Peppermint Oil
Updated Mar. 10th, 2025 | Read Time: 5 Minutes | What You Will Learn:
- Peppermint Plant Information
- Peppermint Essential Oil Information
- Peppermint Oil Applications & Uses
- Where To Buy Peppermint Oil
- Peppermint Oil DIY's
Discover the invigorating scent and many uses for peppermint essential oil.
Peppermint Plant Information
Plant History
Peppermint has been used for centuries, with its first use in 1500 BC. It can be found in Ancient Egyptian medical texts and Greek mythology. It has been documented by Roman philosophers, Monks in the Middle Ages and Jesus in the bible.
Peppermint was very valuable amongst Egyptians. They used it for stomach upset and as a form of money; this is how today’s money mints got their name. Monks used it to clean their teeth, and due to its potent smell, it would repel rodents from cheese storage rooms.
As it became more popular, this plant made its way from the Middle East to northern parts of Europe, where its medicinal properties and culinary use increased. It gained so much popularity worldwide that by the 1700s, it was listed as a medicinal agent for many health concerns, including migraines.
It didn’t take long for the benefits of peppermint to catch on, and during the 17th century, it was first cultivated for commercial use in England.
Botanical Information
Peppermint is a hybrid plant. It’s made from the combination of Mentha and Piperita, a cross between watermint and spearmint.
Scientifically, it is known as Mentha piperita L. and belongs to the Lamiaceae plant family.
Growing Information
Peppermint is a hardy perennial that grows rapidly. It enjoys a cool, moist environment, and if planted in a garden, it can become invasive and take over; therefore, it’s recommended to grow this herb in a 2-5 gallon pot. When planting it in a pot, you need to water it more often and ensure it is in full sun.
Growing peppermint in full sun will increase its potency and medicinal properties. It tends to reach maturity in 90 days.
Parts Used
Two varieties of peppermint are used for commercial essential oils: Black Mitcham, which yields a higher-quality product, and Todd’s, which is harder and makes up most of the world’s peppermint production.
The leaves are used in essential oil extraction because the oil is found at the bottom of the peppermint leaves.
Peppermint Essential Oil Information
How To Make Peppermint Oil: Extraction Method
Quality peppermint oil is steam distilled. Steam distillation doesn’t leave any solvents or sediment behind.
When steam distilling this oil, the leaves are cut and put in a chamber that fills with steam. The steam vapour travels through tubing to a basin, and once the vapour cools, the oil sits on top of the water. The two are separated; the essential oil is bottled, and the water vapour is used to fragrant other products like household cleaners.
Active Ingredients In Peppermint Oil
The main active ingredients found in peppermint are menthol and menthyl salicylate. It also contains menthone.
Peppermint Oil Applications & Uses
This oil offers many great health benefits. It’s most commonly known to support gastrointestinal issues such as bloating, gas and nausea, relieve headaches, and lessen muscle pain.
Gastrointestinal Support
Peppermint is known to help relieve gas, bloating and feelings of nausea.
- Mix peppermint oil with grapeseed oil and rub in a clockwise motion on the abdomen
- Make a warm compress by placing a compress or towel in warm water with peppermint oil and placing cloth/compress on the abdomen
- Run a warm bath and place 10 drops of peppermint oil in bath water
Headache Relief
Due to peppermint's menthol properties, it can help relax muscles and lessen pain.
- Mix peppermint with grapeseed oil and rub on temples and nape of the neck
- Inhale peppermint oil either from the bottle or on a cloth
- Mix peppermint and avocado oils and massage the neck, temples and shoulders or where tension is
Muscle Pain
Since peppermint contains menthol, it can help relax muscles and lessen pain.
- Add peppermint oil to Epsom salt and use in a warm bath
- Place a cloth in warm water, add a few drops of peppermint oil, and wrap it over sore muscles
- Mix peppermint and avocado oils and massage into sore muscles
Where To Buy Peppermint Oil
There are many high-quality essential oil brands on the market. When shopping for this oil, make sure it is steam distilled so it is free from solvents and is pure, potent and aromatic. Also, consider buying organic when possible. Here’s a list of high-quality peppermint oils you can buy in Canada.
Recipes
| Orange Peppermint Grounding Body Wash | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a bottle, mix: | 2 drops Peppermint oil | 2 drops Frankincense oil |
| 3 drops Orange oil | Mix with your favourite natural, unscented body wash for a naturally scented shower gel that's invigorating. | |
| Shake before each use |
| Invigorating Epsom Salt Blend | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a bottle, mix: | 2 drops Peppermint oil | 2 drops Eucalyptus oil |
| 3 drops Lavender oil | Blend with epsom salts and put in mason jar. Use in a warm bath for muscle relief and relaxation. |
| Minty Fresh Diffuser Blend | ||
|---|---|---|
| In a 60ml amber spray bottle with droplet cap, mix: | 1 drop Peppermint oil | 2 drops Frankincense oil |
| 2 drops Eucalyptus oil | 50 ml Witch Hazel | |
| Shake before each use and spritz throughout your home to cleanse the air. |
I’m a huge fan of peppermint oil and all of the natural benefits that can come with it. I have used it for headache relief’s and also the smell has really helped when I have headaches with anti-nausea part of it as well so that’s been really good. It’s also just very refreshing and it feels very soothing. I love how this article shows different recipes that you can use with peppermint oil. I never would’ve thought to use it as a wash so that is really amazing or a spray even though aromatherapy of it suddenly is really nice and has a really great effect.