The odor effect of peppermint is cooling, awakening and head clearing. Due to its analgesic (pain relieving) effect peppermint can be used on sprains, strains, swellings, toothaches, muscular aches and headaches.
Best ways to use Peppermint essential oil:
- Direct Palm / Nasal Inhaler: Place a drop of oil in the palm of your hand, gently rub the hands together, cup your hands around your nose and take a deep breath in through the nose. You can also add several drops to nasal inhaler and breathe in throughout the day. You can repeat multiple times though out the day.
- Diffuser: Peppermint is great to add to a diffuser to energize (add black spruce or lemon), to clear congestion (add eucalyptus and frankincense) to aid in memory (add rosemary), or to calm nausea (add chamomile and fennel)
- Add several drops to a lotion base or aloe gel to relive pain from sunburn (add lavender for additional support)
- Add a couple drops to 4oz of water and use as a mouthwash to freshen and cleanse (add myrrh to help fight infections)
- Add a couple of drops to a massage oil to relieve muscular pain (add eucalyptus)
- Apply to temples and back of neck to relieve pain from headache (add lavender)
Other oils it blends well with:
Clary sage, eucalyptus, lavender, lemon, rose geranium, rosemary.
Fun facts: Peppermint is a cross between many wild mints. The true peppermint can not reproduce so propagation from roots needs to take place. Repels mosquitos for about 50 minutes.
Cautions: Although peppermint is considered non-toxic and non-irritating, it can be sensitizing due of its high menthol content, and cause irritation to the skin and mucous membranes.
