Peppermint is one of the most commonly used essential oils, and it’s easy to see why! Well, the smell is a remedy for nausea and headaches, and it is very good that peppermint essential oil benefits both your health and the home. At any time of the year, anything peppermint-y instantly makes things feel like Christmas!
When I think of peppermint, the calming effect of menthol immediately comes to mind. There are an infinite number of uses for this refreshing oil so read on for some of our favorites!
How to use pepper essential oil
One warning: Avoid specific use of peppermint in infants and young children. Due to its high menthol content, this essential oil must not be used on babies or small children as it can cause life-threatening respiratory problems.
1. Pepper for headache
Peppermint is one of the most commonly used essential oils headache. Combined with lavender, it is a favorite remedy for natural headache relief. In fact, many aromatherapy texts suggest a combination of peppermint and lavender as the first option to try when you have a headache.
The calming effect of peppermint is pleasant, and its essential oil can be very effective tension headaches [source] or headache due to sinus congestion. Research has shown that topical application of peppermint EO produces a cooling effect on the skin that causes it to change cold receptors. [source].
Massage headache
Give yourself a quick massage then relieve headaches and discomfort. Mix 5 drops of peppermint EO with a tablespoon of castor oil coconut or almonds (or use a healing balm) and massage into your temples and neck. Bonus: peppermint promotes hair growth while its menthol seals hair at the roots for instant volume.
Anxiety?
Diffuse peppermint and lavender, or mix a few drops with carrier oil and apply to the temples or back of the neck to reduce tension and stress.
2. Pepper for respiratory issues
Peppermint is a great option to consider when treating respiratory ailments. It is antibacterial and antiviral [source] and also makes it an effective natural irritant. The menthol in peppermint can help improve breathing efficiency and is considered beneficial when treating coughs.
When it is made into a simple heart cleaner, it can be applied to the chest or back when there is a cough and cold. Or you can expand peppermint, Eucalyptusand lavender essential oils to support breathing and help fight disease.
Encourage healthy breathing.
Wipe off one drop peppermint EO and 1 teaspoon of fractionated coconut oiland place it on the skin under your nose to help open the airways to breathe faster.
Take a deep breath.
Put a small amount on the skin or hold the bottle under your nose. Breathe deeply to strengthen your lungs and increase alertness. Try this simple breathing combination.
Make it up.
Enter peppermint and Eucalyptus EOs and DIY bath salts for the bath promise to help you breathe faster.
3. Pepper for concentration & Focus
Do you find it difficult to focus on the task at hand? Try peppermint! Its fresh, warm scent is a must-have for situations when focus and concentration are needed [source]. Peppermint EO is a common ingredient in a blend designed to help forgive you in mind, and when connected rosemaryIt’s a great way to fight mental fatigue!
Spread it around your workspace, or create one roller ball A combination to have with you whenever you want to fight the distraction. Mix it with other brain boosting oils eg rosemary, Eucalyptusor orange to create your own personalized mix.
Open writer’s block.
Peppermint refreshes your body to keep those productive juices flowing. Just spritz peppermint EO on your shirt before class for better concentration and alertness.
Building focus.
Pepper and rosemary EO combines to be successful dance room for when you want to keep working.
4. Peppermint for digestive problems
Peppermint is perhaps best known for its effectiveness when dealing with digestive problems [source]. It has an antispasmodic effect [source] which is considered beneficial for the intestines [source] and make it useful for many digestive problems. In fact, I’m the one who goes to the oil when I’m dealing either way Kind of a stomach bug in my house!
Tummy calmer.
A small amount of peppermint oil mixed with castor oil (eg jojoba) can be sprinkled on an upset stomach, or you can spread peppermint when someone is sick with nausea or vomiting.
Refresh your mouth.
