Benefits & Uses for Peppermint Oil

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Where Did Peppermint Come From?

Who loves a good story? No? How about an interesting story? Well no matter you can skip the story. It is said that peppermint came from a Greek water nymph named Minthe. She caught the attention of Hades, the god of the underworld, who just happened to married to the goddess Persephone. Well, Persephone found out about this love affair and in a rage went to avenge herself. Now here is where the story gets tricky because there are 2 no 3 different versions, so pick the one you like best.

1. Persephone kicked and stomped Minthe into the ground. When Hades found out he turned her into a plant that everyone would be attracted to.
2. Hades came upon the two women and seeing the wrath in his wife's eyes turned Minthe into a plant before Persephone could do her any harm.
3. Persephone was giving Minthe a working over and Hades turned her into a plant. Persephone began stomping on the plant releasing the aromatic smell of peppermint which calmed her.

Background on Peppermint Essential Oil   

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Due to the fact that there are conflicting facts on peppermint I will only write the things I found to be consistent. Peppermint is in the mint family and is a cross between water mint and spearmint. Peppermint has grown in Europe and the Middle East for hundreds of years. It has also been found in the tombs of Egypt. Today it is grown in various places around the world. 

• Processing -  Peppermint essential oil is steam distilled from the leaves and stems
• Species - Menta Piperita 

Therapeutic Properties

• Analgesic - Relieves pain
• Antiseptic - Prevents the growth of disease causing microorganisms 
• Antigalactagogue - Reduces a mother's milk supply
• Antiphlogistic - Reduces inflammation
• Antispasmodic - Used to reduce muscle spasms 
• Astringent - Causes the contraction of body tissues usually the skin
• Carminative -  Relieves gas
• Cholagogue - Promotes the discharge of bile from the system
• Decongestant -  Relieves nasal congestion 
• Emmenagogue - Increases menstrual flow
• Expectorant - Helps to bring up mucus from the lungs
• Febrifuge -  Fever reducer
• Nervine -  Calms nerves
• Stimulant - Raises the levels of physiological or nervous activity within the body
• Stomachic - Promotes appetite or assists with digestion  
• Sudorific -  Induces sweating
• Vasoconstrictor - Causes blood vessels to narrow
• Vermifuge - Relieves worms and parasites 

Ways To Use Peppermint Oil

Aromatic

• ·          Place 2 to 3 drops of oil in a diffuser
• ·         Put a drop on each palm, rub together, place over nose and mouth, and breathe normally
• ·         Inhale directly from the bottle
•       Put a few drops on the collar of the shirt and inhale as needed
•       Put a few drops on a piece of cloth inhale as needed

Topical

Peppermint oil may be applied as is to the skin, but those with sensitive skin, young children and the elderly should dilute it using a carrier oil such as coconut or jojoba. The carrier oil will take nothing away from the medicinal properties of the essential oil.

• Reflex Points - For some issues applying diluted oil to specific areas of the souls of the feet are recommended. 

To dilute click on this link. 

Internal - Never ingest essential oils except under the care of an aromatherapist certified in the area.

Everyday Uses                                        

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Household Uses

●     Insecticide – Apply 1 – 2 drops onto a cotton ball and then place it in the problem area

Mental & Emotional Health

●     Alertness – Combine one drop each of peppermint,  frankincense, and orange; then apply a drop on each palm (as mentioned above in aromatic)

●     Autism – Apply by rubbing in one drop of diluted oil on the chest each day

●     Endurance – Refer to any options mentioned above in aromatic suggestions

●     Memory – Diffuse thoroughly within the room when seeking to enhance memory

Oral Health –

●     Halitosis – Apply 1 drop onto your toothbrush, or create a homemade mouthwash by using ½ cup filtered water, 2 tsp organic baking soda, 4 drops of peppermint oil.

Physical Issues

●     Antioxidant – All of the methods for aromatic, topical can be utilized for this purpose

●     Appetite Suppressant – Inhale directly from the bottle or add 1 drop to a cup of filtered water

●     Asthma – Diffuse, or apply by rubbing, a diluted drop of oil onto the chest

●     Bacterial Infections – Rub a diluted drop of oil on the problem area

●     Bell’s Palsy – Can be used topically and aromatically as directed above

●     Brain Injury – The same method as described under Bell’s Palsy

●     Chronic Fatigue – Diffuse throughout the room, or apply a diluted drop of oil by rubbing or massaging onto the bottom of both feet

●     Common Polyps – Rub a diluted drop of oil on the problem area

●     Congestion – Diffuse throughout the room, inhale directly from the bottle, or rub a drop of diluted oil onto the chest area

●     Constipation – Slowly rub one diluted drop of oil on the abdomen in a clockwise motion

●     Cooling -  Rub or massage the diluted oil on back of the neck, wrists, behind the knees, and even apply onto the tailbone

