Mentha Arvensis vs. Mentha Piperita: Which Peppermint Oil Should You Choose?

There are more than 25 recognized varieties and cultivars of peppermint worldwide, and today, we are going to discuss two of them in detail. When it comes to peppermint essential oil, not all varieties are the same—their nature and usage differ significantly. Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita are two popular species being sold under the name of peppermint essential oil. While they might look similar at first glance, they differ significantly in composition, aroma, and applications. 

If you’re purchasing peppermint oil for personal or commercial use, it’s essential to understand the key differences between Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita. Whether you’re formulating large-scale products or seeking a premium oil for personal care, knowing which variety suits your needs will help you make an informed decision.

What is Mentha Arvensis Peppermint Oil?

Mentha arvensis is popularly known as Corn mint, Wild mint, Japanese mint and Field mint. This variety of mint is native to temperate regions of Europe and Asia and widely cultivated in countries like India, China, and Japan. Mentha arvensis is a fast growing herbaceous perennial plant that can grow up to 1 meter tall. Mentha arvensis has a very strong minty, and cooling aroma. 

Through the method of steam distillation, peppermint essential oil is extracted from Mentha arvensis. For distilling the essential oil, the leaves and flowering tops of Mentha arvensis plants are used. The star compound that is responsible for giving Mentha arvensis a potent refreshing aroma is menthol. Mentha arvensis essential oil has up to 70% menthol and other ingredients like menthyl acetate, menthone, and isomenthone. 

What are the Common Uses of Mentha Arvensis Peppermint Oil?

As Mentha arvensis contains significantly more menthol than Mentha piperita, it becomes ideal for formulating products that require a potent cooling sensation, like pain relief balms, chest rubs, and cooling gels. Mentha arvensis is popular among bulk essential oil buyers as it is more affordable and potent in comparison to Mentha piperita, which makes it appropriate for large scale production. If you are looking for a perfect peppermint essential oil to formulate products like bath bombs, shower gels, soaps, scented candles, aromatherapy blends, pain relief formulations, cold rubs, nasal inhalers,

Cleaning solutions, and room freshener, then you should opt for bulk peppermint arvensis essential oil. As Mentha arvensis peppermint oil is more potent, a lesser quantity will be needed for product formulation. Mentha arvensis is cheap in comparison to Mentha piperita which will effectively reduce the cost of production for both small and large scale producers. 

What is Mentha pepirita Peppermint Oil?

Mentha piperita is commonly known as peppermint which is a hybrid variety of mint that originated by cross-pollination of watermint (Mentha aquatica) and spearmint (Mentha spicata). Through the process of natural and controlled crossbreeding, Mentha piperita gets characteristics of both parent plants. Mentha piperita has a fresh, minty aroma that is gentle and less potent in comparison to Mentha arvensis. 

Mentha piperita essential oil is also extracted through the steam-distillation method through the leaves and flowering tops of the plant. Mentha piperita has only 35-50% menthol content, which gives it a smoother and lighter aroma. Due to a lesser amount of menthol content, peppermint oil from Mentha piperita is used for the purpose of aromatherapy, skincare and personal care product formulation. 

What are the Common Uses of Mentha Pepirita Peppermint Oil?

Mentha piperita peppermint essential oil has a sweet minty aroma, which makes it perfect for aromatherapy usage. As Mentha piperita is expensive than its more affordable counterpart Mentha arvensis, it is only used in product formulations that require a less potent peppermint oil as an ingredient. Mentha piperita essential oil is a widely used ingredient in the formulation of cosmetics, lip balms, lotions, and foot creams due to its gentler, pleasant aroma and skin-nourishing properties.

Additionally it is added to face mists and toners in a tiny amount to impart refreshing qualities to them. The use of Mentha piperita peppermint oil is not limited to topical product formulations; it extends to food flavoring as well. The sweet and minty flavour of Mentha piperita makes it perfect to flavour food items like candies, gums, chocolates, and beverages. 

Mentha arvensis vs. Mentha piperita: Which One is Perfect for You?

Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita are two popular varieties of natural peppermint oil, each with a unique aroma and chemical composition. You can opt for one as per your particular needs. Let us help you understand which peppermint essential oil is best suited for your needs.

1. For Personal Care and Aromatherapy: As Mentha piperita has a smooth and refined aroma, it is going to be the perfect choice for luxury skincare, cosmetics, and aromatherapy products. On the other hand, Mentha arvensis is a common ingredient in the formulation of industrial and medicinal products because of its strong aroma and intense cooling effect.

2. For Skincare and Mass-Market Products: If you are looking for peppermint essential oil for high-end skincare formulations, like moisturizer and toners, then Mentha piperita will be a suitable option as it is enriched with gentle aroma and skin-friendly properties. Meanwhile, Mentha arvensis is widely used in mass-market personal care products and functional formulations like toothpaste, soaps and shampoos due to its lower cost and strong scent.

3. For Food and Beverages: Mentha piperita essential oil is popularly used for adding a distinct sweet, minty flavour to foods and beverages. Mentha arvensis, on the other hand, is rarely used in food products as it has a medicinal and slightly bitter taste.

4. For Medicinal and Topical Use: Mentha piperita is widely used in the formulation of oral healthcare and mild medicinal products like cough drops, digestive aids, herbal teas, and supplements. Whereas, Mentha arvensis dominates in topical pain-relief formulations like pain-relief sprays and muscle rubs because of its higher menthol content and stronger cooling properties.

Before making a choice between Mentha arvensis vs. Mentha piperita, you have to understand your unique requirements. The choice depends on whether you prioritize aroma, culinary use, or therapeutic strength.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are a small or large scale business owner or an individual looking for perfect peppermint essential oil, SVA Organics is here to serve. We understand that the quality of essential oils matter because they ensure your products work well and feel authentic. Low-grade Essential oils can ruin the consistency of your product, disappoint your customers, and hurt your brand value.

With SVA Organics, you get pure Mentha arvensis and Mentha piperita oils—undiluted and ethically sourced. They’re perfect for production or personal care, giving you reliable quality every time. Choose SVA Organics for peppermint oil you can trust. Email us at info@svaorganics.com for any inquiries related to our products and our team will try to resolve your query as promptly as possible.

Disclaimer

SVA Organics supplies essential oil for industrial and general use only. We do not guarantee them to heal, cure, prevent, or detect any ailment or disease. SVA Organics does not ensure 100% accuracy of any of the information that is published here.

CAUTION: If pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor's care, consult a physician. Discontinue use if irritation occurs. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of children's reach.