Peppermint essential oil is one of the most versatile essential oils. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of peppermint, (that’s okay, we understand!), it’s got a lot of uses and benefits that we want to share with you which might give you a change of heart! So, if you’re interested in learning more about this essential oil, in this blog post we will introduce you to the power of peppermint essential oil!
Peppermint is a great addition to your essential oil collection because of the many ways it can benefit both the body and mind. Peppermint as an herb is known to help with a wide range of physical health issues from digestive issues to soothing the stomach and relieving gas, bloating and nausea and its essential oil carries many of these benefits too.
Peppermint essential oil can also help relieve tension headaches and migraines by stimulating blood flow in the head while easing tension at the temples and is a great oil for aromatherapy! The menthol in peppermint can be a natural way to help relieve congestion and clear sinuses.
Peppermint oil’s power goes beyond just the physical - it’s an essential oil known for helping with mental clarity. Inhaling its cool, fresh scent naturally clears the mind of distractions which can help you concentrate and give you a little boost if you’re dealing with brain fog.
We’ll go over the benefits and uses of peppermint essential oil, as well as how to make it a part of your aromatherapy routine. We’ll also throw in a list of essential oils that work well with peppermint so you can add this wonderful oil to your next blend!
Essential oil safety: Peppermint oil is generally regarded as safe, but if you’re using it for the first time, it’s a good idea to do a patch test. Before trying any of our recommendations for topical application, apply some peppermint oil on a small section of your skin to see if there is any irritation.
Physical benefits of peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil is a natural analgesic, meaning that it can help relieve pain and discomfort. The main chemical in peppermint essential oil, menthol, has proven to be effective in treating headaches, particularly tension headaches and migraines - which some of us deal with weekly, if not daily.
In fact, we can use peppermint essential oil to soothe pain all over the body, not only for the head. Menthol also has anti-inflammatory properties which is why it is commonly featured in topical treatments for muscle aches and pains.
This makes peppermint essential oil a great, natural choice for those who suffer from chronic pain and inflammation. It can be applied to sore muscles and joints and even be used as a natural treatment to supplement traditional medicine for conditions like arthritis.
And if that’s not enough, peppermint essential oil can also help with irritating cold and allergy symptoms like a blocked nose or phlegmy throat. Its cool, fresh scent is soothing to breathe in when you’re feeling congested and can provide instant relief to the airways!
Mental/emotional benefits of peppermint essential oil
Not only does peppermint oil have some incredible physical benefits, it is also a popular essential oil when it comes to mental and emotional health.
Diffusing a little bit of peppermint essential oil or diluting it with a carrier oil and applying it to the body can help with depression and anxiety as it is known to be energising and uplifting.
While peppermint might not seem like your go-to for such conditions, you’d be surprised by its ability to boost motivation and energy levels if you’re feeling a bit stuck.
The scent of peppermint can also be used to promote focus and concentration during study, work or even other activities like yoga and meditation. While you might think of essential oils like frankincense and lavender when it comes to unwinding at the end of the day, peppermint can actually provide you with a peace of mind because it helps to clear the mind which can be hard after a busy day.
Finally, peppermint essential oil may also help us remember things better because it contains menthol, which has been shown to improve performance on memory tasks in some studies. Worth a try if you’ve got an exam or speech coming up!
How to use peppermint essential oil
Peppermint essential oil can be used in diffusers and topically for massages and is a great choice for beginning to seasoned aromatherapists. It's generally safe to use (although a patch test is always recommended).
Here are some ways to use Peppermint Essential Oil:
If you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed, add 2-5 drops of peppermint essential oil to 100mL water in your diffuser to relax the mind.
For tense muscles or sore joints, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to a carrier oil such as jojoba or almond oil before massaging into the muscles (but not onto broken skin). Use the same mixture to alleviate joint pain by applying directly into joints with massaging motions several times daily until the desired effect occurs (it works best if done while taking hot showers). This can also be used to relax and re-energise muscles after exercise. It also works wonders on dry feet!
For a quick fix for stress relief, add 1-2 drops to a cotton pad and sniff it on the go, whether you’re in the car, office or around the house.
For relief from headaches and migraines, mix a few drops of peppermint essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice and rub it gently on your temples and forehead (just make sure it doesn't get in your eyes)
To soothe nausea, indigestion and colds; ease tension headaches; clear sinusitis or nasal congestion or improve mood, add 3-5 drops to every 100mL of water to your diffuser and inhale the aroma of peppermint essential oil while lying down.
Peppermint essential oil can be used to treat colds or flu by inhaling it directly from the bottle or simply diffusing it with an essential oil diffuser. To avoid clogging your diffuser, a good water to essential oil ratio is no more than 6 drops per every 100mL of water.
Essential oils that work well with peppermint
Peppermint oil blends well with a variety of other oils. Use peppermint to create blends that will help you to relax or work on specific issues whether it be headaches, focus and concentration or congestion.
If you’re looking to create your own peppermint-based scent, here are some options to consider:
- Cinnamon is a spicy and sweet addition to the minty combo that will give your blend a comforting feel.
- Eucalyptus will add an earthy freshness to your fragrance, making it ideal for use during cold seasons.
- Sweet orange is a lovely complementary oil to peppermint and promotes relaxation with its gentle, citrusy aroma which smells like orange peels.
- Rosemary is another herbaceous scent that can be used alongside peppermint. Rosemary is also an anti-anxiety oil and is good for mental clarity and focus.
- Lavender is the go-to essential oil for relaxation and its mild floral aroma blends well with peppermint's refreshing note.
- Lemongrass has citrusy notes which complement the cool, soothing scent of peppermint— and is perfect for summertime!
Peppermint essential oil blend recipes
Pain, pain go away (for pain relief)
2 drops peppermint
2 drops lavender
1 drop rosemary
1 drop eucalyptus
Minty massage (for migraines and headaches)
3 drops peppermint
2 drops frankincense
2 drops lavender (or sub with lemongrass if you don’t like lavender!)
Cool breath (for better breathing)
3 drops peppermint
3 drops lemon
2 drops eucalyptus
Citrusss relief (anti-stress and anxiety)
3 drops peppermint
3 drops lemongrass
2 drops frankincense
2 drops sweet orange or mandarin
Phlegm remedy (for decongestion)
4 drops peppermint
2 drops eucalyptus
1 drop lavender (or rosemary)
1 drop mandarin
Minty mind spice (for concentration)
3 drops peppermint
3 drops cinnamon
1 drop rosemary
Conclusion
As you can see, peppermint essential oil can be used to promote physical, mental, and even emotional wellbeing. It is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a natural way to boost their overall health or for those looking specifically for relief from pain and other ailments.
Peppermint also blends well with many essential oils from the citrus and spice families to the woody and herb families. This makes it a versatile essential oil that can be enjoyed in all seasons and for all purposes. In addition to its physical and mental health benefits, peppermint is also a good staple essential oil to have on hand for DYI cleaning products which you can check out here.
If you are looking for an essential oil for the first time, peppermint might be a good choice to start with because it has so many uses!
