Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Peppermint

4.9 - 2132 reviews
Peppermint essential oil has stimulating effects appreciated for revitalizing the body and mind. Traditionally known for helping to relieve nausea and headaches, it is also used to soothe itching.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Possible but not recommended

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Possible but not recommended

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Possible but not recommended

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

    Not recommended

  • Food grade

    Food grade

    Suitable

Features

Properties

Precautions

Find out more

Features

Production process

Complete steam distillation

Part of the plant used

Aerial parts

Botanical name

Mentha x piperita Franco-Mitcham

Warning

The properties, information and methods of use below are quotes from reference books or websites on aromatherapy, hydrolatherapy and phytotherapy. This general information is provided for informative purposes only and in no way constitutes medical guidance. Under no circumstances can this information be used as a substitute for a medical diagnosis, consultation or follow-up, nor can it incur our liability. We recommend that you consult the guide to essential oils before using them, so that you are aware of any precautions that need to be taken. If in doubt, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Properties

Peppermint essential oil is traditionally used for: Bruises, blows, bumps, haematomas and vomiting, nausea

Health

Wellness

Kitchen

Find out more

Properties

Peppermint essential oil is renowned for the following health benefits:

  • Tonic and stimulant for the digestive, pancreatic and nervous systems.

  • Anaesthetic and analgesic, calms itching.

  • Refreshing

  • Anticatarrhal, expectorant, mucolytic

  • Nasal decongestant, clears the respiratory tract

  • Promotes healthy liver and prostate function

  • Studies prove its bactericidal and fungicidal qualities

  • Intestinal and urinary anti-inflammatory

  • Emmenagogue, promotes menstruation

Uses

It is traditionally used to improve the following conditions:

  • Hepatopancreatic insufficiency

  • Indigestion, dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, flatulence

  • Motion sickness, vertigo

  • Neuralgia, arthritis, rheumatism, tendonitis, migraines, headaches

  • Shingles, herpes, viral neuritis

  • Rhinitis, sinusitis, ear infections

  • Urogenital tract discomfort

Synergies

  • Refreshing compositions for diffusing: Lavender, cypress, rosewood, and rosemary essential oils,, etc.

  • Congested nose: Ravintsara essential oil, etc. .

  • Itch-prone skin: Blue tansy essential oil, etc.

  • Digestive comfort: Wild cumin essential oil, etc.

In practice

Joint comfort: Mix into your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the area concerned (very powerful cooling effect).

Headaches: Mix with your oil blend. Apply your mixture locally, massaging lightly into the temples (very powerful cooling effect).

To freshen the atmosphere: Use as an air diffuser, in synergy with other essential oils.

Precautions

  • Do not use in pregnant or breastfeeding women, or in children under 6 years old.

  • May have a stimulating effect on ovarian function, thus stimulating estrogen. Not recommended in cases of estrogen-dependent pathologies: mastosis, endometriosis, fibroids, or estrogen-dependent cancer (breast, ovary, endometrium).

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • At high doses, may cause skin irritation.

  • Internal use only in limited doses and for short durations, on the advice of a therapist.

  • Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.

  • Always use diluted.

  • Some natural compounds in this essential oil may cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals when incorporated into a cosmetic formulation.

  • Avoid using old or oxidized essential oils. Store away from light and air.

  • As a general rule, always perform a patch test by applying your preparation to the inside of your elbow at least 48 hours before use.

  • For use as a cosmetic ingredient, refer to specific precautions.

Find out more

Peppermint is a perennial botanical plant belonging to the Lamiaceae family. There are several species in the mint family, and therefore several different scents. This mint has a strong , cool scent. This plant, which can grow up to 50 cm tall, is primarily aromatic and medicinal. In fact, it is the mint most commonly used in phytotherapy. Its dark green leaves turn reddish in the sun. They contain an essential oil composed mainly of menthol. Dried leaves were found in the Egyptian pyramids, testifying to the plant's use in ancient times.

Like all mints, it has aromatic and digestive properties. But its field of application is vast. It has long been used to treat headaches, nausea and motion sickness. Stimulating and invigorating, peppermint essential oil is very effective in cases of mental, physical or sexual fatigue. An analgesic and anaesthetic, peppermint leaves were widely used as a poultice to soothe pain caused by rheumatism and osteoarthritis, as well as in cases of shock or trauma. When diffused, the essential oil will purify and freshen the air around you!

I always buy your essential oils for diffusion and they are great!

A
A

Excellent

A
A

Very happy

B
B

Formidable for headaches

E
Elodie

Magnificent, I recommend it, thank you

K
K

Equivalents

Essential Oils

1 ml = approximately 35 drops (with our Aroma-Zone dropper caps)

Carrier Oils

1 pump (Aroma-Zone aluminium pump) = approx. 0.15 ml

Mass / Volume conversion (for a liquid)

Mass (g) = Density x Volume (ml) at 20°C

Further information

1 full teaspoon = between 3 and 4.5 ml

1 full tablespoon = between 7.5 and 10 ml


However, these spoon ratios depend on a number of factors (e.g. viscosity of the liquid, temperature, depth and size of the spoon, rheological behaviour of the liquid), and we strongly advise you to use precise measuring equipment, such as graduated test tubes, graduated pipettes, and precision scales.

