There are well over 400 essential oils around the globe and
Peppermint is one of the top three, along with Lavender and
Tea Tree, that warrants a place is everyone's cabinet of good
medicine.
Pure Peppermint essential oil (Mentha piperita) is well
known in the pharmaceutical world for its antibacterial,
antispasmodic, stomachic and analgesic properties. The French
pharmacies sell "menthol sticks" to apply to painful areas.
Dr. Daniel Penoel is an internationally recognized French MD
in aromatic medicine, who states that Peppermint essential oil
should "definitely be included in your aromatic collection."
Peppermint is one of the essential oils referred to as
"adaptogenic." I call it "calm vitality". A little can be
calming and a lot can be stimulating. Its menthol qualities
make it cooling and warming at the same time. What a gift from
nature. Held in little oil glands on its leaves, and extracted
by steam distillation, this plant gives us its most precious
liquid. It is one of the few essential oils produced in large
quantities in the USA.
Some main reasons Peppermint is used in aromatherapy is to
relieve: (1) headaches and luggy head feelings, (2) stomach
aches and digestion issues, (3) sinus, cold, and flu illnesses
(4) fatigue and low energy, (5) nausea and motion sickness. We
can write volumes on the good attributes of Peppermint.
To relieve any of these conditions, Peppermint can be used
in the following ways: (1) inhalation right from the bottle,
(2) in a diffuser to clear the air, or on a cotton ball for
your pocket, (3) 2-3 drops in a steam tent for sinus and head
relief, (4) for massage: add 1- 2 drops to a palm-full of
Jojoba and apply to nose, temples, neck, and belly, (5) for
bath: get in the water and repeat palm blend in #4, (6) for
shower: add 2-3 drops to the shower floor after turning on the
hot water, and step into your own personal menthol mist!
The liquid of Peppermint essential oil has many medicinal
benefits for us. Its clean, fresh, uplifting aroma gives us
the mental and emotional inspiration that we often need. Some
report it a bit of an aphrodisiac.
Peppermint, along with the mint and citrus essential oils
can be very irritating and burning if applied straight to the
skin. You know how strong this is when you inhale straight
from the bottle. It is a BIG wake-up call to the brain and
sinuses! Be sure to mix it with a base oil for skin
application. Remember essential oils don't mix with water.
Be gentle with yourself ... and others ... life is
precious.
The September Special is our Peppermint Trifecta,
especially created for this issue. See "This Month's
Spotlight".
