Peppermint Essential Oil: Complete Benefits & Uses Guide
Essential oils are becoming one of the most popular topics to research these days. That's because they have so many different uses and they are considered very therapeutic. They are used for massage, beauty applications, cleaning, and many other uses. Essential oils may be one of the most versatile products available today. I recently discovered peppermint essential oils and decided to give it a try. I have always loved the smell and aroma of peppermint candy, so I thought it would be a pleasant ingredient to experiment with. I read up on the research, case studies, and various uses of this essential oil and I was amazed at how many different things it can be used for.
The results I got were excellent, too and I felt better immediately after using it for a muscle strain I got recently. I also like the way it seems to settle my stomach after eating something that did not agree with me! I'm having a lot of fun experimenting with the various other ways you can use peppermint, such as for cleaning and as a skin regimen.
In this post, we'll take a look at some of the most common uses of peppermint Oil and run through some of the case studies and research that we located during our extensive investigation. I think you will be delighted with my findings and I hope it will encourage you to try it, too. Peppermint really can help you feel better fast even if you take some along with you to sniff from time to time for a mood elevator!
Peppermint: A Favorite Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil is one of the favorite types of oils that are available on the market today. The origin of Peppermint is a hybrid mix between spearmint and water mint. The technical name for it is Menta Aquatica. It grows naturally in many areas of the world including the Brazilian Rain Forest, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. The use of Peppermint as an herb goes back to several different ancient cultures including ancient European cultures, as well as Chinese and Japanese medicine. There is even an allusion to the pleasant herb in ancient Greek mythology. Supposedly a nymph named Mentha was transformed into a pleasing herb by the god, Pluto who wanted to keep her around for many years later. The fact that Peppermint oil and the derivatives are in so many cultures indicates that Peppermint oil is popular across several different corners of the world and is consistently used and appreciated over time.
Popular Uses Of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint's natural qualities give the user a cooling sensation that has an effect of calming to the body and mind. This makes it a good source for use in massage due to its ability to relieve sore muscles when used on the skin.
If you are active in any sport, you will want to keep some of this handy elixir around you at all times. You never know when you might pull a muscle or need some quick remedy to alleviate soreness.
Peppermint oil can help by offering a safe, quick alternative to taking over-the-counter medications or spending money on doctors or chiropractors for the cure.
Of course, if you have severely injured yourself, we recommend that you get this checked out. But for many athletes, essential oils such as Peppermint oil can serve as a soothing alternative, or it can supplement what you do to alleviate the pain with other methods.
Refresh Bad Breath Immediately
There are other uses for Peppermint essential oils such as to help refresh bad breath or soothe stomach issues. It's natural medicinal properties make it one of the most coveted natural essential oils. The health benefits of Peppermint oil is well-documented and dates all the way back to 1,000 BC. Evidence of the use of this oil has been found in many pyramids in Egypt. So it was apparently highly valued in ancient Egypt. Peppermint is considered a highly-treasured natural herb that has a variety of great uses for every day, both medicinal and cosmetic. Some of the other uses of Peppermint Essential Oil are listed below:
Improves mental focus: Peppermint oil is known to help improve mental focus. It is not exactly known how it can do this. It could be the soothing smell, and the feeling people get when they are around the pleasant aroma of Peppermint. It could be the mint properties in the herb that hold some true medicinal value. Regardless of the origin, it produces a positive effect on the mind that many believe help them to focus.
Boosts energy: Peppermint oil helps boost energy. This works for many people whether you take a few drops in your drink or smell it to get a sudden boost of energy.
Many people carry their Peppermint oil around in their bag or pocket to get a quick lift through the day. Reduces stomach aches: The natural medicinal properties of Peppermint oil help reduce stomach disorders including nausea and stomach aches. Many people also report that it improves their digestion. This may be due to the soothing properties that are capable of reducing muscle spasms.
Clears respiratory tract: Another great benefit from Peppermint is its ability to clear up allergies and respiratory problems. The natural mint qualities help clear up sinus issues and allergies by opening sinus cavities and helping to restore free breathing.
Joint Therapy: Peppermint oil has often been used for joint therapy. It helps relax the muscles and makes joints more mobile. The effects that some people describe resemble a cold iced bath, but it keeps you warm and dry while enjoying the effects.
Other Uses
Peppermint oil is also known to help release tight muscles, and it serves as a muscle relaxant for muscle aches and pains. This makes it a cost-effective natural solution that can serve as an inexpensive replacement for pharmaceutical drugs. The rising cost of pharmaceutical drugs has motivated many to look for alternatives for the more expensive medications that also have many side effects. Below are some other uses for Peppermint that you might not have thought of including using it as a cleaning agent, a beauty product, or aromatherapy agent.
