Spearmint Essential Oil

Spearmint essential oil is so ubiquitous that it hardly gets the attention it deserves, much like the fresh herb often found muddled in a cocktail and given little thought to the magnitude of its contribution. There was a time when Europe thought little of the herb and oil as well which may well be why it ended up on our shores – certainly for the flavor profile that Americans adore. But make no mistake, Spearmint is one great contributor. Where peppermint pairs well with Rosemary and Lavender oils in a hand cream or lotion, Spearmint is somewhat addictive when added to Rose Absolute or essential oil or a Rose hydrosol spray to mist on the body. The Carvone in spearmint makes it a good blender with Jasmine Absolute in perfumery compositions as well. It is one of the few herbs that has an almost identical scent profile in the bottle. One sniffs warm, spicy, herbaceous notes that are refreshing and comfortably familiar. Spearmint oil is used in candy, gum, toothpaste and mouthwash making it one of the most versatile in an essential oil collection. Jeanne Rose suggests spearmint essential oil can applied directly to acne and skin irritations as an effective treatment. An interesting thing I’ve observed as of late is that the majority of mint labeled plants in nurseries and grocery stores are spearmint plants, replacing peppermint plants almost exclusively.

Suggested uses: Add to DIY mouthwash, toothpaste, in muscle blends, perfumery compositions. Add a few drops to Rose Hydrosol for a beautifully refreshing body and face spray to combat sticky summer heat. Can applied neat to acne.