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The following is an excerpt from the chapter "Single Oils" the Reference Guide for Essential Oils by Connie and Alan Higley
Peppermint
(Mentha Piperita)
BOTANICAL FAMILY: Labiatae (mint) CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS: Monoterpenes (2-18%); Sesquiterpenes; Monoterpenol: menthol (38%-48%); Monoterpenones: menthone (30-44% and up to 65%); Terpene oxides: cineole (5%); Terpene esters; Coumarines. PROPERTIES: ANALGESIC, ANTI-INFLAMMATORY (prostate and nerves), ANTISEPTIC, ANTISPASMODIC, and INVIGORATING. FOLKLORE: According to Roberta Wilson, "In Roman mythology, when Pluto professed his love for the nymph Mentha, his wife Persephone, afire with jealousy, crushed Mentha into dust on the ground. Pluto, unable to change her back, transformed her into a peppermint plant and gave her a fresh fragrance so that she would smell sweet whenever stepped upon." HISTORICAL USES: For centuries, Peppermint has been used to soothe digestive difficulties, freshen breath, and relieve colic, gas, headaches, heartburn, and indigestion. FRENCH MEDICINAL USES: ASTHMA, BRONCHITIS, CANDIDA, DIARRHEA, DIGESTIVE AID, FEVER (reduces), FLU, HALITOSIS, HEARTBURN, HEMORRHOIDS, HOT FLASHES, INDIGESTION, MENSTRUAL IRREGULARITY, MIGRAINE HEADACHE, MOTION SICKNESS, NAUSEA, RESPIRATORY FUNCTION (aids), SHOCK, SKIN (itchy), THROAT INFECTION, VARICOSE VEINS, VOMITING. OTHER POSSIBLE USES: This oil may help ANGER, ARTHRITIS, COLIC, DEPRESSION, FATIGUE, FOOD POISONING, HEADACHES, HIVES, HYSTERIA, INFLAMATION, LIVER PROBLEMS, MORNING SICKNESS, NERVE REGENERATION, RHEUMATISM, elevate and open SENSORY SYSTEM, soothe and cool SKIN (may help keep body cooler on hot days), TOOTHACHES, TUBERCULOSIS, and add flavor to WATER. AROMATIC INFLUENCE: It is PURIFYING and STIMULATING to the CONSCIOUS MIND. Reduces FEVERS. Dr. Dembar of the University of Cincinnati discovered in a research study that inhaling peppermint oil INCREASED the MENTAL ACCURACY of the students tested by up to 28%. APPLICATION: Apply to VITA FLEX POINTS and/or directly on AREA of concern. SAFETY DATA: Repeated use can possibly result in CONTACT SENSITIZATION. Use with caution if dealing with HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. Use with caution during PREGNANCY. BLEND CLASSIFICATION: Personifier FREQUENCY: Physical; approximately 78.
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