Peppermint Essential Oil Uses and Benefits

Best known for its breath-freshening ability and its place in holiday desserts, Peppermint is a familiar fragrance and flavor to all of us. But this multipurpose oil has so much more to offer you than just fresh breath and delicious flavor! Peppermint essential oil is one that I am never without. It has so many daily uses to support your body, you’re not going to want to go without it ever again!

BACKGROUND OF PEPPERMINT OIL

Steam-distilled from the Mentha piperita plant, Peppermint essential oil has a rich history of culinary, oral, and digestive uses. The oil is high in menthol, which is what gives it the strength and potency for which it is so well-known. It also has that cooling, tingly feeling when you apply it topically.

Peppermint essential oil should be diluted if you are using it topically. You should also start slow when using it around small children to make sure it doesn’t irritate their sensitive respiratory tracts. When used properly, whether ingesting, diffusing, or applying topically, Peppermint essential oil can support your body’s systems and help you feel cool and energized!

PEPPERMINT AND RESPIRATORY SUPPORT

The menthol in Peppermint essential oil is a powerful respiratory aide. It can open clogged airways, reduce congestion, and promote overall respiratory health when you inhale it or take it internally. Just taking a whiff from the bottle is often enough to clear out your nasal passages and help you breathe easier. Other options would be to diffuse it with other respiratory-supporting oils like Eucalyptus, Grapefruit, Melaleuca, and Rosemary to cleanse the air in your home and help everyone breathe a little deeper!

Seasonal allergies got you down? Combine Peppermint essential oil with Lavender and Lemon in a rollerball bottle and apply it liberally to your temples, wrists, and feet for some instant relief!

STAY ALERT AND ENERGIZED WITH PEPPERMINT OIL

Having trouble staying alert and focused at work? Hitting a midday slump that leaves you feeling foggy, tired, and unable to think clearly? Peppermint essential oil can help! Studies find that it can significantly improve cognition during difficult tasks and it can reduce mental fatigue that leaves you tired and foggy.

My go-to daily rockstar combo has always been Peppermint and Wild Orange. Just put a drop of each in your hands and inhale for some immediate mental clarity! For longer-lasting support, try combining 2 drops each of Peppermint, Wild Orange, and Douglas Fir in your diffuser; for a powerful energy-boosting blend.

PEPPERMINT FOR BRAIN FOG

Brain fog is a very real thing. But it’s not all in your head – there are root causes that can make you feel like you are in a cloud all the time. Check out more on the root causes of brain fog and how to nix them naturally here.

In the meantime, Peppermint essential oil has the powerful ability to cut through the haze and restore clarity. That’s why it’s a prominent ingredient in my Brain Fog Be Gone Rollerball Blend. I always have this one on hand on busy days when I need to stay at my peak!

KEEP YOUR COOL WITH PEPPERMINT ESSENTIAL OIL

The menthol in Peppermint oil offers a refreshing coolness when you apply it topically. From hot summer days to intense workouts to pesky hot flashes, Peppermint essential oil can bring immediate cooling relief. Just dilute and apply to the back of your neck or use in a massage for your aching muscles to cool you down.

If you are being plagued by hot flashes, try out this spray. The cooling of Peppermint is combined with powerful hormone-balancing oils to bring you relief from your heat! Feel free to increase the number of drops of Peppermint oil for even more cooling power!

SKIN SUPPORT WITH PEPPERMINT OIL

Peppermint essential oil’s cooling and soothing properties make it a great one to have on hand to support healthy skin. Combining it with Lavender will give it extra power to calm breakouts, soothe burns and sunburn, and calm other skin irritations. After a day in the sun, try adding a couple drops each of Lavender and Peppermint to some coconut oil for an instant cooling and refreshing sensation. It may even help that burn go away faster!

PEPPERMINT FOR DENTAL HEALTH

We all know that Peppermint can freshen your breath, but it does more than just that. Its properties make it ideal for killing the bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease. For extra bacteria-fighting benefits, try a mouth rinse with a drop each of Melaleuca, Lemon, Thyme, and Peppermint in a couple ounces of water to cleanse your mouth of invaders that could cause damage.

PEPPERMINT AND DIGESTIVE SUPPORT

When it comes to digestive support, Peppermint essential oil is a powerhouse for soothing an upset stomach and reducing nausea. IBS and intestinal inflammation are two root causes of stomach discomfort that could be leaving you with uncomfortable pain while your body isn’t absorbing the nutrients that it needs to thrive.

Luckily, taking Peppermint essential oil internally has shown promise as a way to cut through the inflammation and help your gut heal! To take Peppermint internally, I like to just add a drop to a glass of water along with a drop of Lemon or Wild Orange. It is a delicious and refreshing drink, especially in the heat of summer. You can also just add it to your water infusions or green smoothies for a minty kick that will help jump-start your digestion.

ENHANCE YOUR WORKOUT WITH PEPPERMINT OIL

Research shows that Peppermint essential oil can enhance your athletic performance. Participants who inhaled Peppermint during an intense workout were able to breathe easier. They could also outperform what they were able to do without the support of the oil. If you work out at home, diffusing Peppermint into your workout space will help you get more out of your exercise routine. You can also carry it with you in a rollerball and apply to your temples, wrists, and feet before and throughout your workout to give yourself a boost.

When you are finished working out and your muscles are feeling the burn, try using diluted Peppermint essential oil in a massage for some instant cooling and soothing relief. Peppermint is also soothing to tension headaches, so applying it to your neck and temples when you feel one coming on can help you find relief faster. This is due to its ability to reduce the inflammation that is causing the tension in the first place.

THE LIST GOES ON…

Wow, that’s a lot of uses of Peppermint! And no, that’s not all it can do…I could go on and on about all the ways I use Peppermint essential oil in my life. From delicious desserts and refreshing beverages to a powerful insect repellant, Peppermint essential oil has so many uses for your body and home. No wonder it’s one of the most popular essential oils on the market today!

Peppermint Essential Oil FAQ:

What is Peppermint essential oil good for?
Peppermint is a very versatile oil. It is great for promoting clear breathing, combating seasonal threats, energizing your mind and body, easing digestive discomfort, cooling hot flashes, supporting a healthy skin and mouth, and even enhancing athletic performance!

How do I use Peppermint essential oil?
You can use Peppermint essential oil topically, aromatically, or internally depending on what your goal is. Before you take any essential oil into your body, just make sure it’s a high-quality, certified brand. 

Can I drink Peppermint essential oil?
Yes (as long as you’re using a quality-tested, certified brand)! It is delicious in smoothies and water infusions and packs a punch for your health, too!

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