essential oils - aromatherapy part 12 by Annalies Schmaltz

[Dept of PMM Artists & things]

Essential oils/ Aromatherapy
Peppermint

Not the easiest to blend, but definitely worthwhile to store in your cupboard. Peppermint.
The mint family contains 25 species and numerous natural hybrids. Native to the Mediterranean countries and western Asia, many varieties are now cultivated all over the world. These include
the water mint (Mentha aquatica) field mint ( mentha arvensis) and spearmint ( mentha spicata)
However peppermint (mentha piperita) thought to be a natural hybrid between the water mint and
the spearmint, is regarded as superior for medicinal purposes because of its high menthol content.
Photo:Black peppermint

There are two form, white peppermint and black peppermint. The white peppermint can be recognized by bright green stems and leaves whereas the black peppermint has purple stems and dark green leaves tinged purple-brown.
Black peppermint yields the highest concentration of essential oil and is the favoured variety for
commercial cultivation.

History:
The ancient Egyptians were probably the first people to cultivate peppermint, the remains of the
dried leaves from a bouquet have been found in a tomb dating from about 300BC. According to hieroglyphics found in the temple of Edfu, mint was also an ingredient in their sacred incense formula, Kyphi, However, the generic name of the plant. Mentha , is thought to derive from the Greek and Roman myth in which Minthe, a beautiful nymph, was pursued by Hades (Pluto in Roman mythology), god of the Underworld. Persephone found out about her husbands infidelity and turned Minthe into a herb to be trampled underfoot. Other sources report that the name derives from the Latin mente, meaning thought.
Photo: Field peppermint

The Greeks and Romans used teas made from the herb to scent their bath water and as a general
restorative. They also used peppermint as a medicine for flatulence and headaches. And for centuries the Arabs have taken peppermint tea to stimulate their virility and as a social drink. By
the 14th century peppermint essential oil was being incorporated in substances to whiten teeth
and later in mouthwashes to mask the smell of tobacco. According to John Gerard, the renowned Elizabethan herbalist, the smell of mint “rejoiceth the heart of man. He also considered it a 'good posie for students oft to smell,' and especially beneficial for those of a weak constitution.
Photo:peppermint

The Potency of Menthol:
Peppermint oil is produced mainly in the USA, France, Bulgaria, Morocco, China and Japan, by steam distillation of the plant's flowering tops. The oil is colourless to pale yellow with an intense aroma- at first cooling and refreshing, and then giving way to a sensation of numbness. The oil owes its cooling and local anaesthetic effects to the aromatic compound menthol. Unfortunately, most of the oil available has had a proportion of the menthol removed, as this is widely used by
the pharmaceutical industry. Whole peppermint oil is much more expensive, and so seldom used in commercial products. Quite apart from its superior therapeutic properties, the whole oil has a more interesting aroma. Menthol on its own is extremely potent and has a higher risk of provoking skin reactions and respiratory problems in vulnerable groups.


Warning:
Do not use during pregnancy or if breastfeeding, and on babies and young children. Carry out a 24hour skin test before use on sensitive skin.



Therapeutic properties:

Modern research confirms the therapeutic value of peppermint, which is best known for its beneficial action on the digestive system – hence the tradition of after-dinner mints and liqueurs.
Peppermint tea makes an effective remedy for nausea, indigestion, heartburn and flatulence, and helps to relieve stomach ache and colic. The tea also acts as a pick-me-up and can alleviate tension headaches. The oil, taken internally is capsule form(available from health stores), can be an effective remedy for irritable bowel syndrome.
Externally, diluted peppermint oil can be used in pain-relieving balms and massage oils. Its menthol
content is cooling to skin and muscles, it is also a mild local anaesthetic. Cold peppermint oil compresses can help reduce bruising, muscular pain and swelling from an injury. Applied to the forehead and temples, a compress can banish a headache, and migraine if used at the onset. A few drops inhaled from a tissue can alleviate mild indigestion as well as headaches.

Peppermint oil steam inhalations are good for catarrh and blocked sinuses, and for cold and flu symptoms. Steam your face with peppermint oil to cleanse oily skin with spots and blackheads. Or apply a warm compress soaked in tolerably hot peppermint tea. Used in moderation, peppermint can treat inflamed skin conditions and is a beneficial ingredient in home-made aftersun lotions. Vaporize in a burner for a quick fix for mental fatigue, its refreshing and piercing aroma will swiftly awaken the senses.

Because of its powerful aroma peppermint doesn't blend easily. But if used sparingly it works with rosemary, eucalyptus or tea tree which reinforce its antiseptic and stimulating properties. Blend with lavender, clary sage, cypress or lemon to modify the piercing quality of peppermint and enhance its cooling effect. If you feel more adventurous, mix a trace of peppermint with a few drops of geranium for a sweetly refreshing effect.

