Peppermint (Mentha arvensis)

Aroma
Peppermint essential oil is a fresh, menthol oil with a strong, minty and cooling aroma.
The plant
The peppermint plant is native to Europe but nowadays the USA is the major producer of peppermint oil. The stem grows to about 3 foot high and has purple spiked flowers and serrated leaves. It is a hybrid of Watermint and Spearmint.
The extraction
Peppermint oil is extracted from the whole plant above ground. The best time for extraction is just before flowering, and the fresh or partly dried plant is used for the highest yield of good quality oil.
Affects
Peppermint essential oil is cooling when hot and warming when cold. It is used to disperse heat both physically and emotionally (e.g. anger). It has a stimulating and replenishing affect, so is useful for relieving tiredness, easing tension and helping the muscles in the digestive system.