Saturday, January 8, 2011

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL and its applications

PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL (Mentha piperita) can be used in an abundance of ways. The oil is distilled from the leaves, stems, and flower buds of the plant. It has a strong menthol aroma with a sweet undertone.

Historically, peppermint has been used to ease digestive problems such as gas, heartburn, and indigestion, and to help freshen breath. Its properties are analgesic, antibacterial, anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antiviral, and invigorating. It is very cooling in nature and may help reduce fever. And of course, peppermint is widely used today as a food flavoring.


The primary component in peppermint essential oil is menthol. Menthol produces an immediate and strong reaction to the body and the senses. In aromatherapy, peppermint is very stimulating to the senses and may help with clearing sinus passages and aid in memory and mental clarity.

Other possible uses of peppermint essential oil might include: help with anger, arthritis, colic, depression, fatigue, food poisoning, headaches, hives, inflammation, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, and toothaches.

Peppermint is both cooling and soothing in nature. Due to its unique aroma, it initially promotes a cooling sensation followed by warming and comforting sensations. The beneficial possibilities for peppermint are countless.
SAFETY DATA

It is possible for some people to experience sensitization to Peppermint EO. Sensitization can occur immediately or after repeated use. If sensitization is experienced, try diluting the oil with a carrier oil such as fractioned coconut oil. Use with caution if you have high blood pressure or are pregnant.

Feel free to post additional comments on ways you have beneficially used Peppermint essential oil.
FOR HEADACHES - 

The last couple of times I have gotten a headache, I have used Peppermint EO to ease the pain. Typically, when I get a headache, it stays with me until I go to sleep for the night and I am very light and sound sensitive.

Yesterday, I got a headache early in the day after spending a long time in front of the computer screen. I finally remembered the Peppermint EO and applied a drop behind each ear and a couple of drops on top of my head on my scalp. After the application, I spent many more hours at the computer completing a particular project that had to be done before the night was over.

As I lay down for the night, I happily realized that my headache had completely gone away in spite of the time spent in front of the computer. This would never have happened before without using some kind of NSAID--which I only use as a last resort.

Very exciting to have remedied my headache in such a natural and holistic way!

FOR NAUSEA AND STOMACH CRAMPING – 

A few weeks ago, my daughter woke us in the middle of the night saying she felt very sick to her stomach with pains and feeling like she was going to throw up. This is very stressful for her because she despises being sick to her stomach. These types of nausea episodes with her in the past have lasted for many hours in the night. I sat with her on the bathroom floor keeping her company. Many minutes passed by as we sat on that bathroom floor. She felt terrible and was convinced she would throw up at any moment. Suddenly, I thought of Peppermint and how it is helpful for digestion.

I brought the oil to the bathroom and told my daughter that I would like for her to apply the Peppermint to her stomach where she felt the nausea and hurting the most. Skeptically, she applied a few drops to her stomach. I also told her to hold the bottle up to her nose and to inhale the aroma of the oil. Within 10 minutes she was feeling able enough to get up and leave the bathroom, and we moved to sit on the couch instead. She continued to keep inhaling the aroma of the oil for a while longer and was able to relax and finally go to sleep.

I think that a combination of Lavender and Peppermint would also have been beneficial in this case. 

3 comments:

  1. The following testimonial came through my email yesterday:

    "Keli in Portland, Oregon, wrote to share that she is a peppermint addict! She loves peppermint for many reasons, but most of all because it has helped so much with her headaches. She said she uses peppermint frequently on her scalp to alleviate the pain. As a side benefit, she says her hair has never been healthier!! It is growing faster and thicker than ever before and the only thing new for her is the peppermint! So do a little scalp massage with peppermint essential oil and see what you think!"

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  2. PEPPERMINT has a wonderful cooling effect. Use it to help with hot flashes, fevers, itching, or burns. For hot flashes, you can apply the oil to the bottoms of your feet and rub your feet together to blend in. Or, you can apply on to your scalp, behind your ears, or on the back of your neck. Peppermint is also a rapid fever reducer. It will bring a fever down much faster than oral medication. Give it a try next time someone is sick with a dangerously high fever.

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  3. My daughter was going to TX for a mission trip and was concerned about mosquito bites, since she is allergic to them and they grow to the size of quarters. Plus she is a mosquito attractant. I sent her with some Peppermint essential oil to try out in repelling the mosquitoes. She said it worked wonderfully! The one time she was bitten was because she had not applied the oil. Her friends were begging for her to share her Peppermint oil with them.

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