Peppermint Essential Oil health benefits includes promoting healthy digestive system, relieving sore muscles, repelling bug, treating joint pains, relieving headaches, treating urinary tract infections, improving circulation, ensuring healthy skin, promoting health teeth, and relieving stress.
What is Peppermint Essential Oil?
The name peppermint essential oil pretty much sums up the appearance, taste, and aroma of this herb. It is a member of the mint family and has a spicy flavor. It has a fresh and invigorating aroma much like mint itself.
It is a hybrid generated from the watermint and the spearmint plants. It is native to Europe and is widely used for culinary purposes around the globe. The primary component of mint- menthol is extracted from its leaves and beautiful tiny purple flowers. The blooming period of this plant is from July onwards to August.
Peppermint oil is versatile, with multiple uses for food and topical application. Peppermint essential oil has a pleasant aroma and a cooling sensation. It has been a part of the ancient medical practices in China and Japan. It for mainly used to treat stomach issues and nausea.
The extraction of peppermint essential oil is done through the process of steam distillation. The oil is mostly extracted from the aerial parts of the plant. The most active ingredients in peppermint essential oil are menthone and menthol which lend it their antimicrobial properties.
It is one of the oldest herbs to be used by civilizations such as the Egyptians, and there are traces of peppermint found in the pyramids. It has been in use since 1000 B.C. In today’s world of science, the health and topical benefits of peppermint oil have been highlighted by many studies and solid research. Peppermint oil is an ingredient in many skin care products and medicine.
Peppermint Essential Oil has an impressive nutritional composition and contains many essential minerals and vitamins such as vitamin A and vitamin C, magnesium, potassium and even fatty acids. There are also minerals such calcium and folate found in peppermint which enhances the nutritional value of this herb.
In light of all of the above, we have tried to understand 11 ways that peppermint essential oil can benefit the human body and mind.
11 Health Benefits Of Peppermint Essential Oil
1. Healthy Digestive System
To ensure a healthy digestion, it is best to opt for naturally occurring carminatives and tonics. Peppermint oil is an excellent tonic that enhances appetite and also reduces the accumulation of gas in the intestinal cavity. A healthy digestive system ensures a healthy body. The carminative properties of peppermint oil help to eliminate the harmful abdominal gases in the body. Peppermint oil helps relax the muscles in the GI tract which relieves constipation. It has proven benefits in reducing nausea and vomiting. A few drops added to warm water or soothing night time teas can help with many digestive issues.
2. Relieves Sore Muscles
Peppermint oil is a natural antidepressant and muscle relaxant. It is beneficial in relieving sore muscles and muscle aches. It can be applied topically to relieve pain and symptoms of Fibromyalgia and is also effective in treating Myofascial pain syndrome. It has calming properties that soothe the mind along with muscles. It can be applied after a hot shower or added to baths for muscles relief.
3. Bug Repellent
Its scent can be attributed to the presence of menthol and other biochemicals which have been tested to repel bugs, cockroaches, and mosquitoes. You can always prepare a safe bug repellent with the use of peppermint oil as a base, although it can be applied directly to keep the bugs and mosquitoes away.
4. Joint Pain Treatment
Joint pains are often the result of inflammation in joints, and this can cause an unpleasant sensation in the joints. Peppermint oil has calming and healing properties that help soothe the inflammation in joints. It can be used for massaging the affected area and is sure to reduce extremity of the pain. It is used in herbal medicine for joint therapy.
5. Headache Relief
Peppermint is an excellent home remedy for a headache and minor migraines. It can be added to a carrier oil to apply to the forehead or temples to cure a headache. It has cooling and anti-inflammatory properties which calm the throbbing in your veins and also reduces a headache. Studies are showing the positive effects of peppermint oil application to patients suffering from migraines; it reduces the severity of the pain within 15minutes of application.
6. Urinary Tract Infections
One of the most common infections which affect both women and men, peppermint oil helps calm the condition, and continuous usage can relieve the symptoms completely. Topical application and oral consumption helps fight off the bacteria and protects the urinary tract from viruses. There is research underway for creating a topical and oral remedy for treating such infections.
7. Improved Circulation
Peppermint oil acts as a stimulant in the bloodstream which promotes a healthy circulation. Healthy blood circulation ensures that the organs are receiving proper oxygenation and protects the body from oxidative stress and ensure that the body is absorbing nutrients well. It has been observed that when a peppermint oil vapor touches the olfactory nerves, it results in an increased pulse rate, thus, promoting the flow of blood.
8. Healthy Skin
Peppermint oil is nutritious and also contains phytochemicals that enhance the appearance of skin while fighting off bacteria that cause breakouts or allergic reactions. Peppermint helps tighten the pores due to its cooling sensation and also calms inflammation in the skin. Peppermint oil is one of the most revered ingredients in skin care, especially for acne-prone skin.
9. Healthy Teeth
Peppermint essential oil has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that are useful in maintaining a healthy and bacteria free oral cavity. Peppermint oil is a much-used ingredient in toothpaste and is very useful in treating teeth and gum issues. Inhaling peppermint after oral surgeries also help reduce the chances of infection along with noticeable pain relief.
10. Stress Relief
Peppermint essential oil has relaxation properties like no other oil. It is a part of treating patients suffering from anxiety and depