Peppermint a perennial herb,
grows to a height of 30-100 cm (11-39 in), and contains 29-46 %
menthol. It is extracted by steam-distillation from the partially dried
herb. The oil is a pale-yellow or pale-olive colored liquid with a
fresh, sort of a strong grassy-minty odour with a deep balsamic-sweet
undertone. Some uses of the oil are in food flavorings, fragrance
components in soaps, perfumes, mouthwashes, detergents and toothpastes.
The menthol in peppermint is also used as a decongestant, which has a
cooling sensation due to the stimulation of the nasal cavity
thermoreceptors. Warning the vapours inhibit respiration and may cause
very transient apnoea in very young children, although the risk is
minimal direct application of peppermint oil or menthol on the nasal
mucosa of very young children is discouraged. The oil used as a topical
preparation can be used to treat tension headaches, and can be used in
liniments ( a medicinal liquid) for the relief of muscle pain, joint
pain, lumbago, bruises and contusions and insect bites. In the
digestive system the oil is one of the most effective essential oils,
it relieves stomach pains, diarrhea, nausea, dyspepsia and flatulence.
It can also be used to relieve travel sickness. The oil has a special
affinity with blood and lymph by having a refreshing effect on all the
tissues, this is due to the liberating influence on the lymphatic
system. It does this by increasing blood flow to the spleen, inducing
the regeneration action of the spleen in the development of new blood
corpuscles, and this causes the lymphatic system to be activated in its
function through accelerated lymph and tissue fluid circulation. People
who are unable to concentrate or have mental fatigue can benefit from
the use of peppermint oil, because it prevents congestion of blood
supply to the brain, helps to clear up any circulatory congestion that
is present, stimulates circulation therefore strengthening and calming
the nerves. Peppermint oil is beneficial in treating colds and
influenza associated with fever and headaches. It can also be used to
relieve any kind of skin irritation or itching, but should be used in a
dilution of 1 % or less or the irritation may get worst. A
steam treatment with the oil is a good way to cleanse and decongest the
skin, and is a very refreshing skin tonic. Peppermint oil is
non-toxic, non-irritant, and may sometimes be sensitizing, hence it
should not be used on the face especially on the nose of infants and
small children. The only real concern with using the oil is to select
one with a lower percentage of menthone and pulegone, the levels of
these two would unlikely produce any toxic effects when the oil is used
externally, but caution should be taken if used orally. | |
