Organic Peppermint Leaves Herb (Mentha Piperita)

PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita) is a popular herb that can be used in numerous forms (ie, oil, leaf,leaf extract, and leaf water). Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. The plant, indigenous (Peppermint) Extract, Organic Mentha Piperita Herb (Peppermint) Leaves, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Water are safe as used in cosmetic formulations.

The leaves and flowering tops are used; they are collected as soon as the flowers begin to open and can be dried. The wild form of the plant is less suitable for this purpose, with cultivated plants having been selected for more and better oil content. They may be allowed to lie and wilt a little before distillation, or they may be taken directly to the still.

Peppermint has a high menthol content. The oil also contains menthone and carboxyl esters, particularly menthyl acetate. Peppermint oil also contains small amounts of many additional compounds including limonene, pulegone, caryophyllene and pinene. Peppermint oil has a high concentration of natural pesticides, mainly pulegone (found mainly in Menthaarvensis var. piperascens cornmint, field mint, Japanese mint, and to a lesser extent. and menthone. It is known to repel some pest insects, including mosquitos, and has uses in organic gardening. Fresh or dried peppermint leaves are often used alone in peppermint tea or with other herbs in herbal teas (tisanes, infusions). Peppermint is used for flavouring ice cream, candy, fruit preserves, alcoholic beverages, chewing gum, toothpaste, and some shampoos, soaps and skin care products.

Menthol activates cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin and mucosal tissues, and is the primary source of the cooling sensation that follows the topical application of peppermint oil.