30 July 2008

Peppermint EO



Mentha piperita
Extraction method: Steam Distilled
Perfumery note: Top

Peppermint (IMO) is one of the most versatile essential oils available. A very recognizable scent, as well as, flavoring. I find that I use peppermint quite often and not just for blending. The cooling effect is very soothing, especially in the summer months and is great in muscle rubs.
A component of the chemical makeup of peppermint is menthol, which is what gives it it's cooling effect. It is found in many products like toothpaste and shampoos.

Initial thoughts:
Cool (sometimes cold), sweet, fresh, strong, sharp

Color evoked by the fragrance:
Blue! So often I see bath & body products that have peppermint notes and they're colored with red coloring, I guess resembling the candy. I always see blue when I think of peppermint.

Blends well with (short list):
Anise
Bergamot
Eucalyptus
Fir
Lemon
Orange

Safety precautions:
Possible skin irritant, always use diluted. Should be avoided by pregnant women and not used on children under age seven. Avoid using nears eyes.

Side note: Works great as an additive to bath water. DO NOT, however, use more than about a teaspoon in a full bath (just my personal recommendation). Better yet use the hydrosol, unless you want a really cool bath. No make that a cold bath. Because peppermint is soooooo cooling you could really freeze your tush off in warm/hot water. OK not really but it feels like it.

{grumble}took me an hour to warm up.

8 comments:

kim* said...

that is pretty neat info.

T.Allen-Mercado said...

Funny how you make the scent/color connection. I do the same with sounds and shapes. Peppermint is blue to me because I think of the cool scent/taste and of course the cool water is depicted by the color blue. lol...

ArtsyChaos said...

I always wonder why peppermint is always seemingly colored red. I think blue is very nice for peppermint !

BlossomingTree said...

Thanks Kim.:)

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks of blue lol.

Diana Elaine said...

Is this suppose to be good for upset stomach? You CAN eat/drink this, right? LOL ... shows how much "I" know about herbs and plants.

Have you heard of Stevia? I use that allot in place of sugar ... I'm lowering my carbs, and it's been really helpful. I have the vanilla flavored, and no bitter aftertaste.

Howard Avenue said...

OMG, I have tons of this stuff in my garden. I spend lots of time looking for recipes to use it in. If you plant it, plant it in a container...It will take over your garden if you don't!!

Howard Avenue said...

I have tons of peppermint in my garden...it's taking over!!

BlossomingTree said...

Diana - yes you can eat/drink it. I use it OFTEN for tea. It's very cooling on hot summer days. :) I've tried stevia but wasn't too thrilled with it. I even tried to grow my own. What a disater LOL. I'll check out the vanilla.

howard avenue - I do indeed have them in pots. No way could I chase those roots around my yard LOL.