Peppermint essential oil is a substance that is obtained from perennial herbaceous plants of the family Lamiaceae, in particular from different types of mint, most often peppermint. It contains many valuable components: most of menthol, its 70%, and there is also limonene, cineol, carvone, geraniol and many other aromatic compounds.
Receiving a substance
The main raw materials are slightly dried leaves and stalks of peppermint. On an industrial scale, the substance is obtained by steam distillation (distillation). The content of the essential oil in the plant is 0.5%, that is, in order to get one kilogram of the final product, it will be necessary to process 45-50 kg of the feedstock. It should be noted that the substance obtained in such images will be quite expensive.
But most often peppermint oil is made on the basis of some base oil. Such a substance can be made easily by yourself at home. To do this, you will need:
- base oil, for example grape or wheat germ ;
- glass containers, always with a lid;
- a dark glass container;
- a small section of gauze;
- wooden hammer;
- plastic bag;
- raw materials: fresh, freshly picked peppermint (not later than 24 hours).
So, wash mint, dry and transfer to a bag. Then we beat the raw materials directly in the bag with a hammer - so it will let the juice go. We transfer the mass into a glass container, tamper and fill it with an oil base. After a day, the mixture needs to be filtered. We repeat all the steps three more times, each time leaving the old oil and using fresh raw materials. Then the finished peppermint oil is poured into a dark glass container. It must be stored in a cool dark place tightly closed.
Peppermint Oil: Application
This substance is used very widely: it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, personal care products, in pharmacology and traditional medicine. The use of peppermint oil in aromatherapy deserves special mention. In this area, it is used for flavoring rooms, for massage and rubbing, for baths and saunas. Peppermint oil has a complex effect on the human body: it stimulates the nervous system, tones the body, acts as a mild aphrodisiac (in intimate terms). In addition, this substance is used internally and externally for many diseases, such as rheumatism, pain in muscles and joints, skin inflammations and rashes, migraines, nausea, cramps, etc.
Contraindications
Despite its usefulness, peppermint oil is not a tool that can be taken thoughtlessly and without any restrictions. For example, if you increase the dose of this substance in an inhalation mixture, you may cause respiratory distress or bronchospasm. In addition, peppermint oil actively affects the work of the heart muscle, which can lead to pain in the heart. Also, this substance is not recommended for use during pregnancy - this can cause contractions. And young children should not apply it to the skin - peppermint oil has too strong an effect on delicate baby skin. Therefore, use this substance wisely: in small doses and better only externally.