Peppermint Oil Uses

Peppermint oil uses are many. The essential oil of peppermint is one of the most popular and versatile oils in existence. Why? Because it is easy to use for so many different applications. People are using it for many purposes, including the following:

• Alertness, appetite suppression, arthritis
• Back issues
• Candida, cold sores, concentration
• Dermatitis, digestion issues
• Eczema
• Fungal infections
• Gallbladder issues
• Headaches, herpes zoster, human papilloma virus
• Inflammation, itchy skin
• Lumbago
• Memory
• Nausea
• Obesity
• Pain, parasites, pneumonia, psoriasis
• Respiratory infections, rheumatism
• Scoliosis, skin conditions
• Tuberculosis
• Varicose veins, viral infections
• Weight control

How can there be so many different peppermint oil uses? Because it is made up of many different compounds. Some of these compounds have analgesic (pain relieving) properties, appetite suppression properties, anti-inflammation properties, antiparasitic (worms) properties, antiviral properties. Other peppermint oil uses are as digestive stimulants and yet others relate to gall bladder issues.

There are many success stories for peppermint, so I’ll share just two.

1. One of Darleen's favorite peppermint oil uses is for headaches. She puts a drop or two in the palm of one hand, uses the index finger of the other hand to make three clockwise circles in the palm of the first hand, and then puts this across her forehead. Careful not to get it in your eyes, though.

2. When my weight gets above 120, I start eating less and begin adding a drop or two of peppermint oil to my water glass at dinner each night. Very soon, my weight will be back where I want it to be. Works for me every time!

Peppermint is a powerful oil by itself, so that happens when it is expertly combined with other oils? The power and effectiveness of the ingredients is not like just adding together the sum of the parts, but is exponentially more effective! Here are some of my favorite essential oil blends that contain peppermint.

1. Combine it with the essential oils of basil, marjoram, lavender and cypress or an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxing blend that promotes circulation so as to help muscles that are aching, tight, spasmed, or inflamed from fatigue, injury or stress. This Aroma Siez blend is a favorite of massage therapists.
   
   
2. Combine it with the essential oils of tarragon, ginger, juniper, fennel, lemongrass, anise, and patchouli for relieving digestive problems (including indigestion, heartburn, gas, and bloating) and for combating candida and parasite infections. This DiGize blend is one that my mother and I can’t live without. Since using DiGize, she has given away all of her over-the-counter acid indigestion and heartburn medications.
   
   
3. Combine it with the essential oils of marjoram, lavender, basil, Roman chamomile, and helichrysum for a wonderful anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic blend called M-Grain. Can you guess what M-Grain is designed for?
   
   
4. Combine it with helichrysum, wintergreen, and clove for a blend that is a favorite of many people. It’s called PanAway and I recommend that every home have this blend in their medicine cabinet or first aid kit. It is formulated to relieve the swelling and discomfort from arthritis, bumps, bruises, cramps, muscle spasms, and sprains. By increasing circulation to the area and thus reduce pain and inflammation, it can help accelerate the healing process. This blend used to be called PainAway.
   
   
5. When combined with Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus citriodora, myrtle, pine, spruce, lavender, and cypress, one of its formulations is called R.C., which stands for “respiratory congestion.” This blend has been formulated to provide relief from:

Colds, coughs, sore throats, bronchitis, sinusitis, and respiratory congestion

Allergy symptoms

Lung infections

Congested sinus passages

Other blends containing peppermint include Clarity, Raven, Relieve It, SclarEssence, and Transformation.

Other peppermint oil uses include nutritional supplements such as BLM Powder, ComforTone, CortiStop, Digest & Cleanse softgels, Essentialzyme, KidScents Mightyzyme, Mineral Essence, Polyzyme, ProGen and Thyromin.

Additional peppermint oil uses include lip balms, toothpastes, soaps and shower gels, and in specially formulated creams. Two of these creams provide relief for my lower back and knee pain.

My favorite peppermint-containing product is the Thieves Hard Lozenges, which help me with sinus congestion, whether it’s from a cold, allergies, or just life. The Thieves blend contains essential oils with compounds having analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiviral properties and more. The menthol in the peppermint helps clear my sinuses. The advantage of a lozenge is that is can go directly into the bloodstream.

But let the buyer beware. Peppermint is one of the most widely produced essential oils and it is also one of the most frequently adulterated. For example, a distiller might make his 100% pure essential oil go farther by “cutting” it or diluting it with a synthetic product. In the United States, a bottle of essential oil can legally claim to be “pure” even if it has only 5% of what is on the front label. Most people don’t have the time to visit all of the top suppliers of “pure” peppermint oil, and even if they did, even fewer people have the expertise to differentiate between therapeutic quality and an adulterated oil. The bottom line is that if you want therapeutic benefits, you need a therapeutic grade essential oil, such as those at www.EssentialOilsProducts.com.