Suggested Uses for Peppermint Essential Oil

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 favorite among the food industry, and can be found as a flavoring 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 and vertigo.

Essential Oil Applications

For apathy, fatigue, and mental exhaustion, use 2-3 drops in a diffuser.

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 and mouth or gum infections, use as a 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 on a handkerchief and inhale periodically. Can also be used in a diffuser.

To cool a fever, use 2-3 drops in a cold compress.

For headaches and migraine, 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 wintergreen.

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation.

Parts Used:

Flowering herb.

Safety Information:

Avoid if pregnant or breast feeding. 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.

More Info:

The Power of Aromatherapy
Getting Started with Aromatherapy
The Choosing, Blending and the Caring of Your Essential Oils

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