Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint has been used by many ancient cultures, including the Egyptians, Chinese, and American Indians, no doubt because of its extremely useful health-promoting properties.

• Application:

Diffuse. Massage on the stomach or add to water or tea for supporting normal digestion. Apply to bottom of feet or rub on the temples to treat headaches. To improve concentration, alertness, and memory, place 2 drops on the tongue. Add to food as a flavoring and preservative. Add a drop or two to a bottle of water curb appetite, and for a cooling refreshment on a hot day.

• Fragrant Influence:

It is purifying and stimulating to the conscious mind.

• Safety Data:

If pregnant or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, mucus membranes, or sensitive skin areas. Do not apply “neat” to a fresh wound or burn.

Peppermint is one of the oldest and most highly regarded herbs for soothing digestion, and has been extensively studied for it’s effect on the liver and respiratory systems. Peppermint has also been researched for it’s role in affecting impaired taste and smell when inhaled, and it’s ability to improve concentration and mental accuracy.

One study examined peppermint’s ability to directly affect the brain’s satiety center which triggers a sensation of fullness after meals.

It is an excellent digestive, it helps the respiratory system and circulation, it is an anti-inflammatory, and an antiseptic. These qualities make it a good oil in the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, flu, catarrh, varicose veins, headaches and migraines, skin irritations, rheumatism, toothache, and fatigue. It even keeps mice, fleas, and ants away.

If you chew on a Peppermint leaf and then suck in air, a distinct cooling effect will be felt in your mouth. This cooling effect is from the presence of menthol, which is useful in making cosmetics and body-care products.

Peppermint oil is extremely useful when you are hot either from a hot fever, hot flashes, or hot weather. Inhaled it cools a fever, decongests the sinuses, calms the mind, soothes a headache, acts as an antidepressant, stimulates the nervous system and mind, also calms the tendency for your mind to race.

• External Uses

Peppermint oil is used as an antiseptic to wounds and sores (use only in a very diluted form), as a chest rub for respiratory diseases (use in a blend of oils or fats), as a skin cleanser (hydrosol or water spray), and in rubs for aching muscles and limbs.

• Internal Uses

Peppermint oil has a proven reputation to cure nausea and vomiting. One drop on a sugar cube sucked slowly, or two drops in 8 ounces of water and slowly sipped. 

Always use Peppermint oil diluted, as it can burn and irritate when used neat. Peppermint oil in a lotion has an interesting feature in that it cools while it warms. The menthol increases blood flow wherever it is applied, soothes while it gives a cooling feeling. Try it as a muscle rub for tired feet.

Peppermint oil can also be added to water and given to both pets and people to cure flatulence. One or two drops of peppermint oil per 6 oz of water should be sufficiently strong enough to cure the problem.

Collected from various sources