Why Use Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint plant, which is a cross-breed mint between spearmint and watermint. Peppermint plant originated from the Middle East and Europe, but has spread out to almost every corner of the world.

Peppermint Cultivation

Peppermint is a plant that flourishes best in regions where conditions are moist with plenty of shade and water. The plant spreads out through rhizomes. Peppermint exists in two forms namely, wild species and cultivated species. Peppermint flowers produce large amounts of nectar that is used by bees to make honey.

Peppermint Oil Extraction

Peppermint oil is extracted from peppermint plant flowers and leaves. The leaves and flowers are cut just as the flowers begin opening. They are then opened up completely to allow faster drying and wilting and afterward the peppermint oil is distilled. However, the cut leaves and flowers may also be taken directly to distillation without being allowed to wilt. The wild species of the plant produces less oil with the cultivated species producing more and quality peppermint oil.

Peppermint Oil Composition

Ccontains menthol in very high contents. Additionally, the oil also has elements such as methyl acetate and menthone. Peppermint oil also contains traces of pinene, pulegone, and limousine, which are natural pesticides.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil is naturally obtained by distilling the flowers and leaves of the pepper plant and making a ensuring a high concentration of menthol in the oil. Peppermint essential oil is mostly used in the manufacture of toothpaste and chewing gum. The oil also improves the functioning of the respiratory system and helps in relieving stomach upset. Other than the above-mentioned uses, peppermint essential oil has the following uses:

A combination of peppermint essential oil and lemon juice is used to for mouth refreshing.

Peppermint essential oil is also added to smoothie recipes to bring out a refreshing twist.

Peppermint essential oil is very helpful in calming the body especially when one has sore muscles.

Peppermint essential oil also gives the body a cooling effect.

Peppermint Oil Uses

Peppermint oil has a variety of uses that range from oral, topical and antimicrobial uses. Peppermint oil is the most resourceful essential oil in the world due to its multiple applications.

Clinical Uses

• Used to reduce nausea effects and soothing the gastric inner lining.
• Relieving muscle pain.
• Serves as a natural painkiller and muscle relaxer. This includes soothing headaches, backaches, and sore muscles. It is also a vital painkiller during colonoscopy procedures.
• Helpful in unclogging the respiratory system of individuals having breathing complications such as asthma, bronchitis, and colds.
• Due to its cooling effect, peppermint oil is used to reduce fever in children.
• A mixture of peppermint oil and lavender oil is used for joint therapy.
• Soothing of itching skin.
• Improving indigestion and bloated stomach.
• Intake of one or two drops of peppermint oil during constipation helps in relieving bloated stomach.
• Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
• Peppermint oil has an effect of balancing hormones in the body.
• Peppermint oil is used in the treatment of breast cancer amongst women.
• Treatment of infantile colic.
• By using peppermint oil for treating infantile colic, you avoid the risks side effects brought by prescribed medications.
• Used in flavoring beverages and foods

Household Uses

• Making of homemade air fresheners
• These air fresheners are of four different types namely:
• The hanging air fresheners which are made by putting small amounts of peppermint oil in a decorated item and hanging it in desired parts of the house. On the other hand, you may opt to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to an already used tea bag for quicker air freshening.
• The minty twist room spritzer, which is easily made by mixing four drops of peppermint oil and four drops of wild orange juice. The mixture is then sprayed around the house using a spraying bottle.
• The pet odor neutralizer which is made by mixing peppermint oil, warm water, baking soda and tea tree oil or lemon oil.
• Carpet freshener made by mixing peppermint oil, baking soda and tea tree essential oils. The mixture is then scattered on carpets within the house.
• Making homemade disinfectants for general purposes. It is made by mixing peppermint oil and lime and is used to prevent illnesses such as E-coli and influenza.

Other Uses

Other than clinical uses, peppermint oil can be used for the following:

• Used to relieve pain during teething in kids.
• This is done by mixing peppermint oil with coconut oil and then applying it on the gum of the teething kid.
• Peppermint oil is used by cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to reduce nausea by rubbing it around the ears.
• Reducing teeth cavities.
• Peppermint oil is used in the manufacture of hair products that enhance thickening and nourishment of damaged hair.
• Peppermint oil is used to relief skin of sunburns by applying directly to the affected skin regions.
• Due to its anti-microbial properties, used for facial treatment that helps in curing acne condition naturally.
• Calming inflammation on the skin
• Used to manufacture natural pesticides that repel bugs, ticks, mice, and lice.
• Inhaling peppermint oil clears out muck in the air passages and also reduces allergies caused by pollen.
• Peppermint is used for the manufacture of soap and other beauty products.
• Used in construction especially in plumbing to check the pipe tightness.
• Peppermint scent arouses alertness and memory enhancement.

Side Effects Of Peppermint Oil

Despite the many benefits accrued to peppermint oil, it has some negative effects,which it may impose on the users. One of the most talked about effects is inducing hepatitis. However, most of the side effects vary depending on the user and the amount of pulegone contained in the peppermint oil product.

If the peppermint oil products are mixed with antacid, they can result in severe heartburns or even nausea. Application of peppermint oil products on infants around the chest region may cause serious respiratory complications.

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