These two recipes can be used for burners to clear a stuffy atmosphere or and concentration. Simply add to water and light a night light to heat.

1 drop pure peppermint essential oil
4 drops pure lemon essential oil
3 drops pure geranium essential oil

or

2 drops pure peppermint essential oil
2 drops pure eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops pure lemon essential oil
2 drops pure cypress essential oil.












Beauty essentials with peppermint:

for acne, or oily skin, a soap bar which is softer on the skin than the commercial medicated soaps.

150 g soft olive oil soap ( plain or lavender)
25ml witch hazel
25ml distilled water
6 drops pure peppermint essential oil
10drops pure lavender essential oil
1 tsp almond or grapeseed oil (to grease moulds)

The green olive oil soap used in the recipe comes originally from France, but it can be found in health stores. Witch hazel is a gentle astringent and is available from chemists.

Chop the olive oil soap into very small pieces, or use a coarse grater. Place the soap in a small
saucepan and melt over a moderate heat. In a jug, mix together the witch hazel and distilled water
then gradually add them to the melted soap, beating continuously with a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and stir in the essential oils.
Press the soap mixture into greased moulds (eg jelly moulds or ramekin dishes) and smooth the top with a knife. The soap will take several hours to harden. Remove it with a sharp knife and wrap in tissue paper if not being used straight away.

Peppermint compresses for tired eyes.
Save used peppermint tea bags and apply them as eye compresses to lessen redness from
fatigue and eye strain. Also good for puffy eyes. Store the tea bags in the fridge upto 24 hours in a sealed container. Lie down, place a cool, damp tea bag on each eye, for 10=15 minutes.

Foot soak:

3 tbsp fresh mint
1 tbsp sea salt
1 tbsp Epsom salts
5 ml diluted peppermint essential oil or
2 drops of pure essential oil
2 drops pure lemon essential oil.

Put the mint leaves and water in a saucepan and simmer for 3 min. Strain and stir in
sea and Epsom salts to dissolve. When the liquid is bearably hot, pour into a large bowl. Add
the essential oils and soak your feet for at least 10 minutes. Pat dry and massage with foot lotion.

Foot lotion:

30 ml unperfumed body lotion
4 drops pure peppermint oil
3 drops pure cypress oil
3 drops pure lavender oil

Put the lotion into a clean glass pot, add the essential oils and stir well.





Peppermint Mask
¼ of a cucumber (with skin)
5 ml diluted peppermint oil
4 tsp green clay ( available at chemists or shops specializing in herbs and natural remedies)

chop the cucumber and toss into a blender with the oil. Blend until smooth and pour into a bowl.
Stir in enough green clay to make a paste, apply to your face and neck and leave on for 10=15 minutes. Rinse off with tepid water and pat dry.

Shower gel:

30ml base or unperfumed shower gel
2 drops pure peppermint essential oil
3 drops pure rosemary essential oil
4 drops pure lemon essential oil

Mix the gel and oils together. Step into the shower, pour a little of the gel onto a sponge and
massage onto your skin.


Healing:
Benefits:
Peppermint is and can be helpful for indigestion, colic, flatulence and nausea. It can also lower
a high temperature and clear catarrh from the upper respiratory tract. When inhaled in steam it is often an excellent remedy for coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis, colds and flu. Its anti-inflammatory, analgesic and local anaesthetic properties make it a useful remedy for muscular pain , headaches and toothache. Used in moderation it can improve oily skin and acne.
Peppermint's piercingly refreshing aroma clears the head and facilitates clarity of thought.

After-sun Lotion:

30 ml unperfumed body lotion
10 ml diluted peppermint essential oil
8 drops pure lavender essential oil
4 drops pure clary sage essential oil

Put the lotion into a glass pot, stir in the essential oils and mix well.

Massage oil for aching muscles:
10 ml diluted peppermint essential oil
1 drop pure sweet marjoram essential oil
1 drop pure rosemary essential oil

Peppermint Chest Rub:
10 ml diluted peppermint essential oil
1 drop pure eucalyptus essential oil
2 drops pure lavender essential oil




Headaches:
This is only for the occasional tension headaches, if suffering from migraine, please confer with your doctor.

Headache balm:
20 g unperfumed skin cream
8 drops pure peppermint essential oil.

Put the cream into a clean glass pot, add the essential oil and stir will with the handle of a teaspoon. Apply a small amount to the temples and the back of the neck. The balm gradually loses its piercing quality, and thus its potency, depending on how often the product is exposed to the air. So ensure that the jar has a tightly fitting lid and use within 6 weeks. For a less piercing aroma use 3 drops each or pure peppermint, rosemary and lavender essential oil.