peppermint oil benefits

I was reading on peppermint oil and want to share some amazing things about peppermint…besides the fact that it smells and tastes so good.

car diffuser

I have a diffuser I plug into my cigarette lighter in my car. I love to diffuse peppermint oil while I’m driving, as it is known that peppermint oil will help keep you more alert, plus I noticed when people get in my car they say it smells good.

headache relief

I have massaged peppermint oil on people’s necks when they’ve complained of a headache, and it has given them relief…it is also good for massaging into sore muscles. Because peppermint oil is so strong and concentrated, you only need a couple drops, which you can add to a teaspoon of carrier oil (almond, jojoba, grapeseed, etc.) to spread it onto sore muscles. The essential oil will penetrate deeply to bring a cooling relief.

soothes sinuses and upset stomach

Peppermint can also help clear up sinuses and is good for an upset tummy–you can just rub a few drops (diluted in a teaspoon of carrier oil like almond, jojoba or grapeseed oil) on your stomach and you’ll feel it penetrate and sooth your tummy. Because I’ve become quite accustomed to using peppermint oil I can rub it directly on my skin and it doesn’t irritate it. I also enjoy a drop in my mouth for an intense mouth freshener–plus it soothes my tummy.

articles on peppermint oil

Here’s an article on peppermint oil. It mentions that ylang ylang appears to impair alertness and memory–the opposite of peppermint. That is probably because some essential oils, including ylang ylang, are powerful antidepressants.
Here is the article:

Peppermint oil improves memory

More tips on peppermint oil.

Here’s an interesting tidbit I found on peppermint oil

“Research at Weber State University has shown that out of 67 oils tested, 66 of them were powerful anti-bacterial agents. Oregano, cinnamon, mountain savory, ravensara and peppermint were all more powerful as anti-bacterial agents than penicillin or ampicillin.”

Here are 25 ways to use peppermint oil

1. Rub 4-6 drops in the palm of your hand and rub over stomach and around the navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence, nausea and diarrhea.
2. Add a drop of peppermint oil to herbal tea to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn.
3. Massage several drops of peppermint oil on the area of injury to reduce inflammation.
4. Apply peppermint oil immediately to an injured area (bruised shin, hit on the foot or hand) to relieve pain.
5. Rub several drops of peppermint oil on the bottoms of the feet to reduce fever.
6. Apply a drop of peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching.
7. For poison ivy or poison oak, apply peppermint oil on location neat or dilute with a carrier oil.
8. Inhale peppermint oil before and during a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue.
9. To relieve a headache rub a drop of peppermint oil on the temples, forehead, over the sinuses (stay away from the eyes) and on the back of the neck.
10. To stop hiccups, apply a drop of peppermint oil on each side of the fifth cervical vertebra (up three notches from the large vertebra at the base of the neck).
11. Diffuse peppermint oil in the room while studying to improve concentration and accuracy. Inhale peppermint oil while taking a test to improve recall.
12. Rub 4 drops of peppermint oil on chest and stomach to relieve travel sickness.
13. Place a drop of peppermint oil on the tongue and inhale into the nose and sinuses to relieve congestion from a cold.
14. Add peppermint oil to food as a flavoring and a preservative (usually one or two drops is plenty).
15. To deter rats, mice, ants or cockroaches, place two drops of peppermint oil on a cotton ball and place along the path or point of entry for these pests.
16. Mix one 15-ml. bottle of peppermint oil into a 5 gallon can of paint to dispel the fumes.
17. Place a drop of peppermint oil in a cup of hot water and enjoy in place of coffee.
18. To kill aphids add 4-5 drops of peppermint oil to 4 ounces of water and spray the plants.
19. Drink a drop of peppermint oil mixed in a glass of cold water to cool off on a hot day.
20. Rub peppermint oil on joints to help relieve arthritis or tendonitis discomfort.
21. Place one drop of peppermint oil on the tongue to stop bad breath.
22. Inhale the fragrance of peppermint oil to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to overeat.
23. Remove ticks by applying a drop of peppermint oil on a cotton swab and swabbing the tick. Wait for it to unmerge its head and remove it.
24. Mix peppermint oil in a footbath to relieve sore feet. Keep water agitated while soaking feet.
25. Put two drops in the palm of your hand and rub over body and clothing as a mosquito repellent.

Try it…you’ll like it!

Tags: headache, Ways To Use Peppermint Oil