Peppermint Essential Oil: A Guide to Uses and Benefits

25 Mar

Mint leaves — **Peppermint Oil - Mentha piperita**

**Note -** top
**Countries of Origin -** USA, England, France
**Primary Benefits**
Head clearing
Invigorating, refreshing
Uplifting, cooling
Pain relief
**Aromatic Description**
Minty, fresh, herbaceous
**Collection Method**
Steam distillation
**Plant Part**
Leaf/Stem

Welcome to this post about Peppermint essential oil: A Guide to Uses and Benefits.

Who can go past the heady, fresh aroma of peppermint. it’s bright and promising, head clearing and uplifting. It cools the skin and you sure know when you’ve got it on you !

History

How Peppermint has been used Historically

Peppermint is thought to have originated in Northern Africa or the Mediterranean.

Peppermint gets its name from Greek mythology. As the legend goes, the god Hades was having an affair with a nymph named Minthe. When his wife found out about his infidelity, she turned Minthe into a common plant that grew like a weed and was constantly under foot. To soften his lover’s fate, Hades altered the curse. He left Minthe a weed but gave her a sweet, calming scent to remind others of her presence as they walked over her. That’s love!

The ancient Romans often used peppermint to flavor special dishes served during feasts, including it in both sauces and wine. The decorative plant was also commonly presented on dining tables, and noblemen were known to braid its long stems into festive crowns and wear them. Ancient Hebrews covered the floors of synagogues with mint on special occasions because of its pleasant and calming scent.

The Difference Between Mint and Peppermint

Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint (which contains significantly less mint flavor) and water mint (which grows in aquatic environments and is much more potent).

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What Peppermint Essential Oil does for the Brain

Although it is a myth that peppermint makes you smarter, some evidence suggests that mint may have some cognitive benefits. Past research has indicated that peppermint oil, in particular, may increase alertness and performance, decrease fatigue and stimulate the central nervous system.

Personally, I just love the smell and find it quite uplifting.

Here are Seven Uses for Peppermint Essential Oil

Mood uplifter
Put a drop on a tissue or even clothing. Inhale before and during a workout to help boost your mood and reduce fatigue.
Rub diluted peppermint oil on your temples for instant relaxation and tension relief. I’d use minimal peppermint here as it’s close to your eyes and can get a bit fumey which makes your eyes water ! Dilute, dilute, dilute !
Aphrodisiac
Peppermint essential oi increases sensitivity. Add a drop into a carrier oil and use for a sensual massage. No questions asked :) Enjoy!
Headaches and migraines
Nasal application of peppermint oil caused considerable reduction in the intensity and frequency of headache and relieved majority of patients' pain similar to lidocaine (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31404204/)
I apply it neat to the back of my head, right where the skull meets the neck. I find this works well to relieve a tension headache. I always have a bottle of peppermint essential oil in my handbag. It’s useful for colleagues as well :)
Insect repellant
I put a drop or two on a damp cloth and wipe out cupboards and drawers to keep ants away
Try using it in a diffuser and maybe add a drop of lavender essential oil as well. Makes the room smell awesome as another bonus !
You could even make a simple spray with just water and peppermint essential oil and spray around your home's entry points. It can help keep away a bunch of unwanted critters. Remember that water and oil don’t mix so it will need a good shake before use. With no preservative in it, I’d make up only enough spray per one application.
Eases congestion
A drop or two in a carrier oil - rub on the chest. Works like good old Vicks :)
In a vaporiser again ! Add some eucalyptus and even tea tree to the vaporiser as well for a super decongestant boost.
Improves memory
Simply add a drop or two to a tissue and sniff. It should last several hours on the tissue before needing another drop.
Reduces inflammation
A 2019 review of 12 trials examined the efficacy of peppermint oil capsules in treating IBS when compared with a placebo. Researchers found that treatment with peppermint oil improved abdominal pain and other symptoms of IBS.
That would need the advice of a health professional before embarking on that journey.
You could also just add a drop of peppermint essential oil to a glass of water as a safe method of ingesting.

Uses

Ways to Use Peppermint Essential Oil

Blends well with eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, rosemary. Try diffusing in a vaporiser for an uplifting room fragrance. Eucaplytus will aid as a decongestant, grapefruit is also good for respiratory conditions and also helps arthritis, lavender for calm and also pain relief, rosemary to help with cognitive function.

Well known for it’s decongestant ability. It is ideal for colds and ‘flu type symptoms. I’d use this in a vaporiser again. Or a single drop on a tissue - which is a lot more transportable !

It’s warming qualities help relieve muscular tension, stiff and swollen joints. Try adding a drop or two in a carrier oil and rubbing on the area.

Improves circulation, particularly in the limbs.

Eases the discomfort of varicose veins. Add some lavender and cypress essential oils to a carrier oil of choice and rub gently from the bottom to the top of the vein.

Great skin cleanser, especially for oily skin. Peppermint essential oil helps control the secretion of excess oil. This helps acne breakouts as well. Make a paste with bentonite clay and water, add a couple of drops of peppermint essential oil. Use as a leave on mask for 15 minutes. Rinse off in lukewarm water.

Please note: this article is for information only and in no way should replace the advice of a health professional.

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