18 Benefits and Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil

Essential oils are such a wonderful natural plant-based healing source that provides an enormous amount of mental and physical benefits. As a collective, these oils may be favorable in curing just about any wellbeing obstacle, the one that will be highlighted today is none other than Peppermint Essential Oil.

Peppermint Essential Oil is a spearheading, all-natural health and wellness resource that is derived from the peppermint plant. Containing 40 different strains and dating back to being used in ancient times, this is one of Mother Nature's finest inventions. Though it is most commonly used for its refreshing, calming qualities, the actual full list of capabilities it features makes it so intriguing.

1 - Relieves Muscle Pain

Muscle pains, aches, tension, and soreness, Peppermint Essential Oil can ease that burden and promote a more relaxed muscle state. This is due to the well-known element found in this natural remedy called menthol. Menthol has a cooling effect on sore, achy muscles, and along with being an analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory, it makes for a perfect muscle pain solution.

2 - Relieves Inflammation

As noted above, Peppermint Essential Oil is a monumental anti-inflammatory resource that is able to support getting muscles back to relaxation. As excellent as that may be, these anti-inflammation features also are able to help those with chronic conditions like arthritis in being able to live a much more quality-driven life with reduced joint pain and stiffness. To obtain this benefit, the oil can be directly applied with a carrier oil to the affected area for instant relief.

3 - Fights Respiratory Conditions

Peppermint Essential Oil is popular for its cooling scent that can support the airways in opening up to make breathing much more seamless. Those with a cold or flu can take advantage of being able to experience the muscle relaxation effects within the windpipe this oil provides and feel much more comfortable during the recovery process.

Fun Fact: Peppermint Essential Oil can also ease people who have coughs by relaxing the bronchial muscles.

4 - Increases Energy

Another reason, and one of the more common selling points of Peppermint Essential Oil, is its ability to improve energy levels. Research has shown that peppermint oil can decrease feelings of fatigue, improve lethargic minds, and catapult productivity by sharpening focus. This is also a prime reason why so many people leverage Peppermint Essential Oil before working out. In addition, due to its ability to relax airway muscles, it makes it easier to have the necessary ventilation and brain oxygen to concentrate on both physical and mental tasks at hand.

5 - Cures Skin Infections

Being the antifungal, antiseptic, and antibacterial agent that it is, Peppermint Essential Oil is able to fight and even cure skin infections better than many over the counter treatments. Not only will it kill off any airborne bacteria and viruses that could be lingering in the wound, removing those harmful elements allows the body to repair faster overall. Just make sure that before applying, the oil is diluted to avoid skin irritation concerns.

6 - Reduces Stress

Stress is a common reality that millions of people face on a daily basis. Though mental training and adopting stress coping mechanisms are what will help build the resilience to face them in a positive light, know that Peppermint Essential Oil can be a useful tool during that goal as well. Peppermint Essential Oil contains a very therapeutic aroma, which has been linked to increasing memory, alertness, mental processing speeds, and helps support surfacing a more relaxed mindset.

7 - The Ideal Mood Booster

In conjunction with reducing stress and anxiety, as listed above, Peppermint Essential Oil can also boost one's mood at the same time. Between the energy level benefits, improving focus, alertness, and overall aromatherapy properties that cure feelings of irritability, it all equates to being the ideal mood booster. Those who utilize this oil feel much more at peace, happy, tranquil, and are more confident to take on each day because they know they are operating at their fullest potential.

8 - Combats Digestive Problems

Whether it be IBS, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, or any other related digestive problem, Peppermint Essential Oil can support and improve one's quality of life in this area. Peppermint Essential Oil has been proven in studies and trials to relax/soothe muscles in the GI tract to make a person more regular. It also provides an anti-inflammatory effect to decrease GI pain from things such as functional dyspepsia.

9 - Profound Circulatory Benefits

Due to the high levels of menthol in Peppermint Essential Oil, this natural resource can promote advanced blood flow in the areas of the body that it is applied to. To solidify the confidence in this statement, there was a study in Microvascular Research that found Peppermint Essential Oil with a 4% menthol solution was able to widen blood vessels and increase blood flow. This means those who use it are able to have better hair growth (which will be covered later on this list) and better skin complexion.

10 - Strong Urogenital Decongestant

Due to the soothing, cooling scent, Peppermint Essential Oil is a promising decongestant that is able to ease congestion and open airways. It is proven to unblock stuffy noses, support sinus drainage, and yes, relieve congestion for urogenital diseases. Those facing things like UTIs, pain in the pelvic or groin area, or urinating discomfort can reduce those negative effects with Peppermint Essential Oil. A 2018 clinical research study on postpartum women found that peppermint oil can encourage urination when both places in the toilet water and used as a vapor.

11 - Remediates Lice Problems

For those who are subjected to head lice can also have the confidence that Peppermint Essential Oil can act as a shield. Backed by research, peppermint oil, along with over 50 other essential oils, may not have the ability to kill lice already on the head, but it is proven to repel them from ever making it to one's hair in the first place. As anyone knows, stopping lice from being a problem is a better effort to take on than trying to control the damage after it is done.

Fun Fact: Tea Tree Oil is the only essential oil able to actually kill lice on impact.

12 - All-Natural Insect Repellent

Peppermint Essential Oil does more than just repel head lice; it is also a reputable insect repellent in general. Using a few drops of this oil on exposed skin while outside can naturally deter insects from swarming around and trying to bite. This is ideal because those heading outside can protect themselves in the best possible way without being in contact with the harsh chemicals of commercial repellents.

13 - Odor Control

If there is one thing for sure, Peppermint Essential Oil smells invigorating. The soothing, favorable scent is one that is exceptionally pleasant, making it a beautiful odor controller. By putting a few drops of this oil at the bottom of your garbage can will help protrude a much nicer aroma, all while deterring pests like mice, ants, and spiders along the way.

14 - Reduces Headaches

"Peppermint oil is one of the key essential oils that have been proven to help with headaches." - Dr. Sara Crystal, MD, neurologist and headache specialist. The reason why it is so powerful at relieving headache pain is due to the active ingredient menthol found in the oil. Menthol is known to provide pain relief through the central and peripheral nervous system by decreasing the pain fibers with its cooling effects.

15 - Improves Oral Health

Believe it or not, Peppermint Essential Oil is known for its potent cooling and numbing features, which means it works wonders for soothing toothaches. In addition to this, research has also discovered that Peppermint Essential Oil is also powerful at fighting oral pathogens and is able to kill off the common bacteria in the mouth that often leads to cavities and gum disease.

16 - Excellent for Nail Care

Give nails the care they deserve. Peppermint Essential Oil is an excellent natural nail care and cuticle oil resource to improve the health and growth of nails. This is because peppermint is a natural antifungal and lubricant to advance the health of nails as a whole. In addition, those who leverage this are much less likely to encounter nail breakage and fungal infections.

Tip: Either apply it alone or dilute it with a base such as grape seed oil.

17 - Stimulates Hair Growth

Those looking to strengthen and advance their hair growth can have the peace of mind knowing that Peppermint Essential Oil can handle this task as well. This all-natural resource is able to penetrate beyond the scalp and into the hair follicles to facilitate blood circulation. This then becomes the catalyst for hair to grow stronger, healthier, and much more voluptuous.

Fun Fact: Peppermint Essential Oil is also fantastic for moisturizing the scalp to eliminate dandruff.

18 - Reduces Nausea

Finally, Peppermint Essential Oil is a respected natural agent that can fight against feelings of nausea and even motion sickness. Several studies found that inhaling the peppermint scent can reduce the levels of nausea quickly, enabling improved life quality. Furthermore, those with digestive problems can also face feelings of uneasiness. But as noted above, Peppermint Essential Oil is perfect at relieving that too, making it a great several angled resource to fight against nausea.

Conclusion - The Ultimate Multi-Purposed Remedy

In summary, Peppermint Essential Oil is nothing shy of incredible. No matter what someone may be facing, there is a substantial chance that this multi-purposed remedy has the ability to fight and cure it in the best, most natural way possible. From muscle relaxation, reducing physical and mental tension, elevating mood/productivity, to much more, take advantage of Peppermint Essential Oil, and become subjected to one of the world's most resourceful oils that is proven to advance all-around life quality.

Written by Amber Dean