Feeling anxious? Swap your triple espresso with a soothing cup of peppermint tea.
Feeling tired? Dilute a few drops of peppermint oil and indulge your senses in a therapeutic massage. Bad breath impacting your self-confidence? Take a peppermint oil supplement to refresh your breath. Peppermint seems to have a solution for every problem in this pandemic!
This versatile herb packs in several medicinal properties for overall well-being. But how did it become so popular online? Let’s explore the uses and benefits of peppermint oil and understand the science behind its refreshing scent and crisp flavour.
Different Forms of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is used in a variety of forms for different uses.
- As an essential oil, diluted peppermint can be used for a calming aromatherapy.
- The cool and refreshing scent of peppermint extract is used in toothpaste, mouthwashes and peppermint-flavoured chewing gums.
- The active compounds of peppermint oil – menthone and menthol are used in dietary supplements formulated for tackling nausea and indigestion.
- Peppermint oil is topically applied for soothing headaches, sore muscles and irritated skin
- Peppermint oil’s pleasing scent is also added to cosmetic products and cleansing soaps
Potential Benefits of Peppermint Oil
Records of usage of peppermint oil for medicinal purposes date back to the ancient times of Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations. Today, this versatile herb has become a popular ingredient in most personal care products and dietary supplements available online. However, the potential benefits are purely based on public reviews of peppermint oil capsules, and research is ongoing to determine the benefits of peppermint oil.
1. Induces Calming Effects
Some animal studies have demonstrated that peppermint has a loosening impact on the GI tract and it has the ability to soothe an upset stomach. Peppermint has also shown to ease the symptoms of IBS like pain, discomfort, loose bowels and stoppage. Menthol the active ingredient in peppermint oil has also appeared to help with acid reflux and is widely used in over-the-counter medicines.
2. Offers Relief from Discomfort
The menthol in peppermint is also believed to assist with alleviating headaches triggered by stress and poor dietary patterns. Peppermint oil supplements are said to have the ability to open up the veins that are confined by cerebral pains. This is why people prefer peppermint tea when they suffer from frequent headaches.
3. Boosts the Body’s Natural Defences
Peppermint is perceived to have anti-infection qualities that may be helpful in averting the side-effects of common cold due to menthol’s capacity to distribute body fluids evenly and inhibit their expansion in the throat and sinuses for improved breathing.
4. Fresh and Pleasing Breath
Peppermint oil capsules are formulated specifically to address bad breath issues resulting from indigestion. Naturally potent, peppermint holds antibacterial properties that can help target germs in the mouth and refresh your breath before you go on a date or attend an important meeting with clients.
At times, foul odours may also occur from an upset stomach and unlike gums and mouthwashes that are a quick fix, peppermint oil capsules target the root cause of bad breath which is often poor digestion and bad bacteria. Regular supplementation can eliminate the cause of unpleasant odours and restore your confidence to socialize.
Popular Peppermint Oil Home Remedies
- Inhaling peppermint oil helps suppress the nauseous feeling during long road trips.
- Peppermint oil can be used to soothe an upset stomach. Mix it with a carrier oil and apply it on the abdomen while gently massaging it in a circular pattern.
- To cope with cold or congestion, you can add a few drops of peppermint oil to your humidifier.
- Prepare an invigorating chest rub my melting beeswax, shea butter, and coconut oil in equal quantities and adding a few drops of peppermint oil to the mix.
- Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil mixed with a carrier oil on the temples or sinus can help alleviate a stress-induced headache.
- When you are feeling stressed or anxious, adding a few drops of peppermint oil to an olive oil candle will provide comfort and enhance your alertness.
- Adding peppermint oil and lavender oil to a carrier oil and applying it can help soothe skin irritation caused by itchy bug bites.
- Adding a few drops of peppermint oil to a relaxing Epsom salt foot soak can help with tired, achy and worn feet.
- Applying a small amount of peppermint oil onto the insides of your wrists can help cope with motion sickness.
- Peppermint oil can also be added to warm water for creating a rejuvenating bath that helps cope with tiredness and fatigue.
- Peppermint oil mixed with a carrier oil can also be applied to bruises and bumps to help ease the pain and swelling to a considerable extent.
- Peppermint oil can also be added to homemade oils and shampoos for tackling the problem of persistent dandruff.
- Mixing peppermint oil with a carrier oil and applying it on the stomach may also be helpful for soothing menstrual cramps
- Inhaling peppermint oil before an exam or while studying is believed to boost brain function and enhance focus.
- To soothe a skin rash, mix a few drops of peppermint oil with coconut oil and apply it to the affected area.
- Cooling peppermint oil may also help cope with hot flashes. Simply add a few drops of peppermint oil to a spray bottle filled with cold water and spritz on your body as and when needed.
- Peppermint oil is also added to moisturizing body and foot creams as it helps deodorize.
Key Takeaways
Peppermint oil is extracted from the peppermint plant and it is widely used for tackling GI discomfort, nausea, stomach cramps, and bad breath. While most of the claimed benefits of peppermint oil come from reviews, animal studies and anecdotal reports, research studies suggest that peppermint oil may be helpful in addressing IBS, digestive discomfort, bad breath and pain.
Ideally, peppermint oil is safe but it can be toxic when ingested in a large amount. So, instead of resorting to home remedies where you may not be sure of the dosage and usage, you can always rely on premium-quality GMP-approved peppermint oil capsules that are specifically formulated with a recommended dosage and safe strength.
And if you use peppermint oil topically, check its purity and always dilute it using a skin-friendly carrier oil like coconut or almond oil. If you are unsure about using peppermint oil, you can consult your doctor before purchasing peppermint oil or supplements online.
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