Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil offers a familiar and stimulating fragrance and has many uses, ranging from cosmetic to medicinal.

Properties

An antiseptic, antispasmodic and mental stimulant, peppermint oil is recognized by its distinctively fresh aroma and tingling effect when used on the skin.

Cosmetics

Often used as an ingredient in mouthwash and toothpaste, peppermint essential oil also has successfully made its way into soaps, lotions and lip balms.

Headache Relief

Try dabbing a few drops of peppermint oil on the temples to help relieve a headache. To help relieve congestion, add three to four drops of peppermint oil to a bowl of steaming hot water. Place a towel over your head, lean over the bowl and breathe in the fragrance for a few minutes.

Relax Tired Feet

Adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a foot bath will help relax sore muscles and ease fatigue.

Essential Oil Capsules

Enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are made to pass through the stomach and release their contents into the intestines. Taking peppermint essential oil in this way is helpful for irritable bowel syndrome and other intestinal ailments.

References

• Natural Health, Natural Medicine; Dr. Andrew Weil; 1998
• Prescription for Nutritional Healing; Phyllis A. Balch; 2008