Sure it may remind you of Christmas and candy canes, but peppermint essential oils shouldn’t be limited to holiday-themed projects. Bramble Berry carries two types of peppermint essential oils, and while their differences are subtle, they can be important! Read on to learn more about both kinds of peppermint essential oil and how you can use them in a wide variety of projects.
Bramble Berry carries two types of peppermint essential oil: 1st Distillation and 2nd Distillation. Oils that have multiple distillations are often referred to as ‘redisilled’ or ‘rectified’. Distillation refers to the method of extracting the essential from the plant. During distillation, the oil is separated through vaporization and condensation. As their names suggest, one oil is distilled only once, while the other oil goes through the process twice, making for a sharper, more traditional mint scent.
The difference is in the smell. Whereas the 1st Distillation smells sweet like a candy cane, the 2nd Distillation smells more minty fresh, like peppermint gum. Both essential oils are grown locally in the northwest — Peppermint 1st Distilled is grown in our own Yakima, Wash., while the 2nd Distilled is from Idaho.
Both peppermint essential oils contain a high amount of menthol which causes a slight cooling sensation, making them a great option for wash off products such as soaps, shower gels and bath fizzies. The slight cooling sensation can be irritating in sensitive regions of the body, including the eye area and mucus membranes.
As part of our Happy Feet week, Peppermint 1st Distilled is 35% off with the coupon code ‘PRETTYPAWS.’ Because the menthol in peppermint essential oils causes a pleasant cooling sensation, it’s great for spa products (but please, nothing that goes near the eyes). Try it in the Cranberry Seed Foot Scrub, Rose Clay Foot Mask or the Invigorating Foot Soak.
Traditionally, peppermint has been used in blends to soothe sore muscles (thanks menthol!), and peppermint oil vapor is sometimes inhaled to treat symptoms of colds and coughs. To read more about peppermint and its possible therapeutic effects, take a look at this article from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
Both types of Peppermint Essential Oil hold up remarkably well in cold process and melt and pour soap. Take a look at a few of our favorite projects below:
Left: Butterfly Swirl Cold Process
Top: Frog Foot Swirl Cold Process
Bottom: Cool Yule Peppermint Loaf
Peppermint Essential Oils are also great for blending. Use them if you’re looking to add interest to sweet or fruity scents. Take a look at some combinations we’ve experimented with below!
 Peppermint Essential Oil Blends
 Pineapple Cilantro Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distilled
Sweet Meyer Lemon Fragrance Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distilled
Dark Rich Chocolate Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 1st Distilled
Ginger Lime Fragrance Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distilled
Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distilled and Lychee Red Tea
Peppermint Essential Oil, 2nd Distilled and Cedarwood Essential Oil
What kinds of projects have you used Peppermint Essential Oil in? Or, do you have a favorite blend to share?
