Blue peppermint (Eucalyptus dives)



Updated 17 January 2024

Botanical characteristics

  • Kingdom: Plantae 
  • Division: Magnoliophyta 
  • Class: Magnoliopsida 
  • Order: Myrtales
  • Family: Myrtaceae 
  • Genus: Eucalyptus
  • Part used: Leaves
  • Country of origin: Australia

Precautions for use

Caution! Blue peppermint essential oil is not recommended for children under the age of 6, infants, pregnant or breastfeeding women.

This oil contains ketones, which are neurotoxic molecules, so it is not recommended for people with asthma, epilepsy or seizure disorders.

It must be diluted in vegetable oil for use on the skin.

Other precautions

Cutaneous use:

  • For use on the skin, blue peppermint essential oil should be diluted to 10% (10% essential oil and 90% vegetable oil).

Endocrine effects:

  • Blue peppermint essential oil is abortive in high doses.

Contraindications:

  • Because of its neurotoxicity, blue peppermint essential oil is contraindicated in people with asthma or who suffer from convulsive or epileptic disorders.

Allergenic components:

Essential oil of blue peppermint contains biochemical allergenic components:

  • Linalool (≤1.5%)
  • Limonene (≤1%)
  • Geraniol (≤0.5%)

Note: It is best to test the essential oil before use (two drops on the crease of the elbow for at least 24 hours to check for a reaction).

Authorised users

 Adults and adolescents

Children under 6 years

 Pregnant and breastfeeding women

 Pregnant women younger than 3 months

 Infants under 3 years old

How to use

 Inhalation

 Cutaneous

 Oral

 Diffusion

Risks of use

 Skin irritation

 Neurotoxic

 Properties​

  • Antiviral
  • Anti-catarrhal, mucolytic
  • Lipolytic
  • Anti-infectious, antibacterial 
  • Hepatic and renal drainer, diuretic, urolytic, renal regenerator

Indications

Directions for use/usual dosage

  • Sinusitis: in synergy with other EOs (Ravintsare, Eucalyptus radiata, Peppermint, Tea Tree) in wet inhalation, or 2 drops applied locally to the sinuses 3 to 4 times a day.
  • Cellulite: in synergy with other EO (Niaouli, Lemon, Rosemary verbenone, etc.) diluted in a vegetable oil and massaged 2 to 3 times a day.

Cosmetic

  • Healing: Acne, ulcers, dull wounds