Everything you need to know about Peppermint
Peppermint
(Mentha Piperita)
Peppermint is one of the most useful and beloved essential oils. Refreshing cooling, uplifting and restoring, peppermint has a variety of therapeutic uses. Used extensively in both Eastern and Western medicine for everything from indigestion to diarrhea, headaches to tired feet, and toothaches to cramps. Peppermint is also a big favourite among the food industry, and can be found as a flavouring agent in gums, candy, ice cream and pastries. However peppermint really shines in aromatherapy as its fresh, comforting scent soothes and relieves all sorts of ailments, both mental and physical.
Therapeutic Uses: Apathy, arthritis asthma bad breath, back pain, bowel disorders, bronchitis, colds and flu, coughs, cramps, faintness, fatigue, flatulence, digestive problems, headaches, mental exhaustion, migraine, mouth or gum infections, muscular pain, nausea, poor circulation, sinus congestion, shock, sunburn tired feet, travel sickness, vertigo.
Essential Oil Applications:
for asthma, bronchitis, coughs, and sinus congestion, use 2-3 drops in a steam inhalation. Can also be used in a diffuser.
For bad breath, or mouth and gum infections, use as mouthwash.
To ease the discomfort of colds and flu accompanied by a headache, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
For cramps, tired feet, back pain, bowel disorders (inflammation, constipation, flatulence), headaches, mental exhaustion muscular pain, rheumatism and arthritis, use 3-4 drops in 1 ounce of carrier oil and massage on body and/or affected areas.
For digestive problems and flatulence, use 2-3 drops in a carrier oil and massage on back. Can also be used in a compress.
For faintness, shock or vertigo, use 2-3 drops in a handkerchief and inhale periodically.
To cool a fever, use 2-3 drops in a cold compress.
For headaches and migraines, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.
To fight nausea, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser. Can also place a couple of drops on a handkerchief and inhale periodically.
To cool sunburn, add 2-3 drops to 2 tablespoons of liquid lanolin. Apply to affected area. Can also be used in a cold compress or in a carrier oil.
To alleviate travel sickness, use 2-3 drops on a handkerchief and inhale periodically.
Mixes well with: Basil, eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, juniper, lavender, lemon, myrrh, pine, rosemary, spearmint, tea tree, and winter green.
Extraction Method: Steam distilled.
Parts used: Flowering herb.
Safety Information: Avoid if pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not use on babies or small children. May cause irritation to sensitive skin, however it is rare. Do a patch test, first, before applying in large amounts. Do not use in baths. Should not be used in conjunction with homeopathic remedies, as it will act as an antidote.
Fun Fact
Its believed that the genus Mentha was named for the mythological nymph Minthe, who, according to Roman legend, was seduced by Pluto, then turned into a plant by his jealous wife. Pluto then turned Minthe into an herb, to be valued by generations to come.
*All information for this blog was taken from "Aromatherapy for Everyone- Pierson/Shipley"*
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