PEPPERMINT – (Mentha piperita) is my favorite essential oil next to Lavender. With these two essential oils on hand, you really don’t need anything else in your medicine cabinet. Peppermint isn’t just for candy canes and breath mints. Peppermint is a powerful essential oil.
Just look at the National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and you’ll see what I’m talking about. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=peppermint%20oil
While Peppermint is an important component of my cold and flu regimen, we use it for many more ailments and complaints and there’s science to back up the use of this ancient remedy.
Peppermint is a pain reliever, a decongestant and an appetite suppressant. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral and anti-parasitic.
What does this mean to you? It is helpful in the treatment and relief of arthritis, respiratory infections, obesity, viral infections, fungal infections, digestive problems, nausea, headaches, IBS, cramps, motion sickness, hot flashes and this list goes on.
Dried peppermint leaves were discovered in the Egyptian pyramids. Its medicinal use dates back to 1st c AD Rome. It was cultivated in mid 18th c Europe and England for medicinal purposes and brought to America in the 19th c.
Peppermint has a high menthol content. Menthol is an antiseptic and an anesthetic. It also has a high concentration of menthone which is a natural pesticide. Peppermint has nutritional properties as well as medicinal properties. It is rich in vitamins and minerals including zinc, magnesium and the B vitamins. It is one of the oldest remedies for digestive issues.
Dr. William N. Dember of the University of Cincinnati studied peppermint’s ability to improve concentration and mental accuracy. Alan Hirsch, M.D., studied peppermint’s ability to directly affect the brain’s satiety center, which triggers a sense of fullness after meals. Christian Albrecths Univeristy in Germany found “peppermint oil seems to be a harmless and effective treatment for tension-type headaches and effective in reducing emotional irritation, depression and apathy”.
Inhalation of peppermint even benefits athletic performance. Research published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology in 2001 found volunteers could complete more push ups and finish the 400 meter dash faster after inhaling peppermint.
Want to improve focus, attention and productivity? The results from a 2003 study at Wheeling Jesuit University suggests “peppermint odor may promote a general arousal of attention so participants stay focused on their task and increase performance.”
The brand I use is Young Living Peppermint Oil. It is highly concentrated and you only need a few drops. Remember, less is more. To order go to www.youngliving.com and use 744096 as my code. Whatever brand you buy, just make sure it is 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Peppermint Oil.
Some of my favorite ways to use Peppermint Oil are:
Rub Peppermint oil on joints to relieve arthritis or tendonitis pain.
Place a drop of Peppermint oil on the tongue to stop bad breath.
Inhale the fragrance of Peppermint oil to curb the appetite and lessen the impulse to eat.
Massage several drops of Peppermint oil on the area of injury to reduce inflammation.
Apply Peppermint oil immediately to an injured area to relieve pain. If there is a cut, apply the Peppermint oil around (not on) the open wound.
Rub several drops of Peppermint oil on the bottoms of the feet to reduce fever.
Inhale to open sinuses.
Rub on the back of your neck and behind your ears for a headache,
Rub 4-6 drops in the palm and rub over stomach and around the navel to relieve indigestion, flatulence and diarrhea, nausea.
Add a drop of Peppermint oil to herbal tea to aid in digestion and relieve heartburn.
Apply a drop of Peppermint oil topically on unbroken skin to stop itching.
Inhale Peppermint oil before and during a workout to boost your mood and reduce fatigue.
Place two drops of Peppermint oil on the tongue and rub another drop under the nose to improve alertness and concentration.
Inhale Peppermint oil while studying to improve concentration and accuracy. Inhale Peppermint oil while taking a test to improve recall.
Rub 4 drops of Peppermint oil on chest and stomach to relieve travel sickness.
Rub on chest and throat to relieve congestion.
Mix Peppermint oil in a footbath to relieve sore feet.
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.
To kill aphids, add 4-5 drops of Peppermint oil to 4 ounces of water and spray the plants.
Wash hands with soap and water after use. Avoid contact with eyes, mucous membranes and open cuts. Peppermint can cause irritation so always dilute with a “carrier” oil such as almond, jojoba or even olive oil for initial use to determine sensitivity. Dilute 1:1.
Disclaimer: The information provided here is not intended to substitute for medical counseling. Intentional Health does not treat, prevent, cure, or diagnose any disease or ailment.