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Peppermint essential oil: multiple benefits for your health

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Peppermint essential oil: multiple benefits for your health
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Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, painkilling and healing properties. It’s refreshing smell is especially effective at combating sweating while it can also give you an energy boost thanks to it’s tonic effects.  But how can we use the beneficial properties of peppermint essential oil for daily complaints?  Read on to find out more.  

Peppermint essential oil: When you shouldn’t use it

Peppermint essential oil must be diluted before use due to the oil’s high concentration of carvone (more than 50%) which is a neurotoxic and abortive molecule when taken in high doses.  It is also is not allowed to be taken during pregnancy or given to children under 6 years of age.

The oil is also not recommended at night as it an energy booster.  If using it externally you should avoid applying the oil directly onto the skin as it has an icy effect.

If you are diffusing the oil you should not expose yourself to more than ten minutes and you should always avoid eyes.

Mint essential oil is not recommended to people that are taking medical treatments as it can get in to the bloodstream and slow down the effects of medication.

Try and choose organic products so as to avoid chemical compounds.

Anti-infectious – The oil fights against bacteria and viruses

The oil’s anti-infectious properties are ideal for naturally getting rid of winter bugs like such as sinusitis, rhinitis, otitis, laryngitis or to treat shingles, viral neuritis or eczematous pruritus.

If you have an infection you can take 1 to 2 drops of peppermint essential oil mixed with honey or on a piece of bread 2 to 3 times per day.

If you want to use it on your skin you should dilute it with a vegetable oil (coconut, sweet almond, jojoba…)

Peppermint essential oil helps with digestion

Peppermint essential oil stimulates digestion and relieves nausea. It can also be used in situations of:

  • flatulence,
  • gastralgia,
  • ulcers,
  • viral hepatitis,
  • cirrhosis,
  • spasmodic and inflammatory colitis …

If you want to use the oil to relieve nausea or ease digestion take a drop of peppermint essential oil on teaspoon of sugar or a piece of soft bread. If you suffer from travel sickness you can apply a drop of the oil onto a tissue and then breath into the tissue if you start to feel sick.

You can also apply the oil mixed with a vegetable oil on to you stomach to calm intestinal spasms which can happen when you are nervous. (Butterflies in your stomach)

A stimulating tonic

Peppermint essential oil is hypertensive and it’s cleansing properties are effective at stimulating your physical and intellectual functions.

If you have a wave a temporary tiredness or need an energy boost you can apply a drop of peppermint essential oil and a drop of bay leaf essential oil onto your wrists and there breath the smell that it gives off deeply.

Painkilling and anti-inflammatory: The oil can soothe pain

The analgesic, anti-inflammatory and anesthetic properties of this essential oil can soothe pain associated with:

  • migraines,
  • headaches
  • neuralgia,
  • sciatica,
  • intestinal and urinary problems,
  • prostate problems,
  • cystitis, nephritic colic …

So as to calm muscle pain, migraines hematoma, sciatica, joint inflammation or neuralgia, you can apply 2 to 3 drops of peppermint essential oil mixed with a small amount of vegetable oil (your choice) and apply onto the area.  Be careful of your eyes.

Ask for advice from a doctor, naturopathist or aromatherapist before using essential oils especially if there could be reasons why you shouldn’t take the oils or if you suffer from allergies.

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