Oil of the Month

Peppermint Essential Oil

Essential oil of peppermint, which is distilled from the leaves of the peppermint plant, has become one of the most popular oils in Aromatherapy. The plant has been popular for its pungent flavor and its curative powers since the seventeenth century, when it may have been brought from the Orient by way of North Africa. In all its uses, peppermint oils refreshing to the mind, body and spirit. The distinctive scent of peppermint essential oil can improve a person’s concentration and focus.

The way this works that the scent actually triggers the hippocampus, a part of the brain linked to memory. The oil relieves not only mental fatigue but also nausea and dizziness. As a healing oil, peppermint is both antiseptic and anesthetic because of its high proportion of menthol. Thus, the essential oil when inhaled is extremely effective for fighting respiratory infections, from cold to bronchitis and sinusitis. When diluted and applied to the skin, the oil soothes and cools. This oil is particularly useful with older children.

Properties:

Digestive tonic; astringent; analgesic; antiseptic; anti-inflammatory; antiviral, bactericide, carminative; hepatic; hormonal; hypertensive, digestive stimulant; nerve stimulant; refreshing; invigorating; pain reliever; tonic; calming; aides in calming digestive problems.

Peppermint oil has cooling, fever-reducing and antiseptic properties, largely due to high levels of menthol, which is an antibacterial and anesthetic. The oil helps cure colds, bronchitis, sinus infections, skin conditions such as flabby skin; blotchy skin; athlete’s foot; inflammation, irritation;’ has a cooling effect on sunburn.. It also aids healthy digestion by increasing digestion, liver and gallbladder secretions and relaxes cramped intestinal muscles. Plus, the scent clears the mind and eases mental tension.

Nasal Problems:

The high menthol content of peppermint oil reduces inflammation in the nasal passages during a cold, opening them up and improving breathing.  Use inhalation methods

Alert Mind:

Whenever you are weary and tense at the end of the taxing day, peppermint oil is a remedy that will revitalize you. It clears your thought and allows you to breathe deeply and freely again. 

Headaches:

Mix a base oil, such as a sweet almond oil, Neways Mixing Oil, or Tangible Massage Lotion with peppermint oil and rub a few drops on your forehead and the nape of your neck. This can rapidly alleviate the pain of a headache and migraine. You can also inhale directly from the bottle or put a couple of drops on a Kleenex or cotton ball.

Super Sauna:

Regular visits to a sauna stimulant the body’s own defense. You can increase the detoxifying, fortifying effect of the sauna by adding a few drops of peppermint oil into the water poured on the sauna coals.

Bad Breath:

Peppermint oil is an excellent natural alternative to mouthwash. It has a disinfectant effect, inhabits infection and prevents cavities and gum disease, while combating bad breath at the same time.

Fever Buster:

Cold packs with peppermint oil can dramatically reduce a fever. Mix 8 drops of peppermint oil and 1 tbsp. of vinegar in 1 qt. of cool water. Soak 2 packs in the mixture, wring them out and place them on the calves of your legs (the body’s lymphatic pumps). Replace as often as necessary until the fever abates.  A compress with peppermint oil relieves the symptoms of a sinus infection. Mix 5 drops of peppermint oil in 2 cups of warm water. Lay a small cloth dampened with the mixture across your nose and over your cheekbones. Breathe deeply, and avoid direct contact with the eyes. (Never use water to wash out any essential oils as it intensifies the effects)

Acne & Varicose Veins:

Peppermint oil can help keep skin looking and feeling healthy. The oil reduces the oiliness that can produce skin blemishes. It is also known to help minimize the redness of broken capillaries by constricting the vessel walls. You can dilute peppermint by mixing the essential oil with  vegetable oil,  Neways Mixing oil, or Tangible Massage Lotion before applying.

Tingling Bath:

For a cool, refreshing bath, add 2-4 drops of peppermint oil to a tub of tepid water.

Summary:

For motion sickness and nausea, you can place a few drops of peppermint oil on a cloth. Hold the cloth in front of your mouth and nose and breathe in deeply for a few seconds.

Effective for easing colds, sinus infections, bronchitis, fever, coughs, bad breathe, headaches, intestinal cramps, diarrhea, and mental exhaustion

Caution:

Always, use caution with children! Peppermint oil’s high menthol content might irritate sensitive mucosa. Peppermint oil has very intense cooling properties, so watch those chills. Peppermint oil vapors can stimulate the tear ducts, to the point of harmless irritation, so keep your eyes tightly shut and avoid any contact with the eyes. Then again, I can personally attest to almost immediate vision improvement. Of course, that’s just my personal observation without actual clinical foundation. The oil may also appear to irritate sensitive skin. If you or a child gets skin or eye irritation, quickly subdue the effects by diluting it with any type of oil available or milk. Never use water as it will intensify most essential oil’s effects. Pregnant and nursing women should use great caution or just totally avoid using essential oils altogether, until you become proficiently familiar with their healing power.

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