My head just throbbed….. I started out the morning with a terrible headache! I dabbed a bit of peppermint essential oil on my temples and BAM My head felt better, my sinuses cleared, and my mind felt awake and alive!
Peppermint oil may be the most versatile Essential Oil in the world, along with Lavender.
Peppermint is one of the oldest European herbs used for medicinal purposes, historical accounts date its use to ancient Chinese and Japanese folk medicine. It is mentioned in Greek mythology and has been found in several Egyptian pyramids.
Peppermint is anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-microbial, carminative (digestive processes), analgesic, and can help control appetite too!
Get ready to start harnessing the natural health benefits of peppermint.
Natural Muscle Ache Remedy and Painkiller
Peppermint essential oil is a very effective natural painkiller and muscle relaxant. It is especially helpful in soothing an aching back, sore muscles, and melting away a tension headache. You can also use it for joint therapy, when your joints get achy, applying some peppermint oil mixed with lavender oil and a carrier oil to cool muscles like an ice bath, but help you to stay warm and dry.
Sinus Care
Inhaling diffused peppermint oil can oftentimes immediately unclog your sinuses and offer relief to scratchy throats. Peppermint acts as an expectorant and may provide relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis. Peppermint oil is highly effective at relaxing muscles in your nasal passages and can help clear out the muck and pollen during allergy season. Diffusing peppermint along with clove oil and eucalyptus oil can also reduce allergy symptoms.
Naturally Reduce Food Cravings
Inhaling peppermint essential oil can stave off the munchies and can help you feel full faster. It can also help ease an upset tummy from overeating.
All Natural Energizer and Memory Enhancement
It will perk you up on long road trips, in school, at work, or any other time you need to “burn the midnight oil.” For those with chronic fatigue syndrome, peppermint oil may improve focus and concentration. Diffuse peppermint when studying for a test to aid memory, inhale peppermint during a test to improve concentration. Its a great non-toxic alternative to dangerous energy drinks, just take a few whiffs of peppermint.
DIY Shampoo Improvement
Add 2-3 drops of peppermint essential oil to your regular morning shampoo and conditioner to stimulate the scalp, energize your mind, and wake up! Because it is a powerful antiseptic, peppermint can also help remove dandruff and lice.
Anit-Itch
Whether you’re battling a rash or poison ivy, applying some peppermint oil mixed with lavender oil and a carrier oil, like coconut oil, it is certain to cool and soothe any itch.
Natural Fever Reducer
Because of peppermint oil’s cooling effects, it is an excellent all natural treatment to bring down a fever, especially in children. Simply mix peppermint oil with coconut oil and rub it on a child’s neck and on the bottom of their feet to help stabilize a fever instead of aspirin or other drugs.
Peppermint essential oil blends well with many other oils.
Some to consider are Oregano, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Pine, Cypress, Frankincense, and Rosemary. Peppermint adds a sweetness to blends that wake you up, while smelling clean, cool, and heavenly!
Please don’t get Peppermint essential oil near your eyes or any sensitive areas with mucus membranes. It will sting!
Also, if you are pregnant, nursing, have heart issues, etc., please seek advice from a medical doctor before using any essential oil.
Always test your sensitivity to an essential oil before using in large amounts. Apply a tiny drop to a small patch of skin to make sure you have no adverse reactions. People with extra sensitive skin tend to benefit from using a carrier oil.
All of our massage therapy services in our Downtown Asheville location, such as couples massage, therapeutic massage, and foot massage, include the option to add on essential oils.