If I could only have one essential oil it would be Peppermint. It is a “let’s wake up and move” oil. It’s fresh, minty aroma grabs your attention right away and propels you forward. I love it’s strong invigorating aroma, but it also has many other amazing benefits.
Helps Get You Through Your Day
Peppermint essential oil is known for it’s digestive support. Nausea, irritable bowel syndrome, and travel sickness can be helped by inhaling the oil or using it in a cold compress applied to the abdomen. Peppermint oil also awakens and invigorates the mind. It can reduce fatigue and help you stay sharp; it is a central nervous system stimulant. This is great as a pick-me-up for the mid afternoon slump. I just put a drop on my lava bead bracelet and smell it throughout the rest of the day. This versatile oil is also used for immune support. It has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It is great to use in diffusers, topical applications, and household cleaners for these purposes.
Peppermint essential oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and is really good for sore, achy muscles and joints. It has a soothing icy-hot feel to it. A word of caution is needed here: This essential oil needs to be diluted in a carrier oil (such as, coconut oil) or a lotion or body butter. It can irritate the skin and that soothing icy-hot feeling can become more hot and not so soothing. You also want to avoid using it around the eyes.
This oil is also a great pain reliever. Inhaling it can help relieve headaches. It is my go to oil for migraines. Unfortunately, this is a regular part of my life, but with peppermint oil I find the pain relief I need. I can usually stop an oncoming migraine with a topical application to my neck.
Peppermint Also Pampers
Now on to the pampering benefits. Have you ever had a foot bath with peppermint essential oil after a long day? It is a wonderful thing. Just put 1-2 drops of oil in a shallow bowl filled with warm water and soak those tired feet for 5-10 minutes. I wouldn’t recommend this for a full bath because of it’s spicy nature, but for a foot bath, the relieving effect is marvelous. I was getting a pedicure with my daughters-in-law a few weeks ago and the woman who was doing mine put a scrub on my legs with peppermint in it. Oh my, that was lovely. I said to myself, “I need to make some of this!” I went home and immediately added peppermint oil to a salt scrub and a lotion.
Going hiking?…try rubbing some peppermint lotion on your feet before putting on your socks and boots. That refreshing, cooling feeling will carry you far. I know, I’ve done it.
Now you know why I love this oil so much. It helps wake up my mind, relieves a mid-day slump, can stop a migraine, eases sore muscles, helps with immune support, and provides some pampering.
Peppermint is truly an amazing essential oil!
