Peppermint oil

Peppermint - Mentha piperita

Peppermint oil is extracted from Mentha piperita of the Labiatae family and is also known as brandy mint and balm mint.

Color&Appearance:Slightly yellow clear liquid.

Odor:Having a characteristic odor of mentha avensis peppermint oil.

Specific Gravity(20/20℃):0.888-0.908

solubility: 1 volume soluble in 3.5 volumes of 70% alcohol forming a clear solution.

Total Menthol Content:50.0% Minimum

Chemical ComponentsThe activities of Peppermint are due primarily to its volatile oil, which exists in the leaves and flowering tops. Menthol, considered one of the main active components of Peppermint, also lends to it that “cooling” sensation. Menthol is a very volatile component of the oil - when pure. Natural Peppermint oil contains varying percentages of several different components which provide a full flavor and complexity, including menthol esters, and menthone, as well as flavanoids and tannins.

The chemical components of peppermint oil are menthol, menthone, 1,8-cineole, methyl acetate, methofuran, isomenthone, limonene, b-pinene, a-pinene, germacrene-d, trans-sabinene hydrate and pulegone.

Precautions
Peppermint oil is non-toxic and non-irritant in low dilutions, but sensitization may be a problem due to the menthol content.
It can cause irritation to the skin and mucus membranes and should be kept well away from the eyes. It should be avoided during pregnancy and should not be used on children under seven.

Therapeutic properties
The therapeutic properties of peppermint oil are analgesic, anesthetic, antiseptic, antigalactagogue, antiphlogistic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, cephalic, cholagogue, cordial, decongestant, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hepatic, nervine, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, vasoconstrictor and vermifuge.

Uses
Peppermint oil is excellent for mental fatigue and depression, refreshing the spirit and stimulating mental agility and improving concentration. It helps for apathy, shock, headache, migraine, nervous stress, vertigo and faintness and in general respiratory disorders, as well as dry coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and cholera.
For the digestive system, peppermint oil is effective for a range of ailments, as it stimulates the gall bladder and the secretion of bile. It is used for colic, cramps, dyspepsia, spastic colon, flatulence and nausea and can relieve pain in cases of toothache, aching feet, rheumatism, neuralgia, muscular pains and painful periods.
On the skin, peppermint oil is used to relieve skin irritation and itchiness and also helps to reduce skin redness, where inflammation is present. It is used for dermatitis, acne, ringworm, scabies and pruritus and also relieves itching, sunburn and inflammation of the skin, while at the same time having a cooling action.

Storage:To store in closed containers and keep in a dry place and avoid sunshine & rain.