●     Cramps – Rub diluted oil on the problem area

●     Crohn’s Disease - Rub in one drop of diluted oil on the abdomen area

●     Decrease Milk Supply (nursing moms) – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil on both breasts 1 – 2 times a day to increase milk supply

●     Diarrhea -  Rub a drop of diluted oil on the abdomen using a clockwise motion

●     Endurance – Utilize any or all of the aromatic suggestions and methods listed above

●     Fainting – Hold the bottle under the nose of the person who may faint or feel faint

●     Fever – Rub or massage a single drop of diluted oil onto the bottoms of both feet, on the back of the neck, and even on the tailbone

●     Gamma Radiation Exposure – Rub or massage 1 drop of diluted oil onto the bottoms of both feet.

●     Gastritis – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil in a clockwise motion onto the abdomen.

●     Headaches – Rub or massage 1 drop of diluted oil onto each temple, avoid the eyes due to irritation

●     Heartburn – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the chest area or take orally

●     Hernia – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil over the problem area

●     Herpes Simplex – Rub 1 diluted drop over the problem area

●     Hot Flashes – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the back of the neck and also onto the bottom of each foot

●     Huntington’s  Disease – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the bottoms of each foot, or diffuse throughout the room

●     Hypothyroidism – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil on directly onto the thyroid area and reflex points on the bottom of both feet 

●     Indigestion – Diffuse throughout the room, rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the reflex points of each foot, or apply by rubbing 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil using a clockwise motion onto the abdomen

●     Irritable Bowel Syndrome – Apply by rubbing 1 drop of diluted oil in a clockwise motion onto the abdomen, rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil on the reflex points on the bottom of both feet.

●     Jet Lag – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil on the bottom of each foot

●     Menstrual Cramps – Apply by rubbing a drop of diluted oil over the problem area

●     Motion Sickness – Place a drop of oil directly onto a shirt, inhale directly from the bottle, even on car seats, or apply a few drops onto a cotton ball or scrap of cloth to inhale when needed

●     MRSA – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the problem area

●     Multiple Sclerosis – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil directly on the problem area

●     Muscle Aches – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil directly on the problem area

●     Myelin Sheath – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil directly on the problem area

●     Nausea – See Motion Sickness method listed above

●     Osteoporosis – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil on the problem area

●     Paralysis – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil to the area of concern, or diffuse thoroughly throughout the room

●     Rhinitis – Inhale directly from the bottle, or apply by rubbing 1 drop of diluted oil  on the side of the nose, avoid the eyes due to irritation

●     Sciatica – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil onto the hips, begin at the center of the sacrum and work the rubbing in an outward motion

●     Shock – Utilize any of the aromatic methods listed above or massage 1 drop of diluted oil on the neck, chest, and both shoulders

●     Sinusitis – Inhale directly from the bottle or rub 1 drop of diluted oil on the sinus area, avoid the eyes due to irritation

●     Surgical Wounds – Gently pat 1 drop of diluted oil onto the problem area to avoid itching the wound, use as needed when irritation or itching occurs

●     Swollen Eyes – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil onto the temple next to the swollen eye, avoid the eyes due to irritation

●     Tennis Elbow – Rub 1 – 2 drops of diluted oil directly onto the problem area

●     Throat Infection – Rub 1 drop of diluted oil on the throat and chest area - at the same time gargle with 1 cup of warm water that contains ½ tsp of sea salt and 1 drop of oil use several times throughout the day, or diffuse throughout the room

●     Typhoid – Diffuse throughout the room, or apply by rubbing 1 drop of diluted oil on the bottom of each foot, consider adding some of the oil into a natural household cleaners

●     Ulcer – Apply by rubbing 1 drop of diluted oil on the abdomen.

Skin Issues

●     Cold Sores – Dab a diluted drop of oil on the problem area

●     Hives – Gently rub 1 - 2 drops of diluted oil on the problem area

●     Itching – Same method as seen listed under Hives

●     Scabies – Same method as seen listed under Hives

●     Ticks – Put 1 pure drop on the tick and it will release easily, fall off, or back away from the area

Oils that Combine well with Peppermint

• Cypress
• Eucalyptus 
• Geranium
• Grapefruit
• Juniper
• Lavender 
• Lemon
• Marjoram 
• Rosemary
• Tea Tree (melaleuca) 

DISCLAIMER: Prior to utilizing peppermint oil and the methods listed, always consult your healthcare professional or aromatherapist directly, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, planning on becoming pregnant, dealing with a current health problem, or taking additional medications. In addition, due to the strength of the oil and scent, peppermint oil should not be used for treating children under the age of 7. Remember, peppermint oil should always be diluted before directly applied onto certain areas of skin. If irritation or allergic reaction occurs stop the use of peppermint oil and consult a medical professional immediately.

Do you use Peppermint Oil? How are some ways you use it?
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