Wild Mint?

14 years ago

Is Wild Mint as strong as the other mints?

I have a product that contains wild mint & normally I can't use anything containing mint if I can smell it; I end up red, feeling like I'm on fire & itchy. But if I smell any in the product, it's light. Or maybe it's masked by other scents.

I did a skin test on the inner part of my arm & behind my ear & nothing happened. But usually when it does, there's heat involved from a shower. I don't know if I want to risk that sort of experiment.

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Comments (6)

francescod
14 years ago
It depends on what "wild mint" means. Some plants that aren't true mints (ie. members of the genus Mentha) have the word 'Mint' in their common name. These may have some of the same chemical components that make up the oil found in spearmint (Mentha spicata) or peppermint (Mentha xpiperita). If the 'Wild Mint', whatever it is, has the chemical component(s) that you are allergic to, then you will react. It isn't necessarily a question of strength but what it is made of. It sounds like you are allergic to or have a hypersensitivity to menthol-the main component of peppermint oil.

Some possibilities of 'Wild Mint':
Wild Monarda- Monard fistulosa-no menthol
Mountain Mint- Any of several species of Pycnanthemum some may contain menthol several contain menthone
Corn Mint- Mentha arvensis-no menthol
Japanese Corn Mint- Mentha canadensis- menthone and menthol

This is a perfect illustration of why common names of plants should never be used in products containing plant derived material.

I once had some one ask me which marjoram they should buy in order to re-create a perfume that listed Spanish marjoram oil as an ingredient. Actually, Spanish marjoram oil comes from a species of Thyme- Thymus mastichina. So this irresponsible labeling is not uncommon.

F. DeBaggio
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fatamorgana2121
14 years ago
Agreed on botanical names versus common names. Common names just have too many conflicts and foster confusion. And that's before any mislabeling, which happens too.

A simple question is why take the risk? Certainly there are other "products" to use, are there not? If you are looking for an herbal tea or some other herbal product of that nature, there are ones without mint.

FataMorgana
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LibbyLiz
Original Author
14 years ago
Sorry, I didn't know there were so many wild mints.

The ingredient is listed as mentha arvensis oil.

And yes, I have a reaction to menthol too.

It's weird, I can use mint gum & toothpaste & wear mint lip balms, but I can't use it on my skin.
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LibbyLiz
Original Author
14 years ago
I found this:
http://www.everestherbs.com.np/products/oil/mentha.htm

I think I will give it a try since it says it's dementholized & a non-irritant.
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LibbyLiz
Original Author
14 years ago
That didn't work out so good.

That conditioner is a no-go. :-(
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francescod
14 years ago
All mint is not the same in it's chemical make up. Since you are hypersensitive to menthol you should avoid peppermint (M xpiperita). Most spearmint (M spicata) does not have menthol or menthone in it. I say most because M. spicata is very variable and there are peppermint scented chemotypes of M. spicata which do contain menthol.

Most "mint" gums, toothpaste, lip balm probably contain spearmint oil.Most lotions or other products probably contain peppermint oil.

F. DeBaggio
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