Peppermint’s refreshing aroma makes it
great for diffusing or spritzing throughout a
room to help purify the air.
With its sharp and invigorating aroma, Peppermint Essential Oil is a popular oil that offers seemingly endless applications. Some of the most prominent benefits of using this particular oil includes a sharper mind, calmer nerves, and a settled stomach.You can also use Peppermint Essential Oil to clean your home, soothe your scalp, or cool sore muscles. To help you better understand how Peppermint Essential Oil can help you, let’s take a look at its history, how it’s distilled, and some of its other uses.
The peppermint plant has been around for most of human history. In fact, the name "mint" originally came from Greek mythology. Legend has it that the water nymph Minthe attracted the attention of Hades, ruler of the Underworld, and their mutual attraction eventually led to an affair. When Hades’ wife, Persephone, discovered the relationship, she took revenge on her husband’s mistress. When confronted, Minthe transformed into a mint plant. Persephone then attacked Minthe, kicking her and releasing the powerfully sweet peppermint aroma.
Out of hundreds of species in the genus Mentha or “Mint”, Peppermint is definitely the most recognized. Peppermint is known as a sterile, naturally occurring hybrid. It is a cross between Watermint (Mentha aquatica) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata).
In order to extract oil from the plant’s leaf, most distilleries use steam distillation. This is the most common way to extract oils from a plant. By combining gentle pressure and heated steam, steam distillation releases the essential oil from the plant and into the steam vapor.
If you’ve ever popped an after-dinner mint or grabbed a pack of peppermint gum from the grocery store checkout line, you are familiar with that “minty-fresh” feeling. It’s that same aroma and flavor that offer a wealth of Peppermint Essential Oil benefits.
After a hard workout, use Peppermint Essential Oil to help soothe those aches and pains. Simply blend the Peppermint Essential Oil with a carrier oil and massage into skin at the affected areas. You can also add a few drops of Peppermint to a post-workout bath.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) affects an estimated 10 to 15% of the population worldwide. In most cases, those who suffer from this particular gastrointestinal syndrome experience frequent stomach upset, diarrhea, and general abdominal pain, each of which are often triggered by stress. At Rocky Mountain Oils, we typically don't recommend ingesting oils, but if you choose to do so, consult a certified aromatherapist or medical professional. Many
Some studies show that using Peppermint Essential Oil may help to alleviate headaches.The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reports that people have used Peppermint topically for tension headaches, “and a limited amount of evidence suggests that it might be helpful for this purpose.”
What’s more invigorating than a cup of coffee? The sharp scent of peppermint. If you are looking to improve your focus and alertness, diffuse Peppermint Essential Oil in your home or office. You can also get fired up for a workout or exam by inhaling the scent with a few deep breaths.
Got a stuffy nose that just won’t quit? Open up your sinuses by inhaling the sharp aroma of Peppermint Essential Oil. Create a natural chest rub by simply blending Peppermint Essential Oil with a carrier oil, such as Fractionated Coconut Oil. You can also add a few drops of Peppermint Oil to a bowl of steaming water and inhale the steam.
Always use Peppermint Essential Oil with caution. Do not apply the oil directly to the skin of children under the age of 6. Check with your healthcare provider before using if you’re pregnant or nursing. Apply with a carrier oil for topical application. Click here for dilution rates.