• Peppermint
  • Peppermint

Peppermint

  • Scientific Name
    Mentha piperita
  • Family
    Lamiaceae
  • Origin
    Europeetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Peppermint, a perennial herb belonging to the Lamiaceae family, reaches a height of about 10 cm. It boasts light purplish-pink flowers, robust dark green stems, and serrated green leaves. The mint genus displays significant variability, featuring numerous varieties with diverse leaf colors and fragrances. Among the key species are: 1) Black mint (M. piperita var. vulgaris Sole), 2) White Mitcham (M. piperita var. officinalis Sole), and 3) M. piperita L., the botanical foundation of the genus, believed to be a natural hybrid of watermint and spearmint. Its scientific name, “piperita,” signifies “peppery,” reflecting its remarkable pungency in comparison to other mint varieties. Peppermint is extensively cultivated in Europe.

Essential oil composition

Peppermint

  • Peppermint

  • INCI
    Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Whole Plant
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    0.3%
  • Notes
    Top
  • Aroma Family
    Herbal

Peppermint Essential Oil Properties & Uses

Approximately 0.3% of Peppermint essential oil is extracted from the above-ground parts through steam distillation, resulting in a colorless to pale yellowish liquid. Its primary component is Menthol, renowned for its analgesic and cooling properties. The aroma is sharp, cool, and refreshing, exuding a distinctly minty quality with a clean, crisp scent reminiscent of gum or candy. Additionally, there's a subtle sweetness that softly emerges after the initial clear and refreshing sensation. Peppermint essential oil pairs exceptionally well with citrus, herbal, floral, and woody essential oils. Given its potent scent, it is advisable to maintain a balanced blend, ensuring not to overpower by using excessive amounts.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • Menthol　37.1%
  • Menthone　25.9%
  • iso-Menthone　9.7%
  • neo-Menthol　6.6%
  • Menthyl acetate　3.9%
  • Limonene　3.0%
  • Pulegone　1.3%
  • iso-Pulegol　1.2%
  • Other components　11.3%

Functions and Efficacies

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

IFRA

Peppermint：
No restrictions applied

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

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