There are over 7000 species in the mint family! These herbs have more internal and external uses and applications than we can cover here, and we encourage further research in The Complete Book of Essentail Oils & Aromatherapy, the The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants, or by conducting an internet search.
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Do not take any essential oils internally without consultation from your health care or aromatherapy professional.
The most common herbs in the mint family include:
Peppermint Mentha pipertita
Peppermint is one of the oldest and widely used tea and essential oil for digestion and mental alertness. Used together with ginger and lavender, Peppermint is an excellent for gas and upset stomach, and combined with Gentian Root, strengthens digestion. As an essential oil, Peppermint Oregon is widely used as an aromatherapy oil.
Triple Distilled Peppermint Oil has a clean, sharp, and sweeet aroma. It has many uses and applications, including numbing, antispasmodic, expectorant, insecticide and restorative. It is known to support mental clarity and mood elevation. On the body, it has a dual action: cooling when hot and warming when cold, and has a soothing effect for fevers, motion sickness, nausea and headaches. Peppermint is frequently used in liniments for the relief of muscle and joint discomfort as well as insect bites. Peppermint can be used to relieve any kind of skin irritation or itching but should be diluted to 1%. Many people like the Triple Distilled Oil
By the way, mice are repelled by peppermint. Add 2 teaspoons of peppermint to 1 cup of water and spray in areas where you think that mice might frequent. Peppermint oil can also be used to repel spiders and other bugs. Simply soak a cotton ball with peppermint oil and then place it in a small dish where you commonly see spiders, ants, mice or other pests. The oil will eventually dry up, so check the cotton ball every two to three weeks and soak again if needed.
Sometimes an area of the home can smell stuffy, and spraying a little Essential Oil can brighten the feeling in your space. Combine 1 teaspoon of Peppermint or Spearmint Essential Oil to 1 cup of water in a spray bottle, and spray into the air.
Poleo Mentha arvensis
Also referred to as Wild Mint, Poleo Mint grows along streams and running ditches and in very moist meadows. Above all, Poleo is a stomach anesthetic and used primarily for indigestion. Espiritu de Poleo is a well-known standard for the tummy sipped in water and a few drops on a handkerchief to clear the head. It repels mosquitos!
Pennyroyal Mentha pulegium
Also known as Cayote Mint, Wild Bergamot, and Dwarf Thyme, Pennyroyal has a pleasant earthy, minty aroma and is effective as an insect repellent. It has also been used externally for rheumatism. Pennyroyal should NEVER be taken internally as an essential oil but can be taken internally as a tea made from the leaves.
Spearmint Mentha spicata
Spearmint ("Yerba Buena" in Spanish) has a strong, cleansing and uplifting scent and the aroma is used to sharpen the senses. Spearmint essential oil is a more subtle oil than peppermint, but can be used for similar therapeutic applications. Spearmint tea helps with nausea and indigestion, hearburn, stomach ache, and gas. For stomach and digestion complaints, one can take one or two drops internally, or dilute and rub on the stomach region. Spearmint is also considered excellent for headaches. Try rubbing a small amount into the temples. The tea of Spearmint is a traditional New Mexican remedy (called "Yerba Buena"), for menstrual cramps.
Catnip Nepeta cataria
From the plant genus Nepeta, it is commonly known as Catnip because of it's pleasant effect on cats. Featured in our May Issue, " 5 Ways to Repel Insects Naturally" on natural repellents, Catnip has traditionally been used as an insect repellant. The active constituent in Catnip, nepetalactone, has been found to be more effective than the insect repellent diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET). Catnip Oil Spray, with Rose Geranium and Lemon Eucalypus oils is a highly effective and popular natural insect repellent. Catnip, taken as a tea, has a mild sedative effect.
Lemon Balm Melissa officinalis
Also called Melissa, this is one of the oldest aromatherapy herbs having a long reputation for its calming and relaxing properties, but it has a multitude other uses. Lemon Balm essential oil can be applied directly to insect bites and cold sores. Research in Europe has indicated that it can speed up the healing time of herpes simplex sores. Lemon Balm is known to have antiviral activity, particularly against the herpes family of virises. The essential oil can be added to olive oil and massaged onto skin to relieve shingles.
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia
Lavender is a flowering plant of the mint family. It is widely used for it's calming effect, and incredibly delicious aroma. The Essential Oil of Lavender is used as a support for restlessness, melancholia and insomnia. Most popular of the Lavender essential oils is from Lavandula oficinalis (Mediterranean origin; used to make our French Lavender Essential Oil), with a fresh, floral, soft aroma. Oregon Lavender (angustifolia) is a high grade aromatherapy oil that is teeming with the smell of fresh Lavender. Hungarian Lavender is preferred by many who prefer a milder variety. Lavender has been used in New Mexico and referred to as Alucema, as a treatment for colicky infants.
Oregano Oreganum vulgare
Featured in our March Issue, "12 Easy Recipes for Non-Toxid Household Use", Wild Oregano Oil is a household disinfectant. Wild Oregano Oil can be added to water in a mister and sprayed around the house to remove bacteria, mold and viruses in the air. Use a drop or two on a sponge or wet cloth for cleaning kitchen counters, sinks, stoves; and refrigerators in order to remove microbes. You may also use Oil of Oregano with soap to wash hands or skin after exposure to public bathrooms, classrooms, work environments, or airplanes. Wild Oregano Oreganum vulgare, is taken internally in a 1:10 or 1:5 dilution as an antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal.
Basil Ocimum basilicum
The aroma of Basil is calming and relaxing and supports focus and alertness.
Thyme Thymus vulgaris
As an external application, Thyme has antispetic properties, and has been traditionally used to support the removal of fungal infection of the toenails. Thyme warms and stimulates the lungs. Helps relieve congestion and expel mucus.
Rosemary Rosmarinus officinalis
Rosemary has been used traditionally to stimulate mental clarity and alertness, to ease dread and fatigue. It was also used in Europe to disinfect the air in hospitals.
Horehound Marrubium vulgaris
Sold as a bulk herb at our Taos Herb Co. retail store, Horehound is one of the best herbal remedies to eliminate mucus congestion of the chest and sinuses.
Mastranzo Mentha Rotundifolia (Apple Mint)
A round-leaved mint, Mastranzo is one of our Spanish Remedios, sold in our retail store in Taos. The tea made from the leaves of Mastranzo have the same uses as Peppermint, and repels mice.
Note: Dilute, Dilute, Dilute
Essential Oils are very concentrated and must be used carefully. Some essential oils can aggravate the skin. Undiluted essential oil of pennyroyal and cinnamon oil can be dangerous to pets.
If you have any questions, please consult your health care professional or veterinarian before using essential oils on you or your pets.
