Peppermint ~ Mentha Piperita in its Latin name, this oil is a cross between Spearmint and Water Mint. Its indigenous to and thrives best in North America, Europe and Asia, but this plant is now commonly found around the world and is also found growing in the wild.
There are over 25 different varieties of Mentha, but the most commonly used is our dear Peppermint. It’s one of the oldest recorded herbs used for medicinal and culinary purposes!
According to research, dried Peppermint leaves were found in ancient Egyptian Pyramids going back to 1000 BC! They used it to help soothe upset stomachs and to aide in digestion, something still practised widely today, but not so natural and has a whack of sugar amd chemical dyes added to make peppermint candies! Ever wonder why you sometimes get a mint with your cheque at a restaurant? This is why, to help aide in digesting their scrumptious meal you just devoured.
While Peppermint is found quite often in food, drinks, soaps and body care, it also has a list of health conditions it treats! Like most oils, it can be diffused for inhalation, applied topically, or taken orally in supplement form.
Here’s a list of health conditions you might use Peppermint EO in treating digestive issues naturally…
- IBS
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Cramping in the Upper GI tract
- Diarrhea and Flatulence
- Inflammation
Here’s a list of conditions you might want to use a topical application in treating…
- Headaches
- Muscle and Nerve Pain
- Tooth Pain
- Joint Pain and Discomfort
- Itching
- Allergic Reactions
- as a Mosquito Repellent
Diffusing for vapour inhalation, is commonly used in treating colds, throat and sinus infections. The easiest way for this method is to boil water, drop in 7 or more drops of oil into the bowl of hot water, throw a towel over your head and the bowl and take some nice long inhales, for a few minutes. This will really help clear you up, but I don’t recommend going out into the cold right away after you’re finished, as it can be hard on the throat and lungs in the cold air now that your passage is open!
Women will often use PM as an aide for menstrual pain, which I agree works great but I have a much more powerful potion up my sleeve for that time, which we will discuss at a later date when we get into blending!
So what does it do exactly? PM has cooling and relaxing properties, and relieving cramped, achy or tight muscles. Not only does it share properties in soothing and relieving pain, but it also bears properties in the prevention of infections. So when you cut or scrape yourself and you make the mad dash for the Lavender, be sure to grab the Peppermint at the same time for some extra healing goodness!
Because Peppermint is so invigorating in its scent, it can help wake you up and give you the energy to get moving, and helps boost your brain activity for mental clarity and being productive!
Peppermint is commonly used in my household, I use it in soothing achy muscles and joints in myself but also as a Massage Therapist, I find it very useful for my clients, along with a blend of other oils in my Deep Release potion! Kind of like an A535 rub but has all natural and organic ingredients.
I also use this in combination with lavender in the beginning “tingly” stages of a cold sore, dabbing a couple fingertips of each onto the coldsore, allowing it to dry (just seconds) and applying my favourite all natural https://www.burtsbees.ca/categoryproduct/lip-care/lip-balm/ to help blend the oils into the coldsore and onto the lip!
So there you have it folks, your second dose of my favourite oils and it’s uses! Along with Lavender, these are two of the Everyday Oils one should always have on hand or in the house hold!
***Disclaimer***
Essential Oils should never be used in place of proper medical treatment, in the case of something major going on and should be consulted by your Dr for such use! It’s generally safe to use along with most other medications, from my courses and research, but there are always precautions to take.
*Please be sure that you are using 100% Therapeutic Grade essential oils. This matters big time amd is a must. Some companies (shaking fists) will use additives, or are using oils that have been adulterated in some ways to cut costs. So please know what you’re buying!!!
Thanks for stopping by,
~ Abby
My Humble Abode 