Peppermint Essential Oil: A cool everyday workhorse

Peppermint essential oil has a long history of use, with evidence of its benefits, dating all the way back to 1,000 B.C. in ancient Egyptian pyramids.  Peppermint is a hybrid species which is the combination of spearmint and water mint.  The essential oils are produced using steam distillation of the fresh aerial parts of the flowering plant.  

The most active ingredients in peppermint essential oil are menthol which contributes 35-45% and menthone 10-30%.  These two chemicals are what give peppermint its cooling sensation.

 Peppermint essential oil has numerous uses for health, home and the garden.

Health and Personal Wellness:

• Sore Muscles:
• Massage a blend of 4 drops of peppermint essential oil to a half ounce of sweet almond carrier oil.  
• Peppermint Cold Compress to relieve inflammation and swelling from strains or sprains.  in a large mixing bowl add 2 drops of peppermint essential oil to a pint of cold water.  Add 6-8 ice cubes and allow the water to get cold.  Soak a hand towel in the mixture and then apply directly to the strain or sprain.
• Add a few drops to a warm bath to relieve stiffness.
• Freshen Bad Breath:
• All natural mouth wash: in a small jar or bottle combine 1/2 cup water, 1 tsp coconut oil, 1 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp salt, and 2 or 3 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Shake the mixture well before each use.  Gargle a small amount for 1-2 minutes each day.
• Carry a small vial with food grade peppermint.  Anytime you eat especially strong food you can add one drop to the end of your tongue.
• Clear Respiratory Tract:
• In a large bowl or the sink full of steaming hot water add 3-4 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Place a towel over your head and lean forward over the steaming water mixture.  Breath in the steam for several minutes to help sooth air ways.
• Add a few drops to a nasal inhaler and keep with you for instant relief.
• Enhanced Athletic Performance:
• Consume daily one 500 ml bottle of mineral water containing .05 ml of food grade peppermint essential oil.  Research
• Mental Focus:
• Take a strong whiff of peppermint essential oil before working on mental tasks.  Research
• Natural Bug Repellent:
• In a 2 ounce spray bottle add 1 1/2 Tbsp water, 1 tsp of sweet almond  or avocado carrier oil, 1 tsp witch hazel, 2 drops of the following essential oils (peppermint, lemon, lavender, rosemary, cinnamon, sage, thyme, eucalyptus, clove and geranium, tea tree)  Shake well before spraying on skin and clothing.
• Nausea:
• Apply 1-2 drops in a tsp of carrier oil such as avocado or sweet almond oil to the back of your neck and the bottoms of your feet.
• Hair:
• Peppermint has many benefits for your hair.  Add 2-3 drops to your shampoo and conditioner.  This will help stimulate your scalp as well as provide you with an invigorating shower.  Peppermint essential oil is a natural antiseptic and is great for treating dandruff and lice.  Peppermint is also known to promote hair growth!

Home:

• Get rid of ants:
• Mix 10-15 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 cup water in a spray bottle.  Shake well and spray along cracks or wherever ants are present.
• Room Freshener:
• Mix 1 cup water, 1/4 cup vinegar and 10 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle.  Spray throughout your room to freshen the air.
• Remove Mold:
• Mix 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint essential oil, 1/2 cup vinegar, 1/2 cup salt in a spray bottle.  Shave very well.  Spray directly on mold and then allow to set for several minutes.  Wipe clean.  Repeat if necessary.

Garden:

• Peppermint essential oil is an excellent natural insecticide which works on ants, beetles, squash bugs, aphids, white flies, and fleas to name a few.  Mix 4 to 5 drops of peppermint essential oil in a spray bottle with 2 cups of  water.  Spray directly on plants.

As you can see there are many uses of peppermint essential oil for you and your home.  This is just a short list of uses for peppermint essential oil.  Please let us know how you use peppermint essential oil in the comments below.

Precautions:  With all essential oils, never use them undiluted, or in your eyes or mucus membranes.  If you have very sensitive skin, you should always try a very small amount of diluted essential oil and carrier oil on a nonsensitive region of your body.  Keep away from children.  Always consult with a qualified expert practitioner before consuming internally.