9 Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil might be one of the most versatile essential oils out there, with uses ranging from health and beauty to aromatherapy. Most people enjoy the smell, it can add a cooling, tingly quality to lotions or creams, and food-grade mixtures can even be used in cooking.

Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil can be used internally or topically for a myriad of minor health issues. Let’s look at a few of them:

• Relieves headaches. When applied to the forehead, it might alleviate the pain from headaches.
• Helps with digestive problems. Rubbing peppermint essential oil on the abdomen may help with indigestion and acid reflux. It may also be taken internally in enteric-coated capsules to treat IBS symptoms.
• Reduces joint pain. When used in a carrier oil like olive oil, avocado oil or grapeseed oil, it might alleviate minor aches and pains.

Using Peppermint Oil as a Beauty Product

In spite of it being an oil, peppermint is a natural astringent, full of vitamin A and a natural source of salicylic acid. It’s kind of a powerhouse for skin. Here are some things it might help with:

• Helps treat acne. Placing a dab directly on the spots may help dry the acne.
• Works as a skin toner. Try it in a spray toner for your face to help balance your skin tone and prevent acne flare-ups.
• Prevents nail fungus. Manicurists often use peppermint oil for soaking their utensils for doing nails because peppermint oil is antifungal and antimicrobial. The oil can be put directly on nails to prevent fungal outbreaks and condition the nail and nail bed.

Household Uses of Peppermint Oil

In addition to being great for personal care, peppermint oil works well as a green cleaner. Here are a couple of ways it can be used:

• Helps reduce mold and mildew. Cleaning with a solution of peppermint oil not only helps prevent the growth of mold, fungus or mildew, but it also smells fresh and clean.
• Acts as an insect repeller. Cleaning floors, shelves and counters with a peppermint solution may help repel insects from homes and kitchens.

It’s not difficult to make a peppermint cleaning solution at home. Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of "A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Our Toxic Exposures" suggests the following peppermint oil solution as an alternative to chemical cleaners to kill germs and eliminate the toxins in the cleaners. Peppermint oil is antibiotic, antimicrobial and antifungal without being toxic. Here’s the recipe:

• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vinegar
• a drop of dish soap
• 10-15 drops of peppermint oil.

Shake well and then use the mixture on hard surfaces. Let it dry naturally to kill the germs as it dries.

Peppermint oil is versatile and can be used around the house or in a first aid kit and it's delicious, too. Many enjoy the light, clean, minty smell while benefiting from the unique properties of peppermint oil. Make sure when purchasing to use food-grade if you're going to eat it, and cosmetic grade oils if you're going to apply it to the skin. For cleaners, the cheapest will do as long as it's genuine essential oil.

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