In this super synthetic world, we all seek organic ways of healing ourselves. Refreshing and rejuvenating ourselves in the lap of nature is what is needed and is seldom available to us. However, there is something that we can indulge in to ensure that healing process of our mind, body, and soul are in sync with nature. And that process is to incorporate the versatile essential oils in our daily lives.
But how can essential oils be helpful and why are they the natural holistic healers? To begin with, the first thing we would like to inform you about is the process through which essential oils are made.
These oils are nothing but the natural ingredients extracted from plants and flowers. These natural ingredients hold the richness of nature and act as holistic healers. Typically, the oils are extracted by the process of distillation.
You can read more about what are essential oils and why you should use them here. Amongst these many wondrous oils, a must have in your essential oils bucket is the oil of peppermint plant. The virtues and healing powers of this oil are known worldwide.
Peppermint Essential Oil
The health benefits of peppermint oil can be traced back to 1000 BC. It has been cited in the Chinese and Japanese natural remedies and medicines. Moreover, though the plant is native to Europe, peppermint oil has been found in several pyramids across Egypt. As per data, peppermint essential oil is one of the top two most used essential oils today in the United States along with the lavender essential oil.
Perhaps, the peppermint essential oil is one of the most widely used essential oils across the world. It is extracted from the leaves of the peppermint (a cross breed of watermint and spearmint) plant. The essential oil has been a part of many natural therapies for centuries. In fact, there are only a few body, mind, and health related issues that the essential oil of peppermint cannot aid in. It is absolutely suitable and safe on oral consumption and can be applied topically too. The oil of peppermint is extremely potent due to the presence of high concentration of menthol and the oil has a quick healing impact on the user’s body. In fact, on peppermint oil alone, there are over 1200 medical studies that have been conducted to study the health benefits of this wondrous oil.
In the article below, we will take you through the many uses and health benefits of peppermint oil and unravel the secrets associated with it.
Uses and health benefits of peppermint essential oil
1. Natural energy booster
A few whiffs of the essential oil of peppermint can boost your energy levels insanely. And we kid you not, there is a study that proves this too. In fact, the aroma of this oil works like magic on people suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
We recommend: we highly recommends replacing your carbonated or toxic energy drinks with a few whiffs of the peppermint essential oil to get the right hormones flowing in your body. And trust us, you would not feel low.
2. Breath freshener
Who does not want a fresh breath throughout the day? And even more so when you have to head out with that special someone. This wondrous oil comes to your rescue in such cases. Be it early mornings when you want to brush your teeth with some natural toothpaste or an evening dinner you are planning to head to with a fresh breath, just pour in a drop or two of peppermint oil in a glass of water and gulp it down. Your breath would turn refreshing in no time.
Natural toothpaste with peppermint oil for bad breath: Here’s what you need to prepare the natural toothpaste using peppermint oil. Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and add a teaspoon of baking soda to it. Now add 10 drops of peppermint oil to this mixture and your herbal toothpaste is ready.
3. Aids in alleviating muscle pain
Thanks to our majorly sedentary and technology dependent lifestyle, backaches, sore muscles, headaches, and body aches are common. Every now and then we seek aid from muscle relaxants and medicines to get back on track ‘cause the lifestyle demands us to stay stuck in the cycle. There is only so much time you can make for yourself and ensuring that little time is distributed well amongst friends, family, health, travel and more could be difficult.
So, the next time you are struck by a muscle pain while enjoying your time with your near and dear ones, just grab the bottle of peppermint essential oil. Be it alleviating a headache naturally to relaxing the sore muscles, a topical massage with the essential oil of peppermint will work wonders in just minutes. Also, studies have shown that the oil of peppermint works miraculously on fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome.
Our homemade recipe using peppermint oil for alleviating muscle pain: Take half a cup of coconut oil and mix it with one-fourth cup of beeswax. Put this in a glass jar and place it on an insulator to melt the ingredients. Next, pour in 15 to 20 drops of peppermint oil. You can also add 10 to 15 drops of lavender oil to the mixture. You homemade muscle rub balm is ready. Apply this whenever cold strikes or a muscle gets sore.
4. Aids in sinusitis
Sinus is another major problem that causes headache. The best part is the oil of peppermint works wondrously on sinusitis and unclogs the blocked respiratory pathways, often immediately. This aids in quick relief.
