[Lotus]

Squirrel,

I have a bottle of spearmint oil and it clearly warns "for external use only." Do you have something different?

Janet Doe wrote:
I have the same problem from my local heath food supplier, The spearmint oil is not food grade, hence not recommended for oral consumption. I did read that you should be able to replace that with a peppermint extract,

I have been applying spearmint oil topically now for a few weeks as a massage oil on the breasts. I think it's having a really positive effect. It produces a warm and tingling sensation. I haven't found anyone else using spearmint oil in this way, yet. It's hard to tell the impact of any one thing when you are using a cornucopia of stuff.

I'm confused on what the positive NBE benefits of applying spearmint oil to the breasts would produce other than a tingly (mentha) sensation , what target tissues/receptors are being effected?.

Menthol toxicity

Spearmint oil also contains menthol but in much lower concentrations. A teaspoon of oil with a high level of menthol can be lethal to a healthy adult. Menthol lowers blood pressure, causes convulsions and spasms, and can induce miscarriages.
This oil should be diluted so it can be used.

The essential oil of plants containing menthol can dramatically lower blood pressure in young children causing them cardiac depression. Therefore these oils are not suitable for children, even used topically as an ointment or aspirated through the nose . ( By inhaling the vapors of menthol, the children can suffer suffocation because of the spasm of the larynx)


Internal use of mints oils can cause convulsions or cramps . Applied internally, even diluted, can cause sleep problems or nervousness in some sensible people.


Although mint leaves, used in therapeutic amounts, should generally not to be toxic. It should not be used with people with hiatal hernia since it may increase heartburn. The ability of menthol to relax the esophageal valve can worsen acid reflux. Nor should these plants be used if the patient is affected from gallstones.


Essential oils containing menthol should never be administered to pregnant or breastfeeding women. Menthol has abortive properties and breastfeeding women can transfer its properties to the baby through the milk. It is neither advised to take mint leaves preparations in these latter cases.


People suffering from liver diseases should abstain taking mint essential oil preparations. All the same for people with some intestine disorders, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease or irritable bowel syndrome. It is neither recommended for patients who suffer from neurological diseases, such as Parkinson's disease.


Used diluted externally on the skin, essential oil containing menthol can produce eczema, redness, blisters, or headaches because it is absorbed through the skin. In case of using essential oil of mints, if you suffer any adverse reaction, it is better for you to leave the treatment immediately.