1/3 oz

Mentha piperita

Certified Organic

Aerial parts, Steam distilled, South Africa

Peppermint oil is terrific for all kinds of digestive problems including indigestion, spasms, nausea, ulcers, IBS, and helps destroy harmful microorganisms in the digestive tract. It stimulates oil production for dry skin, and helps relieve itching caused by ringworm, scabies, and poison oak. Peppermint can be used to help asthma and chronic bronchitis. It helps clear mental fogginess and lack of focus. Do not use in strong dilution or on sensitive skin. Avoid during pregnancy and lactation.

This very fine Peppermint essential oil (Mentha x piperita, cultivar ‘Willamette’), grown in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, is unlike our other Peppermint oils. Its aroma is of the live plant – wonderfully fresh, green, cooling, penetrating, and minty but with a distinctive grass-like undertone that replaces the peppermint-candy sweetness found in our organic Peppermint, France and Peppermint, India oils. Since its aroma strength is quite pronounced due to its menthol content, the amount of peppermint oil used in formulas for both aromatherapy and natural perfumery should be carefully considered. Please note it is strongly recommended that Peppermint essential oil not be used with children under age 2-1/2, elders, epileptics, pregnant and/or nursing women; it may contra-indicate homeopathic remedies.1,2

Peppermint essential oil is steam distilled from the partially dried herb, harvested in full early bloom, when menthol content is at its peak.3 True peppermint is thought to be a hybrid from three other species of Mentha – M. spicata, M. aquatic, M. longifolia and/or M. suaveolens4 – all native to southern Europe. The plant is cultivated in North and South America, Europe, Russia, northern Africa, India, Australia and other countries.

The first peppermint plants grown in the U.S. were imported from England in sacks and planted in Wayne County, New York about 1816. From there, peppermint was introduced to the Midwest (Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio) and later to Oregon and Washington State; these two states are the main producers of American peppermint oil. 5,6 It is stated that peppermint oil not distilled for industrial use has less chance of being improperly distilled, or adulterated (a common practice) with other mint oils, synthetic menthol, or other constituents; those oils produced from small distilleries are closer to the aroma of the fresh plants, and their higher selling price reflect the reality of genuine and authentic production practices.7,8

Aromatic Profile: Fresh, green, cooling, penetrating, and minty but with a distinctive grass-like undertone that replaces the peppermint-candy sweetness of our other Peppermint oils.

Appearance: Water white, mobile, clear, transparent liquid.

Use: Aromatherapy / Natural perfumery.

Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved. Recommended usage is 1-5 % in nasal ointments, 5-10% in aqueous-alcoholic preparations, and no more than 20% in oily and semi-solid preparations.9

Blends Well With: Cedarwood, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin, Marjoram, Niaouli, Pine, Rosemary, Spearmint. Generally used at low concentrations to provide “lift” to perfume formulas.10

Safety Considerations: Has GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status, but there is a low risk of cardiac fibrillation, G6PD deficiency, increased bile secretion, neurotoxicity, and mucous membrane irritation; do not apply to or near the face of infants or children.11 May contra-indicate homeopathic remedies. We recommend avoiding use with children under age 2-½, elders, epileptics, pregnant and/or nursing women. Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.

1 Price, Shirley and Len. Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, 2nd ed., 1995/1999, pp. 333.

2 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 387-390.

3 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. III, 1949, p. 595.

4 Schnaubelt, Kurt. Medical Aromatherapy – Healing with Essential Oils, 1999, p. 197.

5 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 513-4.

6 Guenther, Ernest. The Essential Oils, Vol. III, 1949, p. 589.

7 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 516.

8 Schnaubelt, Kurt. Medical Aromatherapy – Healing with Essential Oils, 1999, p. 197.

9 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 387.

10 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 516.

11 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, pp. 387.

The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made as to the medicinal value of any products from Holistic Pathways. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.