With so many minty aromas to choose from, how’s an oiler to know which one to use and when? While there’s a great deal of freedom to simply follow your nose and let it do the deciding, it’s a smart idea to explore the three big mint aromas and learn a few tips to help you decide what their specialties should be in your life and home. In no particular order, the three minty oils we’ll look at in this showcase are sweet Spearmint, classic Peppermint, and warming Wintergreen. While not a member of the mint family within the plant kingdom, Wintergreen is actually a member of the mint aroma family in the world of essential oils because of its minty, evergreen aroma. Go figure! While these three aromas clearly share the chewing-gum-flavor claim to fame, they certainly aren’t interchangeable as essential oils.
As discussed earlier this month, thanks to some markets offering a special promotion, dōTERRA® Spearmint is the mint you want to lean on when a gentle burst of freshness is called for. It’s recommended for work, study, or really anytime uplifting refreshment is needed. To pump up the invigorating intensity level, reach instead for your reliable bottle of Peppermint. And Wintergreen oil is the warming, soothing one that stands apart from the other two in that it is solely for external use. While Spearmint and Peppermint can spice up a smoothie or dessert in a lovely manner, Wintergreen oil wouldn’t be caught dead in the kitchen! Instead, it would be a sensible ingredient within a topical massage blend. Even so, be extra careful with Wintergreen, especially around little ones, because it comes from one of only two plants that contain a powerful chemical component called methyl salicylate. Remember that as you get to mixing and experimenting with your mints!
Lest anyone feel overly intimidated by these warnings about Wintergreen, let’s kick off our minty blending party with a rich diffuser combination featuring this unique, enlivening aroma.
Forest Encounter
- 2 drops Wintergreen
- 2 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Arborvitae
Deep, isn’t it? Outdoorsy and awakening, Wintergreen definitely offers its own kind of minty encounter. Lighten up with the following two blends, starring chill Spearmint and intense Peppermint together:
Evergreen Refresh
- 2 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Rosemary
Seaside Mist
- 2 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Peppermint
- 1 drop Citronella
As you can see, starting out with a basic blend of Spearmint and Peppermint allows you to build on that foundation with a drop or two of another sort of oil to take you to a totally different place. While the aroma of Rosemary surrounds you with green, owing to its herbaceous nature, cleansing Citronella brings you oceanside to enjoy a clean breeze coming in off the water. For a mega calm-down and cool-down, replace the Citronella in the recipe with Lavender!
Hopefully you’ve felt the stress melt away with these multiple minty aromas and learned a thing or two about how they operate. Spearmint, Peppermint and Wintergreen share a basic scent quality in common and blend beautifully together, while each preserving their own unique uses that require just a little common sense and know-how.