Peppermint oil falls under the class of essential oils. The oil is derived from peppermint herbs – a plant that grows throughout Europe and North America with a mint-like taste and flavor.
As the name suggests, both peppermints leaves and oils serve a myriad of purposes: the leaves are used as flavoring agents in foods and beverages, while the oil is used as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. There are assorted benefits derived from the use of this important oil.
But is peppermint oil flammable? As already mentioned, peppermint is an essential oil. As a thumb rule, all essential oils are flammable, which follows that peppermint oil is highly flammable.
Fluids are classified as flammable they have a flashpoint of not more than 60.5 degrees Celsius. Most essential oils like peppermint oil have a flashpoint of about 50 – 60 degrees Celsius, classified under Class 3 Flammable Liquids.
Let’s delve deeper into this topic, shall we?
Contents
What is Peppermint?
The peppermint plant has increasingly become a household plant as a result of the benefits associated with it. The plant has a European and North American origin and has spread throughout almost every region.
There are two types of peppermint plants: water mint and spearmint. Water mint, as the name suggests, grows in moist and wet environments. Spearmint also thrives in wet environments.
Both variations of the plants can be found growing alongside streams and even drains. Peppermint is considered an invasive plant and can easily take over your small garden if not controlled.
Peppermints are used in food and beverages because of their distinct taste and aroma. The plant also has purported health benefits.
The plant is promoted for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), other digestive problems. It also claimed that the plant is useful for treating common colds, sinus infections, headaches, and other conditions.
How is Peppermint Oil Obtained?
As the name suggests, peppermint oil is derived from the parent plant – peppermint. You might be interested as to how oil is derived from this plant.
Industrially, peppermint oil is produced by distilling certain chemical fractions from the peppermint plant. Menthol and menthone are then added to the oil to give the oil that minty taste and aroma.
You can, however, make your bottle of peppermint oil in the comfort of your home. Simply crush or muddle fresh peppermint leaves in a glass jar, add some olive or grapeseed oil to the crushed leaves, close it tight and shake.
Keep the jar in a cool part of your home for 3 days, then separate the leaves from the oil and discard the leaves. You can use the extracted oil to make more oil using the same process.
Is Peppermint Oil Flammable?
As mentioned earlier, peppermint oil is an essential oil. All essential oils are flammable because they have a low flashpoint and are easy to ignite.
Most essential oils flashpoint of about 50 – 60 degrees Celsius, so they are classified under Class 3 Flammable Liquids.
Specifically, peppermint oil has a flashpoint of about 66 degrees Celsius and thus should be used cautiously, especially near open flames. It can be a fire hazard in some cases.
It follows that peppermint oil should be stored in a tightly sealed bottle, away from naked flames and sources of sparks.
Is Peppermint Oil Hazardous?
While we are not health professionals and can’t speak confidently on this, as a thumb rule, you should never apply undiluted peppermint oil on your skin.
The safety sheet of peppermint oil states that it can cause skin allergy and irritations and eye irritations when it comes in contact with these body parts.
The safety sheet recommends that you wash your skin thoroughly with plenty of water and soap if the oil comes into contact with your skin. Also, if the oil comes in contact with your eyes. (Remove lens if you’re wearing one) and wash with a copious amount of water.
If the skin and eye irritation persist after washing, then it’s time to consult a health professional.
Can Water Extinguish Peppermint Oil Fire?
We have already established that all essential oils are flammable. A follow-up question thus might be how to handle an explosion caused by peppermint oil.
It is advisable that firefighters who are experienced should be called immediately to handle fire explosions.
As a thumb rule, water and oil don’t exactly mix well. Thus, water might be ineffective in putting off a peppermint oil fire; this is, however, dependent on how big the fire is.
Foam, carbon dioxide, and powder are best employed in extinguishing peppermint oil fires.
Always ensure to store peppermint oil in a cool, ventilated place, out of reach from children. Also, ensure that the lid of the oil bottle is tightly sealed or closed.
Uses Of Peppermint Oil
This post is not complete if we failed to highlight some of the advantages of peppermint oil around the home. This versatile oil is a must-have in your home. Some ways the oil can be used is outlined below:
- its antifungal and antibacterial qualities make it perfect for cleaning
- it is used to get rid of insects and bugs in the home.
- it is claimed to help with nausea, indigestion, and headache
- it can be used as an air freshener in your home.
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