Peppermint

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Peppermint Essential Oil

peppermint

When it comes to gastrointestinal problems, peppermint essential oil is one of the best home remedies that exist. However, it does quite a bit more than just deal with indigestion, problems with the respiratory system, stomach pains and other gastrointestinal health. Peppermint makes use of menthol esters and is an effective treatment for other health conditions as well, not to mention all of the various industrial and culinary uses that it has. Peppermint is the child plant of water mint and spearmint and is considered by historians to be the oldest medicine in the world, having been used for thousands of years throughout its native land of Europe and all across the globe.

Peppermint Essential Oil Peppermint oil deals with indigestion, problems with the respiratory system, stomach pains and other gastrointestinal health. read reviews Peppermint Essential Oil

 How is Peppermint Essential Oil Manufactured?

When it comes to making peppermint essential oil, the same process that is used for most essential oils that are based on a plant is used. The steam distillation process of the species Mentha piperita is used to create the essential oil that has so many health applications. You always want to make sure that you check your bottle to determine that this species is the one used to make the essential oil if you want the best quality.

Types of Peppermint Essential Oil

As previously mentioned, the species that the best peppermint essential oil is made from is called Mentha piperita and it is used to create nearly all peppermint oil that is on the market today. However, there are companies that will try to substitute other species that are within the same family and while these essential oils are very similar (and often smell identical) they may not have the same health benefits as peppermint oil based on the genus species Mentha piperita.

How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil

There are lots of ways that you can use peppermint essential oil. This is one of the essential oils that are perfectly healthy to ingest in small amounts. It is also safe for topical application but it should be diluted or only a few drops of use because it is very strong. In addition, this is one of the best essential oils for aromatherapy and diffusion because it has such a strong fragrance – and there are very few people in the world that do not like the scent of peppermint.

Composition of Peppermint Essential Oil

The strong taste and smell of peppermint essential oil comes from two of the main ingredients and explains why it is such a popular scent to use in cooking, as well as in cough remedies, toothpastes and more. Menthol and menthone are found in those things, as well as in healing balms.  creams and countless other applications for peppermint essential oil. Here are the other components that can be found in Peppermint.

  • menthyl acetate
  • 1,8-cineole
  • Limonene
  • beta-pinene
  • beta-caryophyllene

Aromatic Description of Peppermint Essential Oil

When it comes to the Aromatic profile of peppermint essential oil, it probably isn’t necessary to describe. It is unlikely that there is anyone out there who is not been exposed to the scent of peppermint or menthol at some point in their life. However, when it comes to the essential oil itself, the scent is herbaceous as well as being hot and minty and it is definitely very strong. With the essential oil in particular you can tell that it is vegetation-based.

Precautions & Side Effects of Peppermint Essential Oil

There are some things that you want to keep in mind when it comes to peppermint essential oil particularly, as well as general precautions and instructions for handling essential oils in general. With peppermint, it is possible that it will cause an allergic reaction when used topically and some people have reported heartburn when ingesting it and headaches from use. Those with epilepsy women who are pregnant or nursing should not use peppermint essential oil and you should always dilute it because it is very strong. As always, keep away from your pets – especially cats because it is toxic because many essential oils are toxic to cats – and do not give to children without consulting your pediatrician first.

Attributes of Peppermint Essential Oil

Attribute X Definition
 analgesic X Reduces pain in muscles and joints
anti-arthritic Reduces arthritis symptoms
 anti-infectious Prevents infection
 anti-inflammatory Reduces inflammation
 antibiotic Keeps biotic infections from developing
 antidepressant Helps to alleviate depression
antiemetic Prevents nausea and vomiting
anti-galactogogue Reduces milk supply in the body
antifungal Kills harmful fungal life forms
antimicrobial Kills microbial life forms that cause disease
 anti-neuralgic Counteracts nerve pain
anti-rheumatic Counteracts pain from rheumatism
antiseborrhoeic Keeps the body from making an unhealthy amount of sebum
 antiseptic X Prevents growth of organisms which cause disease
 antispasmodic Prevents spasms from occurring
antiviral Kills viral agents
aperient Relieves constipation
aphrodisiac Increases sexual desires
astringent Causes skin tissue to contract – to counter lines and wrinkles
 bactericidal Kills bacterial agents
 carminative X Prevents formation of gas in the GI tract
 cholagogue Assists with the discharge of bile
 cicatrisant Assists in the formation of healthy scar tissue
circulatory Promotes healthy circulatory system function
diaphoretic Induces perspiration
decongestant Reduces or eliminates congestions of nasal cavities
deodorant Eliminates and prevents body odor
depurative Helps to detoxify the body
 Digestive X Helps with the digestion of food
diuretic Removes excess water from the body
expectorant X Loosens mucous and helps clear it from the body
 emenagogue X Promotes healthy menstrual discharge
 febrifuge X Aids in the reduction of fever
 hepatic Promotes healthy liver function
hypotensive Helps to lower blood pressure
Insecticide X Kills certain types of insects or pests
muscle relaxant Relaxes tight muscles and prevents muscle spasms
 nervine X Reduces anxiety and calms the nerves
 sedative X Aids in calming or induces sleepiness
stimulant X Increases physiological or nervous system activity
 stomachic X Aids in a healthy appetite or digestion
 sudorific Promotes or aids in activation of sweat glands
 tonic Tones the skin or muscles
 vermifuge X Kills parasitic worms
vulnerary Promotes rapid healing of wounds


What is Peppermint Essential Oil Primarily Used For?

Peppermint essential oil has all kinds of properties that are beneficial for the mind and body. The gastrointestinal system is one of the major recipients of these benefits. Peppermint oil is very good for indigestion and helps to remove excess gas from the intestines and can treat all sorts of stomach problems like nausea, vomiting and even motion sickness. There has been at least one study proving that the combination of peppermint and caraway oils is an effective treatment for heartburn. Peppermint essential oil can also cause the G.I. tract muscles to relax and even those who suffer from IBS may see a benefit from using peppermint essential oil.

Because of peppermint oil’s antiseptic properties it is one of the best oils to use to improve your dental health. It is an effective treatment for halitosis and helps kill harmful bacteria that may hurt your teeth and gums. This is why Peppermint is added to so many toothpastes. It is even used in hospitals and dental offices, after a surgery is performed, mixed in with the oxygen because it helps to reduce pain and inflammation. Peppermint essential oil is also unique in the fact that it is an effective treatment against nail fungus. This is a problem that affects a lot of people, but the treatments for it do not always work. There is actually been research conducted on the effectiveness of peppermint oil when it comes to nail fungal infections.

Peppermint essential oil is also really good for helping to control nausea and motion sickness and can even help to combat a headache without the side effects of analgesic pain medications like acetaminophen. Too much peppermint oil can give you a headache instead, so you want to be careful about how much you use.

Recommended Combinations Involving Peppermint Essential Oil

The Final Word on Peppermint Essential Oil

When it comes to essential oils, peppermint is definitely at the top of the list because of all the health benefits that it offers and the unique properties that only peppermint oil has. This is an essential oil that is used in a variety of medical and dental settings already, for pain relief and to treat a variety of conditions and prevent infection. It is definitely one of the best essential oils available on the market today and you should have it on hand and use it regularly.