Organic Peppermint Essential Oil

Organic Peppermint
Mentha piperita officinalis

Source: Organic Leaves & Flowers
Origin: India
Energetics: Yin
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Scent: Refreshing, minty aroma with intense menthol notes. 
Blends Well With:  All kinds of spice oil blends and balsamic oil blends.

About

Peppermint essential oil, derived from the Mentha piperita plant, is renowned for its refreshing aroma and versatile health benefits. With its invigorating scent and cooling sensation, peppermint oil is widely used in aromatherapy to promote mental clarity, reduce stress, and alleviate fatigue. It is also valued for its digestive support, helping to ease indigestion, bloating, and nausea. Additionally, peppermint oil possesses antimicrobial properties, making it beneficial for oral hygiene and skin health. Whether diffused, applied topically, or incorporated into natural remedies, peppermint essential oil offers a revitalizing and aromatic experience, making it a staple in holistic wellness practices.

Ayurvedic Uses

In Ayurveda, peppermint essential oil, known as "Pudina Taila," is commonly used to balance the "Kapha" and "Pitta" doshas due to its cooling and calming effects on the mind and body. Peppermint essential oil is traditionally employed to promote digestion, ease indigestion, and alleviate nausea. Its invigorating aroma is believed to stimulate mental clarity, uplift mood, and reduce feelings of stress and tension. Additionally, peppermint oil is valued for its respiratory support, helping to clear congestion and promote clear breathing.

Historical Snippets

Believed to be a hybrid of watermint and spearmint, peppermint has been used since ancient times for its medicinal and culinary properties. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans valued peppermint for its digestive benefits and aromatic qualities. It gained further prominence in European folklore and traditional medicine during the Middle Ages. Its refreshing scent and cooling sensation made it a popular ingredient in perfumes, cosmetics, and medicinal preparations.

Key Constituents

• Menthol
• Menthone
• Menthofuran
• 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol)
• Limonene
• β-Pinene
• Camphene
• pulegone
• Caryophyllene
• Linalool

How To Use

Diffuse: Add a few drops to a diffuser to disperse around the room

Topically: Dilute essential oil with any carrier oil at a 2.5% ratio. This equates to 2.5ml essential oil/oils in total mixed with 100ml of chosen carrier oil. 1ml of essential oil is approximately 20-22 drops of oil.  Decant into a roller or glass bottle with eye dropper to apply easily or a larger bottle if using for massage. Please note this dilution rate is for adults and children over the age of 6. More information on children and essential oils is on our blog page. Essential Oils should not be used directly on the skin without mixing first with a carrier oil

Inhalation: Add 1-2 drops essential oil to a tissue and inhale at a distance while ensuring that the oil does not come into direct contact with the skin. Alternatively, you can smell the oil directly from the bottle.

Shelf Life 

Our freshly decanted Organic Peppermint essential oil will last for 3-4 years minimum from when you open your amber glass bottle if stored correctly.

Primary Storage Considerations: Keep away from direct light (U.V. radiation). Keep in the amber glass bottle with lid tightly closed. Only open when you need to and decant into a smaller "working" amber glass bottle if possible (and label so you know what is in it). This is to reduce oxidation.
Secondary Storage Considerations: Keep in a refrigerator at around 4 degrees celsius.

Safety

General
Some essential oils may cause photosensitivity to the skin - Use diluted in Jojoba or other complete carrier oil.
Do not ingest essential oils.
Do not apply to eyes, sensitive areas or mucous membranes.
The information on this website is not intended to be used in the diagnosis, treatment or mitigation of any physical or mental illness. Ahimsa Oils offer no advice or recommendations only general information. No therapeutic claims are made within.
Pregnant women, nursing mothers and children should not use essential oils without first consulting an appropriately trained healthcare practitioner.

The statements on this website have not been evaluated by the TGA. David Bosley however worked for a long period in consultation with the TGA to ensure correct labelling with reference to the Ahimsa Oil product range.

Specific
Hazards: Choleretic; neurotoxicity; mucous membrane irritation (low risk)
Contraindications: Cardiac fibrillation, G6PD deficiency. Do not apply to or near the face of infants or children.
Maximum dermal level: 5.4%
A dermal maximum of 5.4% is recommended based on 8.0% menthofuran and 3.0% pulegone content, with limits of 0.5% for methofuran and 1.2% for pulegone. Peppermint oil should be avoided altogether in cases of cardiac fibrillation, and by people with a G6PD deficiency. This is a fairly common inherited enzyme deficiency, particulary in people of Chinese, West African, Mediterranean or Middle Eastern origin. People with G6PD deficiency will typically hace abnormal blood reactions to at least one of the following drugs, or will have been advised to avoid them: antimalarials; sulfonamides (antimicrobial); chloramphenicol (antibiotic); streptomycin (antibiotic); aspirin.

References

Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: Second edition