoon of honey for its antiseptic properties.

Hot Bath: Mix 3 drops peppermint oil, 3 drops marjoram oil, and 4 drops lavender oil in ½ ounce (1 tablespoon) of your chosen bath base. A bath base is basically your foaming product (castille soap, bubble bath, etc). Drink a cup of peppermint and lemon tea while in the bath.

Featured in Episode 19

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