Ancients used peppermint to improve and support their health for more than 1000 years. Records from Greece, Egypt, and Rome document its use to improve digestion.
When asking what is peppermint oil, you may be surprised to learn that it is a natural cross between water mint and spearmint. Here are some of the main peppermint oil benefits known today.
1. Eases Headaches
If you search for what does peppermint oil do, one result is that it helps ease headaches. When you mix peppermint oil with eucalyptus oils, they can relax tense muscles.
When you apply it to your temples, it can help with tension headaches. Always dilute peppermint oil with a carrier oil before applying it to your skin, as it can irritate.
2. Activate Your Smell Receptors
Aromatherapy is a holistic treatment that uses the scents of essential oils to provide a calming effect. Different oils stimulate smell receptors, which affect the limbic system.
Essential oils may enhance memory and support your attention to detail. They can balance your hormones and calm your breathing and your heart rate. Click here for more information about the benefits of other essential oils.
3. Reduces Nausea
There are several peppermint health benefits, but the main one is its ability to reduce nausea in postoperative patients. Placebo studies have shown reduced nausea in people. Study results consider this effect a combination of peppermint’s muscle-relaxing and anti-inflammatory actions.
4. Relieves Stuffy Noses
When you have a common cold, breathing peppermint oil vapors can help reduce nasal congestion. If you put some drops of peppermint oil in a diffuser, the menthol properties can help clear air passageways. It can also have a general energizing effect.
5. Muscle Rub
When you combine eucalyptus oils and peppermint oil, it helps relieve muscle soreness. Combining this mixture with a carrier oil used to dilute essential oils is important. This rub will warm your muscles and calm your nervous system as a massage oil.
6. Dietary Supplements
Manufacturers add peppermint oil to dietary supplements to relieve digestive troubles. Some people find it helpful if they have irritable bowel syndrome, although you should use minimal amounts. Coated capsules are best, so the peppermint can reach the bowel without irritating the stomach.
Mint health benefits include possible help with indigestion. Some people experience heartburn from dietary supplements containing peppermint oil, so it’s best to proceed with some caution.
7. Insect Repellant
There is anecdotal evidence that peppermint can be used topically as a mosquito repellant. Use an adequately diluted peppermint oil to avoid skin rashes.
Use peppermint oil to repel bugs in your home. Apply a small amount of oil to cotton balls and place them near entryways.
Peppermint Oil Benefits
There are so many peppermint oil benefits to remember, it’s challenging to know what will work for you. Try several of these ideas, and you’ll continue to use these oils to support your body.
Did this article help you decide to use essential oils for their health benefits? If so, check our other health and lifestyle articles to find different ways to support your well-being.
