Botanical Description: Peppermint is an aromatic herbaceous plant that belongs to the mint family, and it is the source of Peppermint oil. It is native to Europe and Asia and is widely naturalized to many parts of the world. It has smooth branching stems, growing up to 1 m (3 ft) in height, and narrow, sharply toothed leaves dotted with minute oil glands. The purplish, and occasionally white, flowers grow in dense clusters. Peppermint has a long history of use, and it is still extensively cultivated. The plant is harvested when in bloom and dried, and the oil is removed by steam distillation. Peppermint essential oil is a valuable oil commonly used in cooking, medicine and cosmetics. Menthol, an important commercial product found in cough drops and lotions, is made from processed Peppermint oil.

Fragrance: Pure essential oil of Peppermint has fresh, bright, penetrating, minty top notes and sharp, grassy, camphoraceous undertones.

Fragrant Effect: Peppermint oil is refreshing, stimulating and restorative, and one of the best essential oils for treating all types of digestive problems.

Blends Well With: Peppermint essential oil blends well with Clary Sage, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Lavender, Lemon and Rosemary.

Therapeutic Properties: Peppermint has a wide range of therapeutic properties including analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-galactagogues, antimicrobial, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogic, expectorant, febrifugal, hepatic, nervine, parasiticidal, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific and vermifugal.

Aromatherapeutic Use: Peppermint essential oil can be used in the treatment of acne, asthma, bronchitis, bruises, colds and flu, colic, cramp, dermatitis, dyspepsia, fainting, feverish conditions, flatulence, halitosis, headache, indigestion, irritable bowel syndrome, mental fatigue, migraine, mouth thrush, mouth ulcers, muscular aches and pains, nausea, nervous stress, neuralgia, palpitations, respiratory disorders, ringworm, scabies, sinusitis, sprains and strains, swellings, toothache and vertigo.

Constituents: The principal constituents of Peppermint oil are menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, menthofuran, limonene, pulegone, carovne, cineol, pinene and thymol.