In case you missed it, last week we talked about the lovely essential oil of Lavender, this week we will focus on Peppermint essential oil, also known as Mentha Piperita!
Along with a few others, Peppermint essential oil is one of the most commonly used essential oils. In part, that is due to it’s amazing abilities to get rid of headaches and it’s incredible usefulness in repelling bugs.
Peppermint is native of the Mediterranean, but was brought to North America in the early 19th century. Nowadays however, the US is considered to be the world’s largest producer of Peppermint.
This particular herb, has many different species, and Mentha Piperita is a hybrid of Watermint (Mentha aquatic) and Spearmint (Mentha spicata).
Precautions: Neurotoxic in high doses, and there’s a low risk of being a mucus membrane irritant. Avoid on people with cardiac fibrillations. Do not apply on or near the face of infants and young children. Can counteract some homeopathic remedies.
Back in the times of the Romans, this herb was commonly used for digestive problems, as well as used to make garlands to be worn during Roman feasts. It has also been used extensively in Western and Eastern medicine practices for issues such as cramps, toothaches, indigestion, headaches and nausea.
Peppermint oil has been cultivated since ancient times in Japan and China.
Peppermint essential oil has many different uses, most of them aiding the skin, muscular and skeletal systems as well as the respiratory system. Many of you likely know, how useful peppermint is in aiding skin inflammation and irritation, as well as dermatitis, but did you know it can also be used to treat insect bites and stings as well as bruises?
This powerful oil is also an amazing expectorant and great for combating hay fever.
Some of my personal favorite uses for this oil are relieving muscular aches and pains, helping to naturally lower fevers and helping to combat travel sickness. But let’s not forget that it can also be very useful for stimulating the lympathic system and the liver, improving circulation, calming nausea and giving us a pleasant boost of energy when needed. And to think that there are countless other uses for this oil! Peppermint is truly amazing, and it’s no wonder that it’s such a commonly used oil!
What are some of your favorite uses for this essential oil?
Don’t forget to check back again next time, when we will talk all about one of my personal favorites!