Also, peppermint oil acts a strong expectorant that provides relief from cough and cold, asthma and bronchitis.
How to use peppermint oil to clear respiratory tracts and throat: The best way to ensure the oil of peppermint has an almost immediate effect on your chest congestion, sinus or cold related problems is to inhale the oil.
This can be done by inhaling it directly through the bottle, especially when you are travelling. Otherwise, you can buy a diffuser and dilute some peppermint oil and water for a fresh aroma in your house. Inhaling this methanol rich aroma will work like magic on your throat and provide immediate relief in unclogging your respiratory tracts.
5. Bid adieu to stomach and gastric issues
Peppermint oil has long been revered for its carminative properties. The oil helps in passing extra gas out of the body and aids in easy digestion. The oil can also aid in relieving you from motion sickness, nausea, and an upset stomach. All you have to do is pour 3 to 4 drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it. Alternatively, you can drink peppermint tea for similar results. Moreover, preliminary results also reflect that using caraway oil with peppermint oil can help you cure heartburn naturally. Studies have also shown that peppermint oil can help irritable bowel syndrome
How to prepare peppermint tea: Boil a glass of water in a pan and add tea leaves to it. You could prepare black tea or green tea based on your preference, however, we would recommend you to pick green tea leaves for their health benefits. Let the water and the added tea leaves boil. You can also add ginger and honey to your tea to relish some herbal flavors. Lastly, add 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil. Drink the peppermint tea while it is still hot for best results.
6. Natural stress buster
Like many other essential oils, peppermint oil is also a revered stress buster. In fact, it is the second most picked oil when it comes to alleviating headaches and stress naturally, after the lavender oil. Studies have shown that peppermint essential oil provides relief from depression, mental exhaustion, anxiety, restlessness and stress due to its refreshing properties.
Just apply the oil topically on your temples, wrists, neck and behind the ears. You could diffuse the oil in the room if the smell is too strong for you.
7. Improves Concentration
Moreover, it stimulates the mind and increases the focus on the cognitive tasks by increasing concentration and alertness. In fact, by diffusing peppermint oil into the room of a child suffering from ADHD, you can improve their focus, energy, and concentration. Also, instead of diffusing the oil you can also apply it under their nose for immediate effect.
8. No more rats and spiders in the house
Who does not want to get rid of rats and spiders? Quite an unusual usage of an essential oil, but it has been seen that spiders and rats cannot stand the odor of peppermint oil and escape the locations where it is found.
How to use peppermint oil to shoo away rats and spiders: Take a spray bottle and pour some water in it. Now add about 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil to this bottle. Shake the mixture well and spritz it in the corners of your house. You can add more oil to the mixture if the smell is not strong enough.
9. Immune system and fungal infections
Almost all of us are prone to fungal skin infections or fungal nail infections. To add to this is our weak immune system that demands constant care. The oil has powerful antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. Ingesting the oil in a glass or warm water or via peppermint tea can help you flush out the bacteria in your guts and the colon.
The oil can be applied onto the fungal skin and nail infections too. The best way to use peppermint essential oil would be to dilute it in jojoba or olive oil before massaging it on the skin or nail infection.
10. Improves blood circulation
Studies have shown that when the peppermint essential oil comes in contact with the skin, it instantly increases the blood circulation and pulse rate. This helps in improved flow of oxygen all over the body and to the brain and increases the metabolism. Improved circulation of blood and increased metabolism help maintain a healthy body and maintain the glucose levels in the body.
11. Care for your follicles
This wondrous oil is extremely useful for hair care. First, it helps in removing dandruff and lice. Further, it has antiseptic, stimulating and regenerative effects on the scalp that helps you get rid of dry skin, frizziness, and baldness. Moreover, the oil improves blood circulation and thus, improves the quality of hair and promotes a healthy growth.
How to use peppermint oil for hair care: Just mix a few drops of peppermint oil with your shampoo or hair mask (depending on your hair type) and massage it on the scalp. Leave it for 4 to 5 minutes and rinse it with lukewarm water.
Surprised to learn about the many benefits of this amazing oil? It is time you buy the oil and add it to your everyday care products. Share this information with someone who might need it.
If you know of other studies that reflect how useful this oil could be or know of some home remedies using the peppermint oil, share them with in the comments section below.
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