According to Greek mythology, Pluto transformed a nymph he had fallen in love with, named Mentha, into a herb so people could continue to love her for many years to come. Granted that’s one of the more bizarre romantic gestures, but Pluto would be happy if he could see how much we continue to love peppermint today. Peppermint oil is one of the oldest European medicinal oils and can even be traced back to many ancient Chinese medicinal practices. Just a sniff of this essential oil can melt away our stress and help us relax. But apart from its extensive uses in aromatherapy, there are many other creative ways you can start using peppermint oil.
1. To Bring Down A Fever
A low-grade fever that lasts a day or two is perfectly normal. All it means is that your body’s immune system is putting up a good fight against foreign invaders. However, if you have a very high fever that shows now signs of abating, it might be something more serious. Along with treatments that your doctor has prescribed, peppermint oil can help bring down your temperature. Apply a few drops of it to your temples, your back and the soles of your feet. Peppermint oil also produces an instant cooling sensation which will help you feel immediately much better.
2. To Ease Joint Pain
Arthritis and rheumatism can leave you with achy joints that severely restrict your mobility. If you often feel pain is going to be your constant companion, then give peppermint oil a shot. Peppermint oil is widely renowned for its pain relieving properties. It can also increase blood circulation which can help your pain subside. Mix 10 drops of peppermint oil along with an ounce of a carrier oil like coconut or sweet almond oil and massage this over your joints. You can even add a few drops of peppermint oil to your knee brace to give you relief throughout the day.
3. To Soothe Skin Irritation
Peppermint oil is very effective at killing bacteria and fungi, making it a powerful ally for you against skin infections. If you’re suffering from a rash or any sort of infection on your skin, peppermint oil is a great natural remedy. Try not to apply it directly onto your skin though as it might irritate sensitive, broken skin even further. With essential oils, the general rule of thumb is to mix 10 drops of the essential oil along with one ounce of a carrier oil like jojoba, sweet almond or coconut oil. Mix peppermint oil along with your favorite carrier oil and apply this to the affected area. Keep doing this until the irritation completely disappears.
4. To Relieve Nausea
If you’re in the early stages of your pregnancy or have severe motion sickness, then you’re no stranger to nausea. There are many drugs that promise relief from nausea but they also have many side-effects you will need to contend with. Peppermint oil, on the other hand, is a completely safe, natural remedy for nausea and is just as effective as many drugs. You can add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to your diffuser and let it run every time you feel a wave of nausea coming on. You can even rub a few drops over your wrist or onto a hanky so you can take a big whiff of it every time you feel nauseous.
5. As A Treatment For Lice
While we can’t get enough of peppermint oil, lice absolutely detest this stuff. If you or one of your kids has a lice infestation, then peppermint oil is your savior. Mix peppermint oil along with coconut oil (which also has strong antibacterial properties) and massage this onto your hair. Pay special attention to the scalp because this is where most of the lice and their eggs are. Pull a shower cap over it and leave it on overnight. Wash it off the next day with a clarifying shampoo. Keep doing this every alternate days until the lice are gone for good.
6. As A Bath Salt
You can make your own relaxing bath salts at home with peppermint oil. Take 2 cups of epsom salt, 7 drops of peppermint essential oil and 3 drops of tea tree essential oil. Add all of these to a resealable bag and keep shaking until everything is well-combined. Add this entire mixture to your warm bath and soak in it for at least 15 minutes. This bath salt will help your whole body relax and will soothe your sore muscles. You can also make a large batch of this in advance and store it in a glass jar with an airtight lid.
7. As An All-Purpose Disinfectant
Cleaning your home regularly with a disinfectant is very important to keep harmful germs away. However, most commercial disinfectants leave behind toxic chemical residues. But you don’t really need commercial germ sprays when you have something as strong as peppermint oil. Fill a regular-sized glass spray bottle with pure distilled water and add 1 tablespoon of peppermint oil along with 1 tablespoon of lemon essential oil to it. Give it a good shake and use this like you would a normal disinfecting spray. We can promise you, however, that no disinfectant you’ve used before will smell as good as your natural concoction.
8. To Reduce Bloating
Peppermint candy is a popular after-dinner treat for a good reason. If you often get bloated after a meal, then peppermint oil can help your tummy come back to normal again. In a large glass of warm water, mix 1 drop of peppermint essential oil. Sip on this slowly because taking large gulps will make you even more bloated. Peppermint essential oil relaxes the muscles of your intestine which helps trapped gas pass through and leaves you feeling less bloated.