Using Peppermint Oil as a Household Cleaning Agent
In addition to the many health benefits that you can derive from Peppermint oil, you can also reap many household benefits, as well from the use of this essential oil. Take a look at some of the cleaning uses I have discovered while trying out Peppermint oil.
As an All-Purpose Cleaner
To use Peppermint Oil as an all-purpose cleaner, follow these directions:
Get an old spray bottle, 1/4 cup of white vinegar, and 30 drops of Peppermint oil.
Mix the vinegar with about 15 drops of Peppermint Oil and 15 drops of Lemon oil (or other essential oil).
Pour the mixture into your spray bottle to use around your home.
Use your cleaner to clean anything in your home that you would normally clean such as floors, bathrooms, kitchen sinks, and other areas.
As a Laundry Freshener
If you find your laundry smelling a little drab, try some refreshing Peppermint Oil in your next laundry job to lift your spirits and your clothing or bath towels. You can mix your Peppermint oil with unscented laundry detergent for a fresh, minty smell or try adding a few drops to your wool dryer balls instead. Either way, it will leave a crisp, fresh smell in your laundry that you'll love. For people who are allergic to traditional fabric softeners, Peppermint Oil will give you a clean, healthier alternative to your normal fabric softeners and other laundry chemicals that can irritate the skin.
As a Natural Air Freshener
If you would like something to freshen the air in your home naturally, you can't beat the clean, crisp smell of natural Peppermint Oil. The directions for creating natural Peppermint air freshener are given below:
Pour half a cup of rice into a container that will sit in the middle of the room.
Add 15-20 drops of Peppermint Essential Oils to the rice.
Stir the rice evenly to disperse the scent throughout the room.
As a Beauty Product
Peppermint essential oils can be used for a variety of beauty products. These applications can all contribute to your appearance and grooming routine while providing a healthy antiseptic ingredient that you can feel good about.
Eliminate dandruff or lice: You can eliminate dandruff and control lice by using Peppermint in your shampoo. Just put a few drops in your shampoo to help control lice or dandruff without the harsh chemicals you usually get when purchasing over-the-counter lice control or anti-dandruff shampoo.
Cool skin by adding to body wash or lotions: For that extra cool feeling that you can take with you, try putting a little Peppermint oil into your body wash or lotions. It will wake you up and keep you perky for hours. Add to body oil for a cool feeling after a shower or bath: Peppermint adds an extra crisp, cool feeling and aroma to your body oil. Use it for after bath body oils or massage oil.
As a facial cleanser-to prevent acne: You can use Peppermint oil as a facial cleanser, too. It gave me a refreshing, tingling, feeling and some people say it prevents acne.
As an Aromatherapy Agent
Have you ever enjoyed a candy cane or peppermint candy around Christmas, wishing you could enjoy that refreshing smell longer? Well, you can when you try Peppermint Essential Oils. Try a few drops of this delicious-smelling ingredient in your bath for a refreshing aromatherapy experience. For an extra experience, try putting some drops in a potpourri container or diffuser and let it dissolve into the air gradually. This pleasant smell will permeate the air and leave your entire home smelling fresh and exhilarating.
Strange Or Unique Uses For Peppermint Oil
One of the lesser-known uses for peppermint oil is as a bug repellent. There has been an increasing concern in recent years about the safety of insect repellents. In fact, some city councils in some towns and communities have even expressed concern over the spray that their cities have been spraying into the air. Some of these are known agents of neurotoxicity which can affect the central nervous system and other aspects of the body. You can't always stop your town from spraying it into the air, but you can control what you use as an insect repellent for yourself and your family. By substituting Peppermint oil for the harsher chemicals that you get from over-the-counter bug sprays that are absorbed by the skin, I like to opt for the more natural approach. Using essential oils such as Peppermint Oil for those pesky mosquitoes and other disgusting bugs does the trick, without the strong smell of chemicals and ingredients that are hard to read on the back of the container! I feel much better about using natural essential oils to repel insects, and it works just as well as the costly commercialized brands! The best thing about it is, no matter how much you like the smell of the Peppermint, the bugs hate it! So that means they will fly away the minute they detect it on you.
Many people think of essential oils as alternative medicines. But they are not a medication of any kind. They are more of a therapeutic aid. As mentioned before, they help calm and soothe sinuses, skin problems, or sore muscles. But they do it naturally. This is the greatest benefit you can get from using essential oils. I love using essential oils, especially Peppermint Oil because I know that I am using something natural and not full of chemicals that may have side effects. Peppermint comes from nature so I can trust the ingredients to be healthy. Several studies have been done that illustrate the positive effects and results of Peppermint Oil. Below are some of the results.
Study #1: IBS Therapy
In one study conducted by the NCBI and the National Institute of Health, it was discovered that Peppermint Oil that is designed for use with IBS is a safe and effective treatment for providing relief from IBS symptoms.