Add peppermint EO to you homemade toothpasteor use it to taste this teeth whitening brush. However, keep in mind that essential oils are highly concentrated and can disrupt the normal microbiome of your mouth after repeated use. Over time, this can kill off some of the good bacteria your mouth needs to fight gum and cavity disease. So use this only occasionally and not daily.
5. Pepper for Pain & Inflammation
Did you know that peppermint has anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties? [source]? The main ingredient in peppermint is menthol, which is often used in pain relievers.
It is also responsible for the various cooling effects that occur when peppermint is used topically. This effect is calming for the body [source]stiff joints, and muscle pain.
Hot foot repair.
Add peppermint EO to a cold compress and give your feet an extra workout. Or put it in a foot bath for frost.
A joint effort.
For an easy muscle and joint oil, combine a couple of peppermint essential oils with carrier oil and rub on the sore spot. Or, if you really want to ease your sore muscles and joints, do some of these warm body rubs.
6. Peppermint for house airing and diffuser blends
I love the smell of peppermint, and I of course I like to use it in my EO blend to scent my house. In the spray area, it can be used to deodorize certain areas of the house or to freshen or freshen the air inside.
It can be sprayed during the winter months to help you breathe through the longest winter days. My favorite is connecting peppermint with spearmint or vanilla EO for a minty fragrance. Or it can be combined with pine essential oil for a holiday mix!
Stimulate your mind.
Before your next workout, apply a little peppermint EO to your chest, or take a deep breath straight from the open bottle. Then, after your workout, add it to your shampoo to stimulate your mind and help with scalp health.
Zero to satisfaction in seconds.
Most people eat until they are full. Spreading peppermint will help control the urge to eat junk food. It’s a great way to control your appetite and get satisfied quickly.
Posting.
Your own scent greeting cardand your recipient will be excited to open the envelope.
7. Peppermint for cleaning
Peppermint has a powerful antimicrobial effect [source]so why not use it in yours cleaning the mixture? I like to combine peppermint and citrus oils to really increase the anti-bacterial properties in the DIY soap. Also, it makes my house stink wonderful New!
It’s also a great option to consider as an air purifier when someone is sick at home. Just mix it with other air-purifying oils and spread!
As an added bonus, peppermint is considered an effective pest repellent. Therefore, it is not only useful for ridding your home of germs, but at the same time, you can prevent pests!
Remove the ants.
Mix 10 to 15 drops of peppermint essential oil and 1 cup of water in a spray bottle. Run well and spray around cracks and holes or wherever ants are found.
8. Peppermint for a beauty blend
In a 2010 study of the antioxidant activity of six popular essential oils, peppermint essential oil showed the greatest radical-scavenging ability. [source]. Why is that important? Free radicals are the main cause of aging, and the more antioxidants that help fight them, the better!
Enjoy the mix.
Peppermint essential oil makes a delicious addition to all things chocolate. Add a drop to your chocolate drink and baked goods. Or combine peppermint with chocolate EO for zero years sugar scrub. Yum!
Treat your toes.
Mix peppermint EO with sugar and crushed peppermint to make it refreshing peppermint foot scrub. Or add peppermint to a foot massage to soothe tired toes and remove dead feet.
Lick your lips.
Peppermint makes a delicious addition to homemade toothpaste. And if you love mint chocolate ice cream, then you will love the combination of cocoa butter and peppermint in this one. Homemade lip balm.
Brush your hair
Add 4 drops of peppermint essential oil to a bottle of lip gloss and mix to combine. Apply it to your lips as it absorbs the menthol to create a glowing effect that stimulates blood flow and temporarily plumps the lips.
As you can see, there are many ways you can use peppermint essential oil on a daily basis—I’m not scratching the surface! It is really versatile and there will be for everyone the need of oil. From fighting germs and reducing pain, peppermint is an EO benefit for sure.
Dr. This post is medically reviewed. Holly Smith, a board certified nephrology and internal medicine physician with a background in nutrition. Learn more about Hello Glow health reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk to your doctor.
<