Peppermint (Mentha piperita), spearmint (Mentha spicata), and rosemary herb are aromatic herbs found in many herb gardens. Peppermint essential oil is used as food flavoring and for clear thinking. Peppermint oil blends well with Lemon oil, lavandin, and sweet almond oil.
Peppermint has a distinctive sweet, menthol aroma. Peppermint oil is widely used as food flavorings, in chewing gum, candy, breath mints, toothpaste, and mouthwash. This aromatic herb is a member of the labiatae family, as is lavender and rosemary. As many as 600 types of mints have been identified. Most are likely variations and hybrids of about 25 species.
Hybridization of mints occurs easily, producing many scents and colors. Mints are common in herb gardens and grow so easily that they are often regarded as weeds. Peppermint (Mentha piperita) and spearmint (Mentha spicata) are the major mints that are cultivated. Spearmint has a very sweet scent with a sharp menthol undertone. The sharp and sweet scents in peppermint confirm botanists’ belief that peppermint is a hybrid of the sharply scented water mint (Mentha aquatica) and sweetly scented spearmint.
Peppermint oil is produced from freshly cut, partially dried plant tops just before they flower. If over-mature, aromas may be sharp, bitter, and too menthol-scented.
Often found in sports creams and chest rubs, peppermint oil’s major component menthol, produces an instant and profound sense of coolness and then a "warming effect" as blood flows into the area it was applied. This "medicinal" effect is partially responsible for peppermint's historical medicinal use.
Peppermint Benefits
• Clears head
• Cooling & bracing initially
• Energizing
• Refreshing following a heavy meal
• Relieves nausea
• Repels mice*
• Soothing
• Strengthens the stomach
• Warms & comforts once swallowed
* Mice do not like the scent of peppermint essential oil. To get rid of mice, put a few drops of peppermint essential oil on cotton balls and put them around the house or make a spray with two teaspoons of peppermint essential oil per cup of water. If the scent is there, mice will be repelled. Replenish as needed. The period of time needed to replenish depends on conditions, but about every two to three weeks is a good rule of thumb. Strongly scent likely entrances, hiding places such as basements, and areas mice have been seen. Not only will mice be driven away, but pets and small children will not be in danger of poisoning or injury from a mouse trap.
Sweet Clarity
Try Sweet Clarity to energize and enhance clear thinking without being too brisk or overpowering. It is sweet, pleasant, and uplifting. Inhaled directly from the bottle or diffused while studying or during a long meeting.
* 20 drops peppermint oil
* 20 drops spearmint
* 35 drops lavandin
* 25 drops lemon oil
Stress Relief Massage Oil Blend
For a little help through the trials of the day, add 3 drops of Sweet Clarity blend to 1 ounce of sweet almond oil. Apply a few drops to the fingertips and gently massage the temples during times of stress and confusion.
To learn more about aromatherapy, click Learn and view topics under Aromatherapy, Essential Oils, & Lavender. See items under Aromatherapy Oil Information & Recipes to learn more about individual essential oils and the plants from which they come with more aromatherapy recipes included.
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