Essential oils are increasing in popularity, but I’m leery of outlandish claims. I have experienced powerful benefits from using essential oils, yet I’m skeptical about some of the claims people are making about them. I believe in honesty when it comes to natural remedies and am not likely to fall for gimmicks or fear mongering marketing tactics that are used to get people to frantically make purchases out of an emotional state of mind. Essential oils have plenty of scientific evidence and testimonials (from those who use them) about practical every day methods to increase wellness and cleanliness in the home. We don’t need to diminish their reputation with spooky nightmarish tales or superstitious antidotes. Don’t let some of those popular naturo bloggers frighten you into lining their pockets with affiliate commission sales with their scare tactics. The best decisions we make for our health and wellness is done through wisdom, logic, and scientific evidence. Below are some of the practical uses of this powerful essence and how to get the most out of peppermint essential oil.
CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade essential oils are recognized as generally safe and peppermint can be used topically, internally, and aromatically. Those with skin sensitivity issues may want to dilute with a carrier oil prior to using topically.
Here are some of the benefits of peppermint essential oil:
Analgesic
Antibacterial
Anticarcinogenic
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Antiviral
Invigorating
More articles on the scientific evidence of peppermint essential oil here.
First Aid and Body
Digestive Upset: Just one drop of peppermint oil in 4-6 oz. water or tea taken internally can calm indigestion, an upset stomach, or other internal digestive commotion. It is believed to soothe infant tummy upset as well, by applying 1 drop to the tummy and gently massaging in. You can mix with a carrier oil to avoid skin sensitivity. 100% Shea butter is highly emollient.
Breath Freshener: After coffee, pizza, or salsa, peppermint oil with water creates a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse that leaves a lasting crisp, clean feeling. You can adjust the strength of that minty zing by using a toothpick amount rather than a drop. Simply dip a toothpick into the bottle then mix into your water. Do NOT double dip back into your oil bottle. Dry the toothpick first.
Open Air Ways: When sinuses seem stopped up or throats swollen and scratchy, diffuse peppermint oil (or apply topically with a carrier oil on the chest) for quick relief and to restore air flow. Peppermint has been known to act as an expectorant and may provide relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis. You can apply to palms of hands and cup your hands around your nose and mouth, then breathe deeply.
Soothe sore joints and muscles: Peppermint oil mixed with a carrier oil provides icy relief to the site and smells much better than popular over the counter muscle rubs. Apply without a carrier oil for faster relief.
Viral contaminants: Add 10 drops of peppermint oil to a 4 oz colored bottle with distilled water and spray into the air after someone sneezes in your home.
Stimulate thyroid function: Massage thyroid area of neck with peppermint oil a few times a day.
Cool down sore feet: If you’ve been on your feet all day or suffer from high-heel pain, just add peppermint oil to a cold water compress to cool sore feet.
Caffeine Alternative: The invigorating aroma of peppermint is a wonderful, non-stimulating way to heighten awareness on long drives, in school, and during late night homework. Add oxygen to this experience for lasting effects. Breathe long and deeply to get that much needed life force to your brain.
Cool down Cold Sores: Apply with a cotton swab
Invigorate your Shower time: Add peppermint to your shampoo and conditioner to stimulate the scalp, energize and wake up! The oil is an antiseptic in nature, and can also help remove dandruff and lice.
Allergy sufferers: Add a drop of peppermint oil to a Tbsp of honey and swallow with a water chaser.
Headache Reliever: Gently massage peppermint oil on temples to ease headache tension.
Cramping due to PMS: Massage abdomen and lower back to alleviate PMS cramps.
Inflamed Acne: Apply with a cotton swab to alleviate inflamed acne.
Fever aid: Apply peppermint oil to forehead, temples, and back of neck to help your fever reducing routine. You can also add a few drops to a tepid bath.
Bad Breath: You’ve brushed and flossed and still can’t tame your bad breath. Mix a few drops of peppermint oil to fractionated coconut oil to a dark colored bottle and shake well. Sip a few drops and swish slowly for 2-3 minutes. Spit, but don’t rinse.
Menopausal Symptoms: Spritz your neck with a peppermint and water solution to help alleviate hot flashes.
Cool Down Puffy Eyes: Avoid direct contact with eyes. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of cool water. Mix well and dip cotton circles into the water. Ring out and fold in half. Lay these halves over your puffy under eye area.
Improve Circulation in Varicose Veins: Massage directly onto varicose veins in an upward motion twice daily.
Charlie Horses: Gently massage a Charlie Horse with undiluted peppermint oil to tame the muscle.
Dry, itchy skin: After effects of a sunburn where skin is irritated and itchy, apply a misting of peppermint oil to cool, soothe and stop itching.
Ticks: Apply peppermint oil with a cotton swab. The tick should stop burrowing and remove its head.
Dental Use: Peppermint oil can act as a concentrated natural pain killer and muscle relaxant, especially with painful gums, teething or recent dental work. Apply with a cotton swab.
