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Peppermint Essential Oil Uses
Posted in Essential Oil Basics by Rocky Mountain Oils

Peppermint Essential Oil Uses

All of the mints are closely related and they combine very easily, which is why there are so many varieties of mint. In fact, Peppermint is now classified as a hybrid. It is the child of Spearmint breeding with Watermint and benefits greatly from the combining of both. Peppermint oil (Mentha piperita) has a sharp, energetic, minty herbal scent to it that clears the air in the room and makes you breathe deep.

Combines Well With

Lavender, Rosemary, Eucalyptus radiata, Eucalyptus globulus, Eucalyptus citriodora, Lemon, Lime, Orange, Sweet Marjoram, Spearmint, Wintergreen, Tangerine, Grapefruit, Roman Chamomile, German Chamomile

About Peppermint

  • G.R.A.S.
  • Not considered compatible with homeopathic treatments but works great in aromatherapy treatments.
  • Sharpens mind, increases concentration and memory.
  • Relieves headaches and migraines.
  • Helps treat symptoms of muscle and joint pain.
  • Reduces inflammation and swelling.
  • Stimulates and strengthens circulation.
  • Helps with heartburn, indigestion, and nausea.
  • Revives energy.
  • Works great in a diffuser for any sort of respiratory issues. Can be combined with any of the citrus ones as well.
  • Interchangeable with Spearmint. You can use whichever of the two has the scent you want the most in the blend.

Peppermint Essential Oil Uses

  • Add 2 drops to your dishwasher to help purify and disinfect.
  • Can add 1-2 drops to chocolate icing before icing a cake, to add an extra bit of fun.
  • Add 1 drop of Peppermint and 2 drops Orange to 24 ounces of water to help assist an upset stomach.
  • Diffuse a few drops each of Peppermint and Grapefruit to lift depression.
  • Add 1-2 drops to your lemonade for added zest.
  • Take a deep breath of the scent to ease morning sickness and travel nausea.
  • Add 2 drops to a 1/2 cup of water for a mouthwash. Can also add 4 drops Lemon.
  • A poultice to cool off a sunburn, 2-3 drops Peppermint added to 1/4 cup Honey.
  • To reduce pain of sprains or strain, use a cold compress with 2 drops Peppermint and 2 drops Yarrow.
  • Add 1 drop to your bottle of water to freshen your breath and add some zing to your drink.
  • For a soothing hand bath, add 1 drop Peppermint and 4 drops Lavender to a bowl of warm water. Immerse hands for 5 minutes.
  • Massage 1 drop into each temple to help get rid of headaches. Or just inhale the scent deeply. Can also add Lavender.
  • Be careful when using in a bath or as a massage oil if you have sensitive skin. Test it out on a quarter-sized bit of skin for a few hours first.

Recipes

Here are a few recipes involving Peppermint oil. To check for more, you can click on Peppermint in the tagged section at the end of the article. That will show you all articles mentioning it. *Please note: With any recipe's involving bath or massage blends, always test on a small part of your skin first before using all over your body. Be sure your skin can handle the blend before being covered in it. Peppermint in particular can burn on sensitive skin so be mindful.

Improve Poor Concentration

Vaporize in a room. Or add to a diffuser.

Itch-Relief

  • 1 cup Green Bentonite Clay
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons Sea Salt
  • Witch Hazel
  • Peppermint oil

Make a creamy paste with the clay and witch hazel. Add salt and several drops Peppermint oil. The paste should smell strong and feel cooling to the skin. Spread paste directly on the affected area and leave on until completely dry. To rinse off, soak a washcloth in witch hazel or water and rub gently. Don't scrub skin or you'll aggravate the itching. Store in glass container with tight fitting lid. If it dries out, reconstitute by adding water.

Wake-Up Body Rub

  • 1 small container plain, live culture yogurt
  • 3 sprigs fresh Peppermint
  • 1 tablespoon Lavender buds
  • 1 drop Peppermint oil
  • 1 cup ground rice

Mix yogurt and fresh mint and lavender buds together in a blender for 3 seconds, then refrigerate for 24 hours. Stir in ground rice and Peppermint oil. Rub entire amount of mixture all over your body by hand or with a loofah, concentrating on rough skin areas. Shower off. Moisturize skin as usual.

Sunburn Pain Remedy

  • 6 drops Lavender
  • 4 drops Peppermint
  • 3 ounces Aloe Vera juice
  • 5 ounces mineral water

Add to a fine mist, 8 ounce spray bottle. Shake well before every use. Spray on affected area.

Ease Fatigue Bath

  • 2 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Myrtle
  • 1 tablespoon F.C.O.
  • 1 cup Sea Salt

Dissolve oils into salts before adding to a hot/warm bath. Relax in bath for 20-30 minutes.

Soothe Aching Painful Muscles

  • 2 drops Peppermint
  • 4 drops Rosemary
  • 1 drop Spruce
  • 1 tablespoon F.C.O.

Apply blend to affected area at least once a day.

 Ease a Headache Massage

  • 3 drops Peppermint
  • 3 drops Sweet Marjoram
  • 1 drop Lavender
  • 1 tablespoon F.C.O.

Massage formula into neck and shoulders. Can also be added to a warm bath.

Other suggestions

Here is what our RMO family members have to say about Peppermint oil on Facebook:

  • "Fuzzy brain, tummy troubles, headaches, sinus stuff."
  • "On a surgical mask before performing gooey wound care :) I also put Peppermint in my brownies at Christmas."
  • "Not currently using as I'm breastfeeding & all herbs in the mint family can dry up your milk BUT I too love it! Especially mixed with lavender."
  • "For clients with sore muscles!"
  • "We use it for all manner of tummy issues."
  • "A drop or two in my coffee."
  • " I like to use it at night during cold and flu season. I will inhale it and Ravintsara really deeply a couple of times every night. It has helped me avoid bronchitis and pneumonia better than anything else I've ever tried."
  • "I like to add a drop or two to my hot chocolate right before drinking it. I'll also add a couple of drops to the glaze I put on my chocolate bundt cake."
  • "As a homeopathic practitioner, I never use it. It negates homeopathic remedies. I think it is safe to say that some people are more inclined to have their remedies antidoted by mint than others. I myself am highly sensitive to this effect and have had remedies antidoted by careless users of mint on a few occasions."
  • "I use about 4 drops on the shower floor every morning before getting in to help wake me up. And of course Peppermint along with Lavender for headaches -- works like a charm."
  • "A couple of drops in chocolate cookie dough or fudge, also coffee with cream. And I put it in my lotion bars, with cocoa butter of course. :) "
  • "Reduced swelling following knee surgery for my wife. Cool."
  • "I put a drop of it in my green tea add a little Stevia and it's delicious! Kids love it too!"

And finally,

How do you like to use Peppermint oil? What ways do you like to refresh yourself? Please let us know in the comment section down below. Disclaimer: Rocky Mountain Oils is not liable for any damage caused by use of these recipes. Each recipe was tested by employees of RMO and did not cause damage to home or person, but we still implore our customers to use caution before trying a recipe in their home. Test recipes on small areas before applying them to the entire surface and do not apply recipes to areas that are potentially sensitive (i.e. priceless Victorian tubs, Baby Grand pianos, etc.).