Aromatherapy recipes from the bibliography

EO = Essential Oil VO = Vegetable Oil or Oily macerated oil

Dental abscess (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingMouth care

  • Clove essential oil: 1 drop

  • Bay laurel essential oil: 1 drop

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

  • St John's wort: 2 drops

Use: 2 drops of the mixture 3 times a day, applied locally to the abscess.

Reduced concentration (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Tropical basil 2 ml

  • Scots pine essential oil 1 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil 2 ml

  • Black pepper essential oil 1 ml

Use: 2 drops of the mixture on 1/4 sugar cube morning and noon before meals.

Poor digestion (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • Cumin essential oil: 1 drop

  • Basil essential oil: 1 drop

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

Use: On a suitable base (honey, sugar, maple syrup) 3 times a day.

Headache in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Lavandin super essential oil: 1 ml

  • Tropical basil essential oil: 1 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 2 ml

Use: 2 to 3 drops of the mixture applied topically to areas of pain as required.

Arthritis / sciatica in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Helichrysum essential oil: 2 drops

  • American wintergreen essential oil: 1 drop

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

  • Lemon eucalyptus essential oil: 3 drops

  • Vetiver essential oil: 1 drop

Use: 3 to 4 drops of the mixture applied locally to the painful area 3 to 4 times a day for 10 days.

Lumbago (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingMuscles and joints

  • Bay laurel essential oil: 1 drop

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

  • Lemon eucalyptus essential oil: 2 drops

Use: Apply locally 3 to 5 times a day.

Intestinal bloating (T. Telphon)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

Local treatment:

  • Cumin essential oil: 2 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 2 ml

  • Cardamom essential oil: 2 ml

  • St John's wort carrier oil: 30 ml

  • Olive carrier oil: 30 ml

Use: Massage the stomach in a clockwise direction. Repeat 1 or 2 times a day if necessary Aroma-Zone note: St John's wort macerated oil may cause photosensitivity. Do not expose yourself to the sun after applying this preparation.

Nausea/vomiting (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingDigestive problems

  • Peppermint essential oil 3 ml

  • Tarragon essential oil 2 ml

  • Lemon essential oil 2 ml

Use: 3 drops of the mixture on 1/4 of a sugar cube to suck as required.

Hot flushes (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingHormonal and metabolic disorders

  • Peppermint essential oil: 3 ml

  • Cypress essential oil: 2 ml

  • Helichrysum essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 2 drops of the mixture on 1/4 of a sugar cube or in a teaspoon of olive carrier oil to be swallowed 2 or 3 times a day as needed and 2 applications a day of 3 drops diluted in 3 drops of carrier oil on the solar plexus.

Itchy skin (pruritus) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingSkin problems

  • True lavender essential oil: 2 drops

  • Helichrysum essential oil: 1 drop

  • Roman chamomile essential oil: 2 drops

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 drop

  • Calendula macerated oil: 2 ml

Use: 3 to 4 drops of the mixture applied locally to the skin 3 to 4 times a day until improvement.

Migraines, headaches (Aroma News - NARD)

Health & wellbeingNerve pain and disorders

  • Artemisia dracunculus (tarragon) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Mentha piperita (peppermint) essential oil: 2 ml

  • Lavandula latifolia spica (spike lavender) essential oil: 3 ml

  • Gaultheria procumbens (American wintergreen) essential oil: 1 ml

  • St John's wort carrier oil: add up to 15 ml extra as required for product optimisation

Use: 3 drops locally until improvement Aroma-Zone note: St John's wort macerated oil carries a risk of photosensitivity. Do not expose your skin to the sun after applying this mixture.

Concentration problems in children (over 6 years and on medical advice) (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingChildren's medical care

  • Ravintsara essential oil: 1 ml

  • Clove essential oil: 0.2 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 ml

  • Jojoba carrier oil: add up to 15 ml extra as required for product optimisation

Use: Apply 3 drops of the mixture to the solar plexus and the inside of the wrists, repeating as necessary.

Physical fatigue in adults (D. Baudoux)

Health & wellbeingLow energy, fatigue

  • Black pepper essential oil: 1 ml

  • Black spruce essential oil: 2 ml

  • Scots pine essential oil: 2 ml

  • Peppermint essential oil: 1 ml

  • Balsam fir essential oil: 1 ml

Use: 4 drops of the mixture applied to the lower back (level with the kidneys) morning and noon for one week Aroma-Zone note: Dilute this mixture in a little carrier oil before application.

Persistent fatigue (D. Festy)

Health & wellbeingLow energy, fatigue

  • Lemon essential oil

  • Peppermint essential oil

  • Basil essential oil

  • Scots pine essential oil

Use: mix equal parts in a 10 ml bottle and diffuse in living areas for 1 hour in the morning and afternoon.