Toothpaste: Mix a drop of peppermint oil with baking soda for a refreshing cleanser for the teeth.
After Work Revitalizer Soak: After a long day, apply peppermint to your feet, neck, and chest, let it seep in and then soak in a warm bath or shower. The refreshing peppermint vapor will make you feel cool, relaxed and energized again.
Medicinal tea: Just one drop of peppermint oil can add life to any herbal tea and adds a slight sweetness to it while also aiding in normal digestion or to relieve heartburn.
Fitness Routine Starter: Using peppermint oil prior to exercise can awaken your senses and prepare you for an excellent jump start to your routine.
Sugar Addiction: Sipping tea infused with peppermint oil can help minimize sugar cravings.
Cooking & Food
Liven up desserts:
1 drop in a mug of hot chocolate
flavor frosting topping for your brownies
add to peppermint bark
chocolate cupcakes with cream cheese peppermint frosting
add peppermint to your vanilla ice cream
peppermint frosting on your sugar cookies
photo source: Lacy at Pix-O-Sphere
Freshen up your beverages:
Peppermint water on ice
peppermint mocha
peppermint tea
peppermint hot chocolate
Veggies:
Steamed Carrots: Add a drop or more to the water under your steamer basket when steaming carrots to lace them with peppermint goodness.
Mental Health
Peppermint oil activates the limbic function in your brain. The limbic function helps control things like emotions and long-term memory and is related to olfactory structures in your nose.
Holiday Joy: Diffuse peppermint oil to prepare the home for holiday guests. The aromatic power of peppermint can alleviate emotional tension prior to family arriving. When guests arrive, they will experience the joy of the aroma of peppermint to stimulate happiness in them as well.
Sadness: When you’re with someone who feels gloomy or like they “just don’t care”, ask them to try peppermint oil (aromatically, topically, or internally) to stimulate their mental sharpness and focus.
Stress: Peppermint oil may help restore feelings of normalcy and balance.
Help your kids to focus: Make an invigorating spritzer with peppermint oil and distilled water in a dark colored bottle with an atomizer. Spritz on your child’s neck for improved concentration and alertness.
Spirituality
Home Blessings: Apply peppermint oil to your door frames when blessing the home for energy, happiness, and cleansing bad spiritual energy.
Spiritual Clarity: Breathe in peppermint vapor from diffuser with closed eyes while sitting peacefully. Concentrate on your breathing until your heart rate is steady and calm. Allow the clarity to permeate your mind and soul while seeking spiritual guidance for making decisions.
Affirmations: Apply to temple and chest while reciting your affirmations especially when you need to mediate on positive thinking.
Housekeeping
Peppermint oil is a wonderful natural cleaning agent because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties.
Surfaces: Add peppermint to gentle soap and water in a spray bottle and spray on counter tops and bathroom surfaces.
Fridge: Make a spray with a few drops of gentle dishwashing soap, 10 drops of peppermint oil, and 16 oz of water (gently shake to mix) and spray down shelves of the fridge and wipe clean.
Scouring Agent: Add peppermint oil to baking soda for a natural scouring agent for your sinks, tub, and shower. Helps eliminate soap scum build up.
Stainless Steel Sinks: Add to baking soda to shine your stainless steel sinks and faucet fixtures. Rinse well and dry.
Household Pests: Many household bugs do not like peppermint oil — ants, aphids, beetles, lice, mice and cockroaches try to steer clear of peppermint. Just add to water in a spray bottle and spray where pests tend to frequent.
Resources
http://www.acupressure.com/blog/?p=424
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92761/
http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-705-PEPPERMINT.aspx?activeIngredientId=705&activeIngredientName=PEPPERMINT
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2007/0401/p1027.html
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265214.php
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21838
http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200711/the-hidden-force-fragrance
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7954745
http://www.gardenguides.com/81346-use-peppermint-oil-pest-control.html
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/home/4-essential-oils-for-a-green-home.htm
http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/all-natural-cleaning-solutions-00000000011547/page2.html
Retail investment of CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Oil (15mL) is $27.33, but you can enroll as a member ($35) and pay wholesale ($20.50) instead. Shoot me a message (lisasholistichome at gmail.com) and I can arrange a time to chat with you about the amazing benefits of buying wholesale.
You can contact me for further questions on Twitter @OrganicHSL or on Facebook. I’d be glad to go over your lifestyle goals and help you wisely select the option that fits your needs. Be sure to subscribe to get more updates about creating a holistic home where healing can happen.
*Disclaimer: As an Independent Product Consultant I provide my personal opinion and experiences with essential oils, and am not endorsed by dÅTERRA Corporate. None of what I testify of has been evaluated by the FDA, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. I am not a registered medical professional and I encourage you to discuss your health concerns with your own doctor. I simply share resources and tools to raise consumer awareness.
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