There’s nothing like the flavor of freshly bruised peppermint leaves in a Mojito, Mint Julep or with fresh strawberries and drizzled with a little Grand Marnier. The kiddos can also enjoy fresh peppermint simply wrapped with a leaf of stevia or in a child appropriate mocktail lemonade. It’s so delicious to eat and smell, but peppermint can be therapeutic as well. For years I’ve used peppermint or yerbabuena, as my mom called it, in a tea for tummy troubles. Recently, I received a bottle of all natural therapeutic grade peppermint oil from Pure Body Naturals and I had to do some research on ways to use it in my daily routine. I’ve used shampoos, conditioners, lotions, creams and other preparations which already had peppermint in them, but I’d never thought to add or augment that myself.
What I found in my research is that the uses for peppermint are almost innumerable. Peppermint oil is antibacterial, antifungal, good for circulation, anti-inflammatory and a good decongestant. Here are 7 ways to use peppermint oil which are easy to implement and can make you feel great –
Skin Care
Peppermint oil’s anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it a great tool for combating skin irritations. It’s perfect for treating acne as it inhibits the Propionibacterium which causes acne pustules but it also cools and soothes the skin reducing painful swelling and redness. Regular use of peppermint oil will help reduce the production of oils which clog the pores leading to fewer blemishes in the long run. Because of it’s oil reducing and anti-fungal benefits it’s a great tonic or added directly to shampoo or conditioner for dandruff prone hair. Plus, it’s ability to soothe and also cover unpleasant odors makes it a great addition to lotions for the feet and also the underarm areas. Because the pure oil is very potent it is always important to dilute it first for any use other than aromatherapy.
It’s inevitable we are going to have a knot or tight muscle at some point. Whether it’s from simply typing all day at your desk or running a marathon we need to find relief. Mixing a few drops of peppermint oil in with your favorite massage oil will bring the cooling, warming and anti-inflammatory benefits straight to your sore muscles. I used some fraccionated coconut oil with a few drops of peppermint oil to give my little girl a back massage. Between the warming sensation, the cooling vapors and the relief she felt she almost fell asleep :).
You can also add a few drops into a warm bath along with other essential oils and epsom salts to soothe a tired body. Not only will this help relax the muscles, but the mood boosting benefits of the essential oils will also help relax the mind. Works great in a foot bath for tired feet, too.
Stress
Peppermint oil is a natural mood booster. Used in aromatherapy preparations alone or in combination “it can provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature”*. Mix it with lavender and geranium oil and dab it on the inside of your wrists. The increase in circulation this will encourage will further warm the oil making inhalation of the beneficial vapors easier.
*Source: themightynest
Headaches
Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Do you have accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise? Peppermint oil may well become your best friend in fighting off the headache and other symptoms. Using a carrier oil like almond or coconut oil and a mix in some peppermint oil and keep this with you anywhere you go. At the first sign of an impending headache massage the oil mixture on your temples and sinuses making sure to avoid the eye area. The oil will help to cool and reduce inflammation while the therapeutic vapors will ease your stomach and help you relax.
Energy
Unless you are a rambunctious toddler you are most certainly in need of some extra energy. I must say even after two giant cups of coffee the afternoons are difficult to manage. I tried the Pure Body Naturals Peppermint Oil in a base of fraccionated coconut oil applied under my nose on my upper lip. I was truly unprepared for the jolt I got from just this little treatment. It smells nice, requires no caffeine or other kind of stimulant to work and provides a nice and even energy without a crash. If you are trying to kick a caffeine habit, peppermint can be very helpful.
Colds & Congestion
Unfortunately, colds and congestion are not solely suffered during winter months. Asthma, allergies, the flu and other pulmonary disorders can clog up air passages making breathing difficult if not impossible. Peppermint oil used as an aromatherapy treatment can help open nasal passages.
Mix peppermint oil with your favorite carrier oil and massage over the chest and over the sinuses (avoiding the eyes). The treatment will be two-fold with the soothing vapors and the contact of the oil on your skin increasing circulation and warming the area.
If you can’t stop coughing add a few drops of peppermint oil in a cup or bowl of almost boiling water. Drape a towel over your head and position your face about 10 to 12 inches from the top of the bowl. The steam and oil will help loosen your nasal passages and hopefully stop the coughing fit.
Digestive Troubles
Like I mentioned before I’ve known about using peppermint tea for tummy problems in the past but I’ve never used it as a topical remedy for that purpose. Apparently, used in a lotion or carrier oil it can be massaged on the abdomen to help relieve gas, indigestion and maybe even heartburn. This is one topical application I haven’t tried, but am open to using. Used on the wrists a drop of peppermint oil is supposed to reduce the appetite and induce a sense of fullness. This application also helps relieve symptoms of motion sickness and morning sickness.
Where to Buy
When looking for a peppermint oil look for one which is all natural, undiluted and therapeutic grade. The Pure Body Naturals Peppermint Oil is 100% pure and natural and comes in a rather large 4 oz. bottle. You can find it on Amazon.
I received a complimentary item for the purposes of review.
Firstly, I’m a mom and wife. Professionally, IT consulting is my job and blogging is the outlet for my passions. I write about things that affect the everyday life of a stay-at-home parent or any parent for that matter such as parenting, relationships, discipline, the media, product reviews, giveaways, social media, food, cooking, gardening and anything else that might come my way.
