Peppermint

Peppermint (Mentha) essential oil is by far one of my favorites, it is almost as widely used as Lavender. I usually have multiple bottles in rotation at a time. I love smelling the fresh, sharp, crisp scent in the morning, taste in my tea, the cooling sometimes tingling sensation I feel on my skin, and the burst of energy it gives me.

Peppermint is apart of the mint family (Lamiaceae) and is native to Eurasia, North America, southern Africa, and Australia.

History…More than just a flavor of gum… Historically peppermint has been used to add flavor to foods, add flavor to sweets, and in many herbal medicines. There are documented uses of peppermint in Chinese and Japanese medicine also dried peppermint leaves have been found in the tombs of the pyramids of the Ancient Egyptian. There is even document uses from 1500 B.C and it is also mentioned in Greek mythology (story of the nymph). 

Benefits… Chemically peppermint essential oil is composed of Methol, Methone, Cineole, Menthyl acetate, Isovalerate, Pinene, Limonene, are only among some of the constituents noted. These constituents among others give the oil its active properties which work on a cellular level in our bodies. The most active constituents currently know in this group are Menthol and Menthone. Menthol is known for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects. Methone also has analgesic effects. The constituents also have antiseptic properties among many others.

Uses… The constituents of the peppermint plant make the essential oil very versatile in it’s uses. Today Peppermint essential oil is used as a dietary supplement, analgesic, anesthetic, stimulant, expectorant, decongestant… and other cosmetic, aromatherapy, and medicinal reasons.

Some use peppermint to aid with

-Irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, and other digestive issues, common cold (open up airway), headaches, rashes, reduce fevers, keep cool, muscle aches, itching, relax, back pain, spasms, increasing circulation, and many more.

I tend to reach for peppermint essential oil in the morning (sometimes I add to my tea or make my own peppermint mochas), add it to the wake-up blend to make the house fresh and crisp in the morning, in my PMS blend to help with cramping when my period is coming, apply before workouts- to help me feel cool and breath better, add it to my dogs flea spray, and its in my post workout blend to help keep my muscles from feeling too sore. It’s the oil I have on hand when I am studying, tired and need to wake up, sleepy and feeling congested, frustrated, happy, and even when I am in pain.

I have also used this to keep cool during the hot summer days. Creating a peppermint spray or roll-on blend can aid in keeping you cool when the air goes out, when the sun is highest, or when just needing a fresh outlook.

Although I love peppermint, we must remember, too much of anything is not good for you. Ingesting too much peppermint (and dark chocolate) can cause the sphincter in the stomach to relax which can cause heartburn, indigestion, or other GI symptoms.

I love using essential oils and herbal remedies to aid me in my daily living. I have seen and felt the change with my body and my families. It’s been one surprising discovery after another. I never knew the plants around up could transform our mind, body, and spirits in so many different tremendous ways. What I like most because everyone is different there are so many different possibilities the earth can aid us in staying balanced. If we are willing to try.

I hope to continue to share my explorations with you in the coming weeks as we stay together on our wellness journey.

Live and Be Well

Jasmine Hutchinson BSN, RN, PHN

ReachWellness oil blend store is now LIVE at www.Etsy.com/shop/ReachWellness

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR PLACES TO PURCHASE NATURAL, ORGANIC PRODUCTS OR ESSENTIAL OILS, CHECK OUT MY ORGANIC PRODUCTS PAGE FOR LINKS.

DISCLAIMER…THIS BLOG IS INTENDED SOLELY TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE TO HEALTH INFORMATION AND TO PROVIDE YOU WITH BASIC INFORMATION ABOUT THE SYMPTOMS, CAUTIONS, SAFETY CONCERNS, NATURAL REMEDIES, DIY RECIPES, AND NUTRITIONAL CONCERNS RELATED TO ALL ASPECTS OF HEALTH. THIS BLOG DOES NOT PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATION OF ALL ASPECTS OF ANY HEALTH CONDITION OR CONCERN OR EVEN THOSE ASPECTS THAT ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS BLOG. THIS BLOG IS NOT INTENDED TO BE–AND YOU SHOULD NOT USE IT AS–A SUBSTITUTE FOR MEDICAL ADVICE OR HEALTH CARE GIVEN BY A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER. BE SURE TO SEE A LICENSED HEALTH CARE PROVIDER TO HELP ENSURE YOUR HEALTH AND THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF YOUR FAMILY.

Articles:

https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health: Peppermint Oil 

Ford AC, Talley NJ, Spiegel BM, et al. Effect of fibre, antispasmodics, and peppermint oil in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis.BMJ. 2008;337:a2313.

McKay DL, Blumberg JB. A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.). Phytotherapy Research. 2006;20(8):619-633.