There’s no mistaking the aroma of peppermint! It is the loudest of the mint essential oils in common use. But peppermint has good reason to be loud and bold: It possesses strong therapeutic properties which can multi-task on the worst of days that you might be having. Peppermint is energizing, revitalizing, and not afraid to make a statement. It might not be the most sophisticated of oils to be invited to the party, but its confidence and energy means that it’s one that you won’t forget in a hurry.
Let’s see what peppermint essential oil has got to shout about!
Peppermint vs. Spearmint Essential Oil
First, let’s get straight who peppermint is (and isn’t). Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a close relation to spearmint (Mentha spicata), both members of the Lamiaceae family. Peppermint essential oil has a strong, piercing, grass-mint, camphoraceous aroma whereas spearmint essential oil has a warmer, slightly spicier, herbaceous aroma. Spearmint is the one which reminds you of chewing gum. Peppermint is the one which reminds you of holiday candy cane. In terms of use, spearmint essential oil is the slightly less sensitizing one. But we’ll look at that later.
Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil, as mentioned previously, is a multi-tasker. Here’s why peppermint should be in your “essential” oil box:
- Helps achy joints feel better.
- Helps to unclog your sinuses, head, and lungs from congestion.
- Lifts your spirits up.
- Energizes you when feeling fatigued.
- Alleviates feelings of nausea.
- Puts the punch back in your step!
How We Use Peppermint Essential Oil
Here at Your Body Needs, we use peppermint essential oil in combination with other essential oils in a few of our favorite blends. Here’s where you’ll find us using peppermint oil:
- Our in-house massage blend of peppermint and eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) essential oil has been on our menu since 2010, and is a long time favorite for relieving muscle aches and pains.
- Our All Clear essential blend of peppermint (Mentha piperita), eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata), Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), frankincense (Boswellia carteri), and lemon (Citrus limon) clears stuffed up noses and heads fast! It’s also available as a roll-on for on-the-go relief.
- Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Black pepper (Piper nigrum), clove (Syzygium aromaticum), thyme (Thymus vulgaris), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) and peppermint (Mentha piperita) are the key pain-punching ingredients in our Muscle Therapy cream, formulated to punch pain where it hurts and get you moving again.
How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil can be applied topically (in dilution) or diffused in an aromatherapy diffuser. In addition to the combinations that we use with peppermint oil, we recommend a couple of the following blends for other issues:
- Peppermint and clary sage (Salvia sclarea) essential oils for a clear and clarifying mind.
- Peppermint, ginger (Zingiber officinale) and lemon (Citrus limon) essential oils to ease feelings of nausea.
- Peppermint, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) and geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) essential oils to fight unwanted insects in the garden this summer.
Dilution Rate: Add 12 drops of essential oil (total) to 1-oz. of base blend for a 2% dilution rate. For children (of the appropriate age), half this amount.
Cautions for Use: Peppermint essential oil is one oil which should be used with care. It can be sensitizing at higher dilution rates due to its menthol content. Avoid use with, and around, babies and children under seven years of age. Take care with use in pregnancy. Take care when using in the sensitive eye area. Check contra-indications for other essential oils mentioned in this article before use.
Experience Peppermint with Your Body Needs
Peppermint essential oil is an excellent oil to have on hand for life’s problems, giving you some much needed energy, uplifting vibes, mind-clearing and pain-blocking tools to get on with your day. Stop by our webstore to pick up a bottle or visit us in-house (for either a product or massage). Got questions? Give us a call!
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