Study #2: Hair Growth Solution
In a separate study about the benefits and positive results of peppermint oil, the researchers at NIH discovered that Peppermint Oil had a 92% higher rate of results in growing new hair among those with hair loss than at least two of the other substances used.
Study #3: Muscle Strength and Exercise Performance
In a study regarding the effects of Peppermint Oil on the muscles and exercise training, the subjects improved in their performance on exercises such as the standing long jump (6.4%), standing vertical jump (7%), and grip force (36.1%). This is significant and may show that Peppermint Oil can greatly enhance the capabilities of physical strength when used on the muscles before an important event. The researchers were not clear whether the positive effects were attributable to the use of the Peppermint on muscles or the effects on the lungs when breathing in the aroma. Both appear to be beneficial to the person using it.
Essential Oil Recipes That Include Peppermint Oil
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Peppermint Oil Side Effects And Precautions
While Peppermint Oil has some great benefits to be derived from its use, there are a few precautions that you should take if you are using it. Mainly, be aware that ingesting peppermint oil may cause side effects for some people that include:
Heartburn
Flushing
Headache
Mouth sores
These symptoms are minor compared to the obvious benefits that you can get from Peppermint Oil. But you should try it a little at a time to make sure that you do not have any of these unpleasant reactions before you ramp up the amount you use. Always use precautions when using any herb, alternative medicine, or therapy, as you do not know the type of reaction you might have until you try it. Also, if you are taking any medications for any physical disorders, you may find it comforting to check with your doctor before using it.
Is peppermint oil toxic to humans? Like many essential oils, peppermint oil, can be toxic and even lethal at excessive dosages; it has been associated with interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure. It may have a choleretic effect and is contraindicated in patients with cholelithiasis or cholecystitis. (source) There may be a few other negative symptoms that could occur for some people when taking Peppermint Oil, but these effects are rare. It is considered healthy and safe when taken with food or used on the skin.
Can you drink peppermint oil? Be careful when ingesting and don't overdo the amount you use at one time. Also, be sure to check for possible interactions with drugs or other alternative supplements to make sure it doesn't lower or raise the effects of these substances. When taking iron substances, keep in mind that you should allow at least 3 hours between the iron and Peppermint Oil so that it does not result in any interaction.
Peppermint Essential Oil Research Facts
There has been a lot of research on Peppermint Oil that reveals its remarkable characteristics. New research has shown recently that peppermint can improve the level of antibiotic resistance that will help your body heal naturally.
This avoids the use of harsh chemicals that have ingredients with questionable qualities. In this age of health concerns where many companies fail to tell us where the products we consume come from, it is comforting to know that you can use Peppermint Essential Oils in so many ways to increase your quality of life and health.
Effects for C-Section Patients Positive
Other research involving women who had C-section births revealed that Peppermint Oil could greatly reduce the incidence of stomach upset including nausea following their C-section procedure. This is life-changing because of the ability of this ingredient to allow mothers to bond with their young without experiencing nausea and other symptoms that often get in the way of this important process. Again, consult with your doctor if you are unsure how you might react to the effects of Peppermint. But most people who use it only show positive effects after use.
Final Thoughts About Peppermint Oil
Peppermint essential oils have been a treasured element for centuries. Their uses date back to hundreds of years ago and are noted for their therapeutic benefits for health, beauty, and other uses. Also, you can use them for cleaning purposes, aromatherapy, or as a topic skin cleanser. You can use the soothing aroma of Peppermint Oil for sinus problems, muscle soreness, and a multiplicity of other uses. If you have not tried Peppermint Oil, now is a good time to try it. I had never tried it until recently, but now that I have, I can't believe I didn't try it earlier. Try Peppermint Essential Oils at your local health or nutrition store and see what you've been missing! I know that, for me, it has been a journey trying essential oils and so far, my favorite is by far the Peppermint Essential Oils. With its clean, exhilarating qualities, I find that it has just the right ingredients to lift my spirits, brighten my mood, and make me feel better almost instantly. Try just a few drops to see how you like it, and I'll bet you'll have the same reaction that I did. It is a great experience that you won't want to miss! Put Peppermint Essential Oils on your list the next time you take a trip to the health store. You'll be glad you did.
What Company Should I Purchase Peppermint Oil From?
I hope you enjoyed learning about all of the cool benefits and uses that peppermint essential oil offers. It is definitely one of the most versatile oils because it can be used to create so many different types of blends to solve your everyday problems. My personal favorite brand that I purchase most of my oils from is doTERRA. I find that they offer the highest quality oils, starter kits, and diffusers. They are especially good if you are brand new to oils because they offer a lot of free resources and education once you become a customer.
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