Phytobotanica
Peppermint Essential Oil - Mentha piperita CV Black Mitchum

Peppermint is traded, globally, like coffee.  In other words, it is one of the most popular herb plants used for its many medicinal properties.  Peppermint is used in toothe-pastes, mouth-washes, nasal inhalers, chest rubs and many other products such as confectionary and chewing gum.Peppermint (Mentha piperita), from the Lamiaceae family, consists of more than twenty five variable species, eg peppermint, spearmint, apple mint, water mint. 

Peppermint has been used medicinally for hundreds of years.  In fact, records go back for thousands of years.  Even today, peppermint extracts are prescribed in the UK National Healthcare Industries for treating many common conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome, breathing conditions, colds & flu and digestive problems.  As a first aid remedy in the home, peppermint offers a safe remedy with a low risk of side effects and a broad range of applications.

Peppermint is rich in essential oil production.  The essential oil is found mainly in the leaves. Under the microscope, at a magnification of  X 500, we can see that the leaves are covered in  “bubbles”.  Tiny structures which appear above the leaf surface, these bubbles are called “trichomes”, or “glands” and this is where the essential oil is made, and stored, by the plant.

 Peppermint Pro Pic 222W
Peppemrint Pro Pic 300W

Take some peppermint leaves and scrunch them up in your fingers.  You will immediately smell the peppermint essential oil because it is volatile.  This means it disperses in the air, hits our nose (olfactory system) and we can smell the distinctive aroma which is mainly a chemical called “menthol”.  It is menthol which gives peppermint its typical smell and taste, which is warming and cooling at the same time ! 

(PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL SHOULD NOT TOUCH THE SKIN AS IT WILL BURN, LIKE CHILLI). 

In the UK the most popular (and most used, commercially) peppermint comes from a plant called Black Mitchum (Mentha piperita CV Black Mitchum) because it was grown in Mitchum, Kent and it is a dark (black) colour. “CV” means “cultivar” – in other words we are classifying the plant because of its colour and where that particular cultivar was grown.  The United States of America took over the major growing of mints to supply the chewing gum industries !


Historically, many essential oils traded “peppermint” have in fact come from various by-products of the mint and other essential oil industries.  In fact, when undertaking our research & development into peppermint essential oil prior to beginning our major project here (growing peppermint as a major new crop for UK farmers) our analyses of the mint oils available at the time, showed adulterations and mixtures of cornmint mixed with synthetic menthol. 

We changed all of that by introducing Mentha piperita CV Black Mitchum from specifically sourced named botanical species, as a major new crop for UK farmers.  We grew the peppermint organically too, certified with the UK Soil Association.  A first for the UK, from Phytobotanica !

The analysis of our peppermint essential oil in our on-farm laboratory (using gas-chromatography which separates, quantifies and identifies the oil components) showed exactly what should be there.  Peppermint essential oil should show menthol as a major constituent.  Menthol is a monoterpene, an alcohol, and should be above 30% in the oil.  In our peppermint, menthol is above 50% which shows it is a very high quality oil indeed.

ANALYSIS OF CERTIFIED ORGANIC PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL

Peak No                    Component Name                                    % Amount

1                                  alpha-pinene                                                      0.67

2                                  beta-pinene                                                       0.93

3                                  limonene                                                           1.04

4                                  1.8-cineole                                                        3.79

5                                  z-ocimene                                                         0.88

6                                  e-ocimene                                                         1.22

7                                  octan-3-ol                                                         0.91

8                                  menthone                                                        26.32

9                                  iso-menthone                                                     3.02

10                                 menthylacetate                                                  3.65

11                                 beta caryophyllene                                             0.63

12                                 cyclohexanol, 5-methly-2-(1methyl etc)               0.90

13                                 (+)-isomenthol                                                   1.23

14                                 menthol                                                           50.38

15                                 germacrene D                                                   1.51

16                                 2-cyclohexen-1-one, 3-methly-6-etc                    0.97

17                                 veridiflorol                                                         0.77

18                                 unknown(s)                                                       1.08

19                                 unknown                                                           0.10

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All rights reserved.  No part of this essential oil analysis (publication) may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopy, recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from PHYTOBOTANICA UK LTD

USES OF PEPPERMINT

Be aware that, historically, many therapeutic properties of medicinal and aromatic plants are directly related to the ingestion of the plant itself (or specific parts of the plant at particular growth stages).  These properties do not relate to the use of the essential oil.  Essential oils should not be taken internally. 

Peppermint can also be used as a tea (link here to herb teas) and has a well proven relaxing effect on smooth muscle.  Eg the walls of the intestines, stomach and blood vessels.  This is why peppermint tea is effective for irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and other digestive problems.

I use peppermint essential oil more than any other.  I sprinkle it around my vehicle before undertaking a long journey as it keeps me alert and awake.  I use it as an inhaler (bowl full of hot water, a few drops of peppermint oil, a towel over my head) to clear nasal congestion.  It can be effective against asthma, bronchitis, halitosis, sinusitis and coughs.  ALWAYS PATCH TEST FIRST OF ALL.

Peppermint essential oil blends well with eucalyptus and thyme for catarrh and nasal congestion.  Here at Phytobotanica we blend peppermint essential oil with white lotion (at 1.5% concentration) and recommend it to be used as an anti-migraine remedy.

Peppermint essential oil is versatile and is very effective on a burner to promote a clear, deodorised atmosphere in the home.  It promotes a good environmental atmosphere in toilets and bathrooms and in bedrooms if there are colds and flu in the home. 

The oil has also been used as a good foot preparation which is why, here at Phytobotanica, we blend our unique organic peppermint essential oil with a gel and advise massaging the feet to promote blood circulation there.  This is because of its cooling/warming properties and its abilty to promote blood circulation.

If you have any questions or queries about peppermint essential oil and its uses, please email us at info@phytobotanica.com.