Turning the spotlight on Peppermint Oil
This oil is an absolute treasure and is so versatile with a multitude of uses. It's one I never go anywhere without. It's a bit like a medicine kit in a bottle. I'd planned to share my favourite use for this oil but I have a few favourite uses making it impossible to narrow down to just one. Instead I'll go with my top 3!
1. It is absolutely fantastic for an upset or unsettled stomach. It will settle an unhappy gurgly painful tummy in a very short space of time. For me, I've found it will ease the symptoms in 5-10 minutes and within 15-30 minutes, whatever is causing the upset has quietened down completely. Peppermint oil is now my first port of call for anything related to indigestion or stomach upset. 1-2 drops rubbed into your belly does the trick.
2. Pain - I've found it works really well for mild - moderate pain. I have a tendency to get headaches, sometimes migraines and I was incredibly surprised when I managed to ward off a migraine at work a couple of months ago. Usually I'm unable to function once the headache takes hold and while I can slow it down with medication, I usually have to sleep it off in a darkened room.
On this particular day, I didn't have any pain meds with me and I had a huge day with deadlines to meet. Work colleagues had noticed I was becoming glassy eyed and recognised I had a headache but I was trying to complete the reports that needed doing.
I was starting to feel really doughy and was almost at the stage where I needed to lie down when I remembered I had peppermint oil with me. I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try when I had nothing else helpful with me. I gently massaged a drop into my temples and one across my forehead. Had I been thinking clearly, I'd also have rubbed one into the back of my neck.
While it didn't completely get rid of the headache, I was very surprised by the fact it eased the headache to the point where I could function enough to complete the work I had to do. I still left early that day, but I've never been able to function before with that type of headache so it was a very welcome surprise.
I've occasionally woken with headaches and this brings me to the next favourite use.
3. Add a drop to your hair conditioner when washing your hair. Not only does it smell great, it's uplifting and if you have one of those niggly headaches, it helps to move it along before your day gets underway.
Other uses for this wonderful oil include adding a few drops to a spray bottle of water and mist your body when overheated. You can also use the spray bottle to deter pests such as ants, spiders, aphids, plant lice and cockroaches.
A drop of peppermint and a drop of wild orange in the palm of your hands rubbed together and inhaled makes a wonderful pick-me-up during the day.
Diffuse or inhale peppermint oil to help clear the nasal passages.
Diffusing 3 drops of peppermint and 3 drops of lemon can help increase focus and alertness when you're feeling fatigued or low on energy. Wild orange also makes a beautiful addition to that blend.
You can even cook with it! Peppermint is especially delicious with brownies and you only need to add 1-2 drops.
Did you know that 1 drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to around 28 cups of tea?
Essential oils are incredibly potent so you may find when using them topically that you need to use them in a carrier oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.
There are many uses for peppermint oil and I've only covered a few of the more common ones. If you're only interested in having a couple of oils in your household, then this is one I'd wholeheartedly recommend.
1. It is absolutely fantastic for an upset or unsettled stomach. It will settle an unhappy gurgly painful tummy in a very short space of time. For me, I've found it will ease the symptoms in 5-10 minutes and within 15-30 minutes, whatever is causing the upset has quietened down completely. Peppermint oil is now my first port of call for anything related to indigestion or stomach upset. 1-2 drops rubbed into your belly does the trick.
2. Pain - I've found it works really well for mild - moderate pain. I have a tendency to get headaches, sometimes migraines and I was incredibly surprised when I managed to ward off a migraine at work a couple of months ago. Usually I'm unable to function once the headache takes hold and while I can slow it down with medication, I usually have to sleep it off in a darkened room.
On this particular day, I didn't have any pain meds with me and I had a huge day with deadlines to meet. Work colleagues had noticed I was becoming glassy eyed and recognised I had a headache but I was trying to complete the reports that needed doing.
I was starting to feel really doughy and was almost at the stage where I needed to lie down when I remembered I had peppermint oil with me. I figured it couldn't hurt to give it a try when I had nothing else helpful with me. I gently massaged a drop into my temples and one across my forehead. Had I been thinking clearly, I'd also have rubbed one into the back of my neck.
While it didn't completely get rid of the headache, I was very surprised by the fact it eased the headache to the point where I could function enough to complete the work I had to do. I still left early that day, but I've never been able to function before with that type of headache so it was a very welcome surprise.
I've occasionally woken with headaches and this brings me to the next favourite use.
3. Add a drop to your hair conditioner when washing your hair. Not only does it smell great, it's uplifting and if you have one of those niggly headaches, it helps to move it along before your day gets underway.
Other uses for this wonderful oil include adding a few drops to a spray bottle of water and mist your body when overheated. You can also use the spray bottle to deter pests such as ants, spiders, aphids, plant lice and cockroaches.
A drop of peppermint and a drop of wild orange in the palm of your hands rubbed together and inhaled makes a wonderful pick-me-up during the day.
Diffuse or inhale peppermint oil to help clear the nasal passages.
Diffusing 3 drops of peppermint and 3 drops of lemon can help increase focus and alertness when you're feeling fatigued or low on energy. Wild orange also makes a beautiful addition to that blend.
You can even cook with it! Peppermint is especially delicious with brownies and you only need to add 1-2 drops.
Did you know that 1 drop of peppermint oil is equivalent to around 28 cups of tea?
Essential oils are incredibly potent so you may find when using them topically that you need to use them in a carrier oil, especially if you have sensitive skin.
There are many uses for peppermint oil and I've only covered a few of the more common ones. If you're only interested in having a couple of oils in your household, then this is one I'd wholeheartedly recommend.
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