CAI-PAN Japanese peppermint oil

Peppermint has been known for its medical properties for thousands of years. Evidence and recordings show that many old cultures throughout the world relied on and greatly valued the peppermint plant for its healing qualities.

In Japan people have cultivated it to extract oils containing menthol for over 2000 years. Peppermint was even found in 3000-year-old Egyptian graves. The Chinese have always praised the relaxing and antispasmodic mint qualities.

Hippocrates (Greek physician, approx. 460-370 B.C.) believed it to be an aphrodisiac Plinius (Greek author 23-79 A.D.) greatly appreciated its pain-relieving effects. Charles the Great (Franconinan king and Roman emperor, 742-814 A.D.), ordered in 795 the cultivation of peppermint as a therapeutic plant within his realm. Culpepper (English doctor, herbalist, and astrologer, 1616-1654) described the peppermint as being effective in treating stomach- and intestinal problems.

CAI-PAN is the real Japanese peppermint oil, which is extracted from the plant "Mentha arvensis L. var. piperascens Holmes ex Christy," not to be confused with the common European peppermint "Mentha piperita L." which is a hybrid of Mentha aquatica L. and Mentha spicata L.

Mentha arvensis yields oil that can contain up to 90 % menthol, while the oil from Mentha piperita contains only up to 50 %. A high percentage of menthol is what allows peppermint oil to be an effective treatment. In contrast to Mentha piperita, Mentha arvensis has been proven to have antiseptic qualities.

Effects and Uses

The healing effects of the peppermint can be attributed to its components, the essential oils and especially to its contents of menthol. Peppermint oil has distinct cramp-easing, relaxing, and antiseptic properties that have proven to be effective, particularly in treating stomach cramps, intestinal- and biliary colics.

 Peppermint also has a positive affect upon muscle infiltration, cramps and muscle aches, because it stimulates blood circulation, thus promoting the secretion of sediments. Inhaling peppermint oil alleviates cold symptoms.

Peppermint is a volatile oil, which soothes and cools immediately when applied on the skin followed by a warming sensation. This is due to nerve-ends being stimulated, activating the blood circulation in the skin tissue and muscles.