Essential oils have garnered widespread popularity for their therapeutic properties and delightful scents. Among the most cherished oils is peppermint, renowned for its fresh, herbaceous aroma and numerous health benefits. However, a darker reality looms behind the booming essential oil market, particularly concerning India's production and distribution of "peppermint" oil. In this article, we shed light on the questionable practices surrounding India's mint oil production.
India's Dominance in the Mint Essential Oil Industry
Over the past two decades, India has emerged as a leading grower and distiller of mint essential oils, producing over 85% of the world's supply. It is highly likely that your peppermint essential oil originates from the Himalayan foothills of northern India. However, beneath this impressive figure lies a troubling concern that consumers need to be aware of.
The Distinction Between Peppermint and Cornmint
In India, both peppermint (Mentha piperita) and cornmint (Mentha arvensis) are cultivated. However, the term "mint" is used collectively to sell these oils, leading to confusion and potential deception. The crucial distinction between peppermint and cornmint lies among other things in their menthol content, a vital component responsible for many of the oils' beneficial properties.
The choice between cultivating peppermint and cornmint largely revolves around economic factors. Cornmint boasts a higher menthol percentage (70-80%), making it more lucrative for farmers due to its higher market value. On the other hand, peppermint yields only 35-45% menthol and is priced lower at harvest. As a result, most farmers opt for cornmint to maximize their income.
The Issue of De-mentholized Mint Oil (DMO):
India holds a significant position as the world's largest producer of natural menthol crystals (over 70%). The process of extracting menthol involves taking fresh cornmint and peppermint oils to menthol factories, where a substantial portion of the natural menthol is stripped from the oils. These menthol crystals find their way into various consumer products like chewing gums, cigarettes, perfumes, toothpaste, candies, and pharmaceuticals.
Following the extraction of menthol, what remains are the residual cornmint and peppermint oils. In many cases, these oils are combined and sold as De-mentholized Mint Oil (DMO). This DMO is then exported to the US and European markets, where it is often relabeled and sold as "peppermint oil," even though it may lack a significant portion of the original menthol content.
The Powers of Mentha Piperita, or classical Peppermint
Peppermint showcases vibrant green leaves with reddish leaf veins, featuring tapered tips and jagged edges. The leaves have a rough texture, resembling hair, and beautiful purple flowers complete the plant's appearance.
Peppermint is native to the Mediterranean region and is extensively cultivated in the United States, Italy, England, and Japan. This remarkable herb emits a robust, fresh, and herbaceous minty aroma, instantly invigorating the senses.
Peppermint offers a plethora of health benefits, including aiding in respiratory relief, soothing muscle and joint discomfort, boosting energy levels, and alleviating symptoms of colds, coughs, sinus congestion, and nasal blockage.
Mentha Arvensis var Piperascenes, also called Cornmint or Japanese Peppermint
Cornmint boasts opposite oval leaves, characterized by rough, serrated edges. Its small purple flowers cluster together to form a distinctive head, adorned with dense hair on the top of its stem. Known by various names such as Japanese Mint, Wild Mint, and Field Mint, Cornmint is found in North America, Siberia, and the Himalayas.
The scent of Cornmint is sweet, minty, and herbaceous, exuding a calming and refreshing aura. It has long been used as a folk remedy for a broad range of ailments, including gastrointestinal problems and sore throats. Wild mint has been found to have powerful antimicrobial, antifungal and antioxidative effects.
The Conclusion about two mint plants who can easily stand their own ground.
Both Peppermint and Cornmint are valuable herbs in their own right, each offering unique scents and benefits. However, it is essential to recognize their distinctions to fully appreciate their individual contributions to aromatherapy and natural wellness practices. Cornmint has gained the reputation of being inferior to peppermint because it is being mostly used for menthol extraction and in the essential oil industry to adulterate peppermint oil. This is unfortunate as the herb can easily stand on its own as a healing herb, however its reputation had to suffer unjustly. It is not that the herb itself is inferior, it is the dishonesty within the essential oil market which poses the issue. It is often being sold under false pretence, lacking transparency and honesty, when as conscious consumers, all we want to know are the origins of the oils we use and to support suppliers committed to authenticity.
At PlantaExquis, we take pride in contributing to a more transparent essential oil market through our products and educational content. We advocate for the knowledge and awareness necessary to make informed choices, ensuring that the oils we embrace are indeed authentic and potent sources of natural healing and well-being. Let us unite in fostering a market built on integrity and trust, where the true essence of essential oils shines through, enriching our lives with their bountiful benefits.
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