What are Essential Oils?

Essential oils are organic compounds extracted from the bark, flower, fruit, leaf, seed or root of a plant or tree and have several healing properties. The oils in the plants are made up of very small molecules that can penetrate your cells, and some can even penetrate the blood-brain barrier. These oils are highly concentrated and have a strong aroma and can be used in aromatherapy and their benefits range from mental to physical healing.

What Is Peppermint Essential Oil?

Peppermint essential oil is a very versatile oil that is extracted from the leaves of the peppermint plant. It is one of the oldest European herbs and has been used for hundreds of years for its antimicrobial and antiviral properties. It has and still is used aromatically, topically and internally to help soothe and address a number of ailments ranging from headaches, seasonal allergies, digestive problems, skin, hair and mental health.

Peppermint is a hybrid plant of water mint and spearmint. Menthol is the most active ingredient in peppermint, giving the leaves their energizing and invigorating effects. It is values for its soothing effects on the gastric lining of the colon and for its anti-nausea benefits. It can be used to relieve sore muscles, freshen breath and help fight infections. Here are few more reasons to give peppermint essential oil a try. 

Using Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is safe to use with or without carrier oils and is a very versatile oil to use both internally and externally. You can use it as needed or on a daily basis to help improve your health naturally.

Ways to Use Peppermint Essential Oil

Create a Massage Oil

Because peppermint oil can invigorate, soothe and cool your skin, it can make for the perfect massage oil to help relax tense muscles. Dilute several drops of peppermint oil into a carrier oil such as grapeseed or almond oil and massage (or have someone else massage) the oils on your skin. You can also add other essential oils such as lavender or eucalyptus essential oil to the mixture for an added relaxation bonus.

Foot Scrub

If you have been on your feet all day or they just need added attention and relaxation, you can create a foot scrub using peppermint oil and bath salts. Self Verve’s Breathe bath salt is mixed with peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil that can serve as both, a foot scrub and a body scrub. You can also create your own peppermint foot scrub in the comfort of your own home.

Diffuse it

Want to feel alert and awake, or need to relieve congestion? Add 5-6 drops of peppermint oil to a diffuser for an uplifting and energizing aroma.

Use it internally

Not only can you enjoy the topical or aromatic benefits of peppermint essential oil, you can also use it internally. You can cook with the essential oils or peppermint leaves themselves. You can find both in your local grocery store.

Try adding a 1-2 drops of peppermint oil to your smoothies, drinks and water. Not only will it freshen your breath and help with stomach issues but it will put an added kick to your day, especially if you are going to be very active.

Improve IBS Symptoms

Peppermint oil reduces spasms in the colon, relaxes the muscles of the intestines and helps reduce gas and bloating. Try taking 1-2 drops of peppermint oil internally with a glass of water or take peppermint capsules before meals. Also, try applying 2-3 drops of the oil to your stomach.

Reduce Nausea

If you are suffering from nausea for whatever reason- from motion sickness to surgery recovery- you can use peppermint oil to help relieve your nauseous feeling. You can simply inhale peppermint oil directly from the bottle, use an inhaler for nausea, rub 1-2 drops of oil behind your ears or add 1 drop of oil to a glass of distilled water.

Increase Energy and Improve Exercise Performance

By inhaling peppermint oil a few times, you can enhance your physical performance and boost your energy levels to give you that little push during weekly workouts.

Boost Skin Health

It has been proven that peppermint oil has the potential to treat skin diseases such as chicken pox, greasy skin, dermatitis, itchy skin, sunburn, ringworm, blackheads, inflammation, acne and scabies.

For a natural skin remedy, mix 2-3 drops of peppermint oil and 2-3 drops of lavender oil and apply the combination topically to the area of concern. 

Sunburn Protection and Relief

To help heal skin from sunburn, and to help protect your skin, mix 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with half a teaspoon of coconut oil and apply the mixture directly to your skin.

Promote Hair Growth and Reduce Dandruff

To use peppermint oil as a natural treatment for your hair, you can add 2-3 drops to your shampoo and conditioner to promote hair growth and nourishment. Try making a homemade shampoo using rosemary and peppermint oil. You can make a hair spray by adding 5- 10 drops of oil to a spray bottle filled with water. If you want an easier alternative, massage 2-3 drops of peppermint oil to your scalp in the shower.

Relieve Joint and Muscle Pain

The next time you are feeling pain or tension, try applying 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to the area of concern 3 times a day. You can also add it to bath water with Epsom salt to give yourself a nice, relaxing, pain relieving bath.

Headache Relief

By simply applying 2-3 drops to your temples, forehead and back of your neck, you can start to relieve those annoying and painful headaches.

Oral Health and Fresher Breath

To boost your oral health, you can add a few drops to your store-bought toothpaste or add a few drops of peppermint oil under your tongue before drinking water. If you want to opt for a more natural route, you can make a homemade toothpaste with baking soda and peppermint oil as well as a homemade mouthwash.

Naturally Repel Bugs

You can repel these critters naturally with peppermint oil. Pests like roaches, mosquitoes, spiders, ants and even mice don’t like the smell of peppermint oil. It may even be effective towards ticks and lice.

To repel insects, simply rub peppermint oil on your skin before going outdoors or create a natural bug spray using 5- 10 drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with water and spray in areas you want to repel. 

Peppermint Essential Oil Precautions

If used the correct way, peppermint oil is considered safe to use. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to dilute the oil in a carrier oil like coconut oil or jojoba oil for topical use. If this is your first time using peppermint oil topically, perform a patch test before full body application.

Peppermint oil can cause irritations when applied to the face or chests of infants or small children, so it should be avoided in those areas. Not enough evidence is known if peppermint oil should be recommended for pregnant women or nursing women. It’s best to consult with your physician before use.

Keep in mind that some over-the-counter and prescription medications may adversely interact with peppermint oil. Be sure to consult with your doctor or physician before use. Enteric-coated peppermint oil supplements may cause rapid dissolving which can lead to heartburn, nausea and rapid absorption of some medications.

Peppermint oil can reduce absorption of iron when taken simultaneously. Allow at least 3 hours between taking the two to help avoid this.  

What is your favorite way to use peppermint essential oils? Let us know in the comments below.