Corn Mint / Field Mint
(Mentha arvensis L.)
Background
The main commercial source of natural menthol. India and China are the largest producers. "Dementholized" corn mint has part of the menthol removed and smells closer to peppermint.
Therapeutic
properties
Strongly cooling, analgesic, decongestant, antipruritic, and antiseptic.
Detailed uses
Pain relief
Muscle aches, joint pain, and neuralgia (use only at low dilution, around 0.5-2%, in a gel or balm).
Itching
Insect bites, heat rash, and mild itchy skin.
Colds
One drop in a bowl of hot water or an inhaler for blocked nose and sore throat.
Balms and inhalers
Base ingredient of many commercial vapor rubs, lip balms, and toothpastes.
Cooling products
Foot creams for hot, tired feet; after-sun gels; sports cooling sprays.
Mental alertness
A very small amount for headaches and drowsiness.
Herbal medicine
Used in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine (known in Chinese medicine as bo he) for colds, fever, headache, sore throat, and some digestive complaints, usually as tea or topical balm.
Fresh leaf
Crushed on the forehead or temples as a simple traditional remedy for headache.
Blends well with
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- rosemary
- camphor-rich oils
- ginger