Chocolate Mint Essential Oil: A Guide to Benefits, Uses and Side Effects

Minty, chocolatey and refreshing, chocolate mint essential oil is a delicious way to enjoy the benefits of mint essential oil. This versatile oil can be used in many different ways, from promoting digestive health to aiding in weight loss. Plus, it smells amazing!

Essential Oil Profile / Monograph

Botanical Name: Mentha × piperita f. citrata

Common Names: Chocolate mint, candy mint

Plant Family: Lamiaceae

Countries of origin: United States

Extraction Method: Steam distillation

Parts Used: Leaves

Essential Oil smell: Minty, chocolatey

Essential Oil Color: Clear to pale yellow

Viscosity: Thin

Perfumery Note: Top

Strength of Aroma: Strong

Blends Well With: Basil, Bergamot, Cedarwood, Eucalyptus, Lemon, Orange, Peppermint, Rosemary, Tea Tree

Therapeutic Properties: Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antibacterial, decongestant, emollient

Uses: Aromatherapy, massage, skin care

Contraindications: None known

Side Effects: Chocolate mint essential oil is generally safe to use. However, it can cause skin irritation in some people. If you experience any negative side effects, discontinue use and consult a doctor.

Essential oils are concentrated forms of the plant they are derived from. As such, they should be used with caution. Always dilute essential oils in a carrier oil before applying them to the skin. Do not ingest essential oils unless you are under the care of a qualified healthcare provider. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult a doctor before using essential oils.

Chemical Constituents: Menthol (40-60%), Menthone (10-30%), Menthyl acetate (3-10%)

What is Chocolate Mint?

Chocolate mint essential oil is made from the leaves of the chocolate mint plant (Mentha × piperita f. citrata ‘Chocolate’). This perennial herb is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint and is native to Europe.

The chocolate mint plant has dark green leaves with chocolate-colored veins and flowers that range in color from white to lavender. The oil is extracted from the leaves using steam distillation.

Chocolate mint essential oil has a sweet, refreshing scent that’s reminiscent of both mint and chocolate. It’s also one of the few essential oils that tastes good!

Benefits

Chocolate mint essential oil has a variety of benefits thanks to its menthol content. Menthol is an organic compound found in mint plants. It’s responsible for the plant’s minty smell and taste, as well as its cooling properties.

Menthol has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties. This makes chocolate mint essential oil a helpful treatment for headaches, muscle pain, and congestion.

Here are some key benefits:

1. Promotes Digestive Health

Chocolate mint essential oil can help to relieve indigestion, nausea and other stomach issues. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive system. Menthol is also a natural painkiller, so it can help to ease stomach cramps and other types of abdominal pain.

2. Aids in Weight Loss

Chocolate mint essential oil may also help with weight loss. This is because it can help to increase metabolism and suppress appetite.

3. Relieves Stress and Anxiety

Chocolate mint essential oil can help to relieve stress and anxiety. This is thanks to its refreshing scent, which can help to clear the mind and promote relaxation.

4. Boosts Energy Levels

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to boost energy levels. This is thanks to its refreshing scent, which can help to clear the mind and promote alertness.

5. Improves Respiratory Health

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to improve respiratory health. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has decongestant properties.

Menthol helps to thin mucus and open up the airways, making it easier to breathe.

To use chocolate mint essential oil for respiratory health, add a few drops to a diffuser or inhaler and inhale it. You can also add it to a bath or massage it into your chest and back.

6. Clears Congestion

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to clear congestion. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has decongestant properties.

Menthol helps to thin mucus and open up the airways, making it easier to breathe.

7. Reduces Inflammation

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to reduce inflammation. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has anti-inflammatory properties.

Menthol helps to reduce swelling and redness, making it a helpful treatment for conditions like arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

8. Soothes Muscle Pain

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to soothe muscle pain. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has analgesic properties. Menthol helps to numb pain receptors, providing relief from aches and pains.

To use chocolate mint essential oil for muscle pain, add a few drops to a carrier oil and massage it into the affected area. You can also add it to a warm bath or add a few drops to your lotion.

9. Improves Oral Health

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to improve oral health. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has antiseptic and antibacterial properties.

Menthol helps to kill bacteria in the mouth, preventing cavities and gum disease.

To use chocolate mint essential oil for oral health, add a few drops to your toothpaste or mouthwash. You can also put a few drops on your toothbrush before brushing your teeth.

10. Moisturizes Skin

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to moisturize skin. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has emollient properties. Menthol helps to soften and smooth the skin, making it a helpful treatment for dryness and roughness.

To use chocolate mint essential oil for moisturizing, add a few drops to your lotion or cream. You can also add it to your bathwater or massage it into your skin.

11. Reduces Fever

Chocolate mint essential oil can also help to reduce fever. This is thanks to its menthol content, which has cooling properties. Menthol helps to lower body temperature, making it a helpful treatment for fever.

To use chocolate mint essential oil for reducing fever, add a few drops to a diffuser and inhale it. You can also add it to a cold compress and apply it to your forehead.

Uses

Chocolate mint essential oil can be used in a variety of ways. It can be added to diffusers, inhalers, and baths. It can also be diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin or added to lotions and creams.

To use chocolate mint essential oil in a diffuser, add a few drops to the water and turn on the diffuser. Inhale the scent for relaxation and to clear congestion.

To use chocolate mint essential oil in an inhaler, add a few drops to the cotton wick and inhale it as needed. This is a great way to get the benefits of menthol for clearing congestion and reducing inflammation.

To use chocolate mint essential oil in a bath, add a few drops to the water and soak in it for 20-30 minutes. This is a great way to get the benefits of menthol for relaxation, clearing congestion, and reducing inflammation.

To use chocolate mint essential oil on the skin, add a few drops to a carrier oil and apply it to the desired area. This is a great way to get the benefits of menthol for reducing inflammation and soothing muscle pain.

To use chocolate mint essential oil in lotions and creams, add a few drops to the desired product. This is a great way to get the benefits of menthol for moisturizing skin and reducing fever.

Historical use of Chocolate Mint as a herbal medicine

Chocolate mint has been used medicinally for centuries. The leaves were traditionally used to make a tea that was said to soothe the stomach and aid in digestion. The oil was also used topically for muscle pain and inflammation.

Topical use

Chocolate mint essential oil can be used topically for a variety of purposes. It can be diluted with a carrier oil and applied to the skin or added to lotions and creams.

Chocolate Mint Essential Oil benefits for skin

It can help to improve skin health in a number of ways. It can moisturize dry skin, relieve itchiness, and reduce inflammation.

Chocolate Mint Essential Oil benefits for hair

It can also help to improve hair health. It can stimulate hair growth, prevent dandruff, and relieve scalp itchiness.

Aromatherapy

Chocolate mint essential oil can be used in aromatherapy to promote relaxation and clear congestion. It can also be used to reduce fever and inflammation.

Diffuser blends for aromatherapy with Chocolate Mint Essential Oil

1. Lavender and chocolate mint for relaxation

2. Eucalyptus and chocolate mint for clearing congestion

3. Peppermint and chocolate mint for reducing fever

4. Rosemary and chocolate mint for relieving muscle pain

5. Chamomile and chocolate mint for soothing skin

6. Bergamot and chocolate mint for uplifting the mood

7. Lemon and chocolate mint for refreshing the mind

DIY recipes with Chocolate Mint Essential Oil

Massage Oil

1/4 cup of almond oil

10 drops of chocolate mint oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and massage into the skin.

Bath Bomb

1 cup of baking soda

1/2 cup of citric acid

1/2 cup of cornstarch

1/2 cup of epsom salt

1/4 cup of almond oil

10 drops of chocolate mint oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and add to a bath bomb mold. Let dry for 24 hours before using.

Bath Salts

1 cup of epsom salt

1/2 cup of baking soda

1/4 cup of sea salt

10 drops of chocolate mint oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and add to a bathtub filled with warm water. Soak for 20-30 minutes.

Body Lotion

1/4 cup of shea butter

1/4 cup of coconut oil

1/4 cup of almond oil

10 drops of chocolate mint oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and apply to the skin.

Shampoo

1/4 cup of castile soap

1/4 cup of water

1 tablespoon of honey

10 drops of chocolate mint oil

5 drops of lavender essential oil

Mix all ingredients together and use as a regular shampoo.

Frequently Asked Questions

References:

The Wonderful Activities of the Genus Mentha – NCBI

Protective effects of Mentha piperita L. leaf essential oil against CCl₄ induced hepatic oxidative damage and renal failure in rats