During a hard day of work, especially for a homesteader, peppermint essential oil can be quite useful. Beginning in the morning, it can energize your mind and help you get moving. Need a pick-me-up after lunch or later in the day? Peppermint oil can help you there, too, by reviving depleted energy you need to get your work finished. Then, after the long workday, because of peppermint oil’s warming properties, it can be used to treat sore muscles and arthritis.
Another common use for peppermint oil is that it helps reduce nausea and indigestion.
Do you feel that you sometimes have trouble focusing or concentrating? Look no further than peppermint essential oil with its revitalizing effects on the mind!
Peppermint was prized for health reason in Japan and China for centuries and has been found in Egyptian tombs dating back to 1000 BC.
Peppermint is a hybrid of spearmint and water mint, and is, by far, the most pungent mint. It’s a common herb with tough, dark stems and serrated green leaves that can be found growing almost anywhere.
Peppermint essential oil is nearly one-third menthol, which is why it invigorates and clears the head.
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The essential oil has a cooling, pungent, menthol aroma, with clean, sweet top notes. In aromatherapy, it is excellent for headaches, mental fatigue, concentration, muscular pain, sunburn, insect bites, nausea, indigestion and for menopausal hot flashes.
Massages, baths, inhalation and compresses are all efficient ways to utilize the properties of peppermint essential oil. A few drops on a tissue can clear your head, whether you’re suffering from a cold or mental fatigue, and can relieve headaches or any nausea, from travel to morning sickness. Add several drops to a basin to refresh tired feet, or to a bath to relieve sore muscles. (Because of peppermint oil’s potency, use sparingly in baths at first to make sure you don’t have any adverse reactions to it, and always make sure to dilute it with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin.)
Over time, I have developed mixtures that I feel help me on a daily basis. I developed these recipes with scent in mind while creating the maximum effect of the oils’ health properties.
1. Fatigue
More people than ever complain of being tired these days. Too much work, too many demands and stresses, and too little leisure or relaxation are probably to blame. Peppermint oil is helpful in combating fatigue, as it can stimulate the body and mind in a relaxing kind of way. As stated above, you can simply inhale peppermint oil or try one of these invigorating mixtures:
Invigorating rub
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops orange essential oil
- 4 drops rosemary essential oil
- 3 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 fl oz. sweet almond carrier oil
Energizing massage
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 6 drops bergamot essential oil
- 2 drops lemon essential oil
- 2 fl oz. sweet almond carrier oil
2. Tired muscles or arthritis pain
Muscular pain affects almost everyone at some point in their lives, and many people suffer from arthritis. Peppermint oil’s warming and soothing properties can help. Try these recipes to help relax your muscles and reduce your pain.
For tight muscles
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 3 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops pine essential oil
- 3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 2 fl oz. sweet almond carrier oil
For arthritis and aching muscles
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 4 drops petitgrain essential oil
- 2 drops basil essential oil
- 2 fl oz. sunflower carrier oil
3. Improve focus and concentration
Peppermint essential oil can improve memory, focus and alertness. Try these blends; use them in an oil diffuser to distribute the molecules throughout the air, or as a massage oil with an added carrier oil.
For concentration
- 6 drops peppermint essential oil
- 6 drops rosemary essential oil
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for a massage blend
For improved focus
- 6 drops peppermint essential oil
- 6 drops myrtle essential oil
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for a massage blend
To improve mental clutter
- 6 drops peppermint essential oil
- 6 drops lemongrass essential oil
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for massage blends
4. Battle nausea, indigestion and stomach upsets
The only worse thing than feeling sick is actually being sick. Common triggers include a rich or spicy meal, contaminated food, a rotten smell, stress, fear, the motion of travel, pregnancy or a migraine. A little peppermint oil inhaled from a tissue can help tremendously.
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Alternatively, try one of these mixes to use with an air diffuser or add a carrier oil for a massage blend. Massage the blend into your chest and abdomen areas.
Ease nausea, travel or morning sickness
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops grapefruit essential oil
- 3 drops ginger essential oil
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for massage blends
To help abdominal pain due to indigestion or irritable bowel syndrome
- 4 drops peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops nutmeg essential oil
- 4 drops ginger essential oil
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for massage blends
To ease general digestive problems
- 6 drops peppermint essential oil
- 4 drops ginger essential oil
- 2 drops angelica root
- 2 fl oz. carrier oil for massage blends
Do some research to find out other ways you can use peppermint essential oil. Peppermint oil also mixes well with a lot of additional essential oils for aromatherapy purposes. Choose your favorite essential oil combinations and add a few drops of peppermint oil to them to add an invigorating, but soothing, effect!
How do you use peppermint essential oil? Share your tips in the section below: