Scent Almanac
Peppermint
Mentha × piperita
Sharp, cooling menthol over a sweet, candy-like mint. Loud and bright; overused it tips into toothpaste.
- Made from
- Steam-distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of the peppermint plant.
- Strength
- ●●●●● a little goes a long way
- Cost
- Budget
- Moods
- EnergizingFocusingRefreshing
- Seasons
- Winter, Summer
- Rooms
- Office, Kitchen, Bathroom
Cautions
- Caution around pets (especially cats and birds) — don't diffuse in their space
- Not for diffusing around young children
Menthol can sting skin and eyes at high levels. It is commonly advised against diffusing near babies and young children, and it is hazardous to cats and dogs.
How it behaves
CandlesGood
Throws strongly hot and cold even in soy — start at the low end of your wax's range and adjust.
Wax meltsGreat
Reed diffuserGreat
Room & linen sprayGreat
Electric (water) diffuserGreat
Cold-process soapGood
Softens noticeably over cure. Pair it with a little spearmint or a base note to hold it. Menthol makes skin tingle, so keep it moderate in face bars.
Melt-and-pour soapGreat
Laundry & cleaningGreat
Strong enough to come through in cleaning sprays and dryer-ball blends.
Pairs well with
Spearmint
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Eucalyptus
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Rosemary
Middle · Herbal
Essential oil
Lavender
Middle · Floral
Essential oil
Lemon
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Grapefruit
Top · Citrus
Essential oil
Tea Tree
Top · Herbal
Essential oil
Vanilla
Base · Gourmand
Fragrance oil
Chocolate
Base · Gourmand
Fragrance oil
Fir Needle
Middle · Woody
Essential oil
Don't have it? Try Spearmint.
In these blends
Eucalyptus Steam Room
The cool, clearing air of a spa steam room after a long week.
Eucalyptus · Rosemary · Lavender · Atlas Cedarwood · Peppermint
RefreshingCleanCalmingWinterSpring
Deep Work
A clear head and a closed door: bright lemon over focused herbs.
Rosemary · Lemon · Virginian Cedarwood · Cypress · Peppermint
FocusingEnergizingAutumnWinterSpring
Snowy Pines
Cold, clean mountain air and a stand of pines under fresh snow.
Pine · Fir Needle · Atlas Cedarwood · Eucalyptus · Peppermint
RefreshingCleanWinter
Peppermint Bark
Holiday candy tins: cool peppermint over creamy chocolate.
Almond · Chocolate · Coconut · Spearmint · Peppermint · Vanilla
FestiveNostalgicWinter
A little lore
Peppermint is a natural hybrid of watermint and spearmint.