Guide to essential oils

Essential oil of Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil stimulates and invigorates body and mind. Thanks to its fresh, pleasant scent, peppermint essential oil is traditionally known for helping to combat nausea, motion sickness and headaches. A cooling agent, peppermint essential oil can also be used to relieve itching.

How to use

  • Skin application and massage

    Skin application and massage

    Possible but not recommended

  • Diffusion

    Diffusion

    Appropriate

  • Cosmetic active ingredient

    Cosmetic active ingredient

    Appropriate

  • Aromatherapy bath

    Aromatherapy bath

  • 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

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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

  • Prohibited for pregnant and breastfeeding women, epileptics, children under 6 and the elderly.

  • STRICTLY FORBIDDEN FOR CHILDREN UNDER 30 MONTHS OF AGE (toxicity due to local contact: laryngeal or nasal reflex which may lead to respiratory arrest).

  • For occasional use in limited doses. Do not use for prolonged periods without the advice of an aromatherapist.

  • Irritant and powerful cooling effect: always dilute well, using no more than 30% for skin application. For very localised or diluted use only. Do not use in baths.

  • For diffusion, dilute with other milder essential oils (15% maximum).

  • Avoid contact with the eyes, do not apply too close to the eyes. Wash hands thoroughly after use.

  • May have a stimulating effect on ovarian function, not recommended in cases of oestrogen-dependent pathologies.

  • Keep out of reach of children.

  • Certain natural compounds contained in this essential oil may present a risk of allergy for certain sensitive individuals when the essential oil is incorporated into a cosmetic composition (in accordance with the 7th Amendment of the European Cosmetics Directive (2003/15/EC)): limonene, linalool.

  • As a general rule, always test your product, in the crease of the elbow, at least 48 hours before using it.

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.

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.