Peppermint oil

The Roman natural philosopher Pliny wrote of mint that it “excites the mind and a voracious appetite for food.” But also that it stimulates the mind and soul, by tying mint into a crown around the head. Pliny, Hippocrates and Aristotle viewed mint as an anti-fertility agent, saying that it discouraged sexual intercourse. The Greeks, on the other hand, believed that mint encouraged sexual behavior and so forbade its use by soldiers to maintain control.

Mint is one of the oldest naturopathic plants in the world and has held an important place since ancient times, both culturally and in folk remedies. Peppermint was used by the Greeks for stomach and urinary tract problems. For headaches, the leaves were applied to the temples and face. In ancient Rome and Egypt, mint was known for its antispasmodic effect on the digestive system. Peppermint was first mentioned as an herbal remedy in Icelandic pharmacopoeias as early as 1240 AD, and gained popularity over the next two centuries. In the Middle Ages, monks are known to have used mint to polish their teeth. During the same period, cheesemakers learned that the strong smell of mint kept rats and mice out of warehouses. Meanwhile, peppermint’s antispasmodic, cooling, and analgesic properties have been confirmed by research. Its smell and action are largely due to the presence of menthol, the main compound (40 to 50%) in mint. In addition, mint is one of the most popular fragrances in the world. It is used in foods, toothpaste, chewing gum, cleaning products, and beverages (including mint cream). However, the scent is almost never used in the perfume industry.

Origin and Characteristics of Peppermint

Mentha Piperita, better known as Peppermint, owes its name “piperita” to its specific strong peppery aroma, which distinguishes it from other members of the mint family. Mint species easily crossbreed, creating many hybrids. Peppermint is one of those hybrid mint plants, a cross between water mint and peppermint. How large the Mentha family actually is remains unclear, as is the origin of this plant. Mint is grown in many parts of the world today for its refreshing aroma and flavour, as well as for its menthol, which is extracted by freezing. Peppermint is a herbaceous rhizomatous perennial plant. The fleshy rhizomes are widely spreading and bear fibrous roots. Peppermint’s dark green leaves have a pointed tip and coarsely toothed margins and have reddish veins. The leaves and stems are usually slightly hairy. The flowers are small, lilac-purple in colour, and are borne in whorls around the stems to form thick, blunt spikes. Peppermint is a fast-growing plant – once it germinates, it spreads very quickly – and is commonly found in damp habitats, including stream banks and drainage ditches. Being a hybrid, peppermint is sterile, does not produce seeds, and reproduces only vegetatively, spreading by its own shoots.

Fresh or dried peppermint leaves are used to make peppermint tea or combined with other herbs in herbal teas. Mint is also used to flavor ice cream, candy, canned fruit, alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, toothpaste, and some shampoos, soaps, and skin care products.

Peppermint oil is an essential oil obtained from the stems and dried leaves of the peppermint plant. The resulting oil is 35-60% levomenthol (menthol) and is processed in numerous ways. Peppermint oil has a stimulating and restorative effect, and has cooling, calming, and analgesic properties. The refreshing, penetrating menthol aroma of peppermint oil makes it ideal for aromatherapy.

Peppermint Oil and Its Benefits

Peppermint oil has a wide range of action! It is bactericidal (including Staphylococcus aureus), virucidal, slightly fungicidal, antiparasitic (scabies), anti-inflammatory (especially intestines, urinary tract and respiratory tract), slightly expectorant, cooling, antispasmodic, analgesic (including headache, migraine), antipruritic, antiemetic (anti-nausea), regenerating, stimulating and cleansing the skin. Peppermint is an expectorant and antispasmodic for respiratory diseases such as colds, flu and (dry) cough. In Russia, peppermint oil is associated with the fight against tuberculosis: inhaling the vapors prevents relapses and exacerbations of the disease. Researchers call peppermint inhalations a good complement to treatment. Peppermint tea and peppermint oil are an old remedy for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy, after surgery, during chemotherapy, or for motion sickness.

Menthol activates cold-sensitive receptors in the skin and mucous tissues, which is the main source of the cooling sensation that occurs after topical application of peppermint oil.

Skin Care – This essential oil is suitable for oily skin, it is cooling, relieves itching (hives and eczema), and soothing. Peppermint oil applied to the skin has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect on infected wounds and acne. Peppermint also fights the herpes simplex virus, which causes cold sores. Apply a drop of oil directly to a developing cold sore.

Peppermint oil is often used in cosmetic products, although research on its potential benefits for hair and skin is limited. A small study found that topical application of peppermint oil improved chronic itching.

Antimicrobial – Peppermint oil has mild antimicrobial properties. Various studies have been conducted to determine its effectiveness against different types of bacteria and fungi, with mixed results. One study found that incubating peppermint oil with several strains of Staphylococcus aureus (some of which are resistant to antibiotics) inhibited the production of an important bacterial toxin, an effect that increased with increasing doses of peppermint oil. In another study, peppermint oil showed no antimicrobial activity against one type of Streptococcus.

Pain Relief – Peppermint oil’s cooling effect also provides pain relief. This dual effect is particularly useful for tension headaches, and it works even faster than common over-the-counter products. When peppermint is applied to the temples and forehead, it activates the cold sensors in the skin. This has a pain-relieving side effect that can also help with migraines and related symptoms such as nausea and photosensitivity. Even nerve pain caused by shingles (post-herpetic neuralgia) can also be treated with pure peppermint oil.

Peppermint Oil and Aromatherapy

The fresh and slightly pungent scent of peppermint has a stimulating effect on the brain. Peppermint oil is healing, energizing and has a strong invigorating effect. It increases concentration by sending energy to the head and brain.

An invigorating bath – useful for respiratory infections, nerve pain, headaches, itching and poorly functioning liver and pancreas. For children under 6, the cooling effect of the bath may be too strong.

Aromatic Vaporizer – Peppermint oil brings a fresh, clean scent to the room. The oil mixes well with other essential oils such as lemon, eucalyptus, lavender, orange and tea. Peppermint has a stimulating effect, increases alertness, has an invigorating effect, promotes motivation and dispels mental fatigue, improving concentration. This makes peppermint a good oil for study and work. Peppermint oil has a fresh and purifying effect on the air.

Safe Use of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint essential oil is a very concentrated oil and therefore should always be properly diluted before topical use. Just a few drops are needed per ounce of carrier oil such as almond, jojoba or argan oil. It is recommended to first test on a small area of ​​skin and wait 24 hours to detect any skin reactions such as rash or irritation. Baths and massages are not recommended for sensitive skin.

Like other essential oils, peppermint oil is not intended for internal use.