Have you ever wondered why minty bubble gum seems to boost your mood almost immediately after only a few chews and why brushing your teeth with toothpaste is so satisfying? The secret (that’s what we like to call it) is spearmint leaf oil. Apart from its fresh aromatics, spearmint oil is known as a mood-boosting agent. Its antiseptic properties make it ideal for babies and sensitive skin that are prone to infection.
Historically, spearmint oil has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic, Chinese and Greek medicine. The leaves were used to treat scurvy. It was also used to heal wounds by rubbing salt and spearmint leaves directly onto the broken skin. The Romans brought mint to Britain, from where it travelled to America. With time, spearmint became famous for its aromatic properties that it brought to food. Spearmint can now be found naturally in Asia and Africa.
The leaves of a spearmint plant are in the shape of small spears, hence, the name ‘spearmint’. It forms part of at least 30 different mint species. The oil is obtained through steam distillation of the leaves and flowering part of the plant. Spearmint contains only 0.5% menthol, whereas peppermint consists of 40% menthol. The well-known antiseptic properties of spearmint are due to the presence of caryophyllene, myrcene and menthol.
But by now you’re probably wondering why we’ve chosen it as the top essential oil for February.
February is a rough month of the year. The excitement of the new year has subsided and the stress for all the work that must be done (and wasn’t done in January) seems to increase by the hour. It’s a month where people are still trying to commit to their wonderful (or so it seemed) new year's resolutions and a month where all the bliss of the Christmas holidays are forgotten. Is this just making you more depro? My apologies.
But, here comes the good news. What you really need in your life this month is spearmint leaf oil and, contrary to popular belief, not another holiday (but that would be nice too). The energizing, cleansing and alleviating properties of spearmint leaf oil will help you feel more on top of the day, ready for action, at ease and focused. So next time you feel like you just want to skip to March; rub a bit of spearmint oil on your temples before leaving the house, get one of those cool car fresheners (spearmint scented of course), exchange your green tea for a fresh mint tea and try the Le Riche Naturals Spearmint & Lavender Moisturiser.
Our moisturiser is there to get you and your skin through the toughest of days. The synergistic blend of lavender and spearmint oil creates a therapeutic experience for every use whilst ensuring dramatic results. So, say goodbye to those February blues and blackheads, and say hello to spearmint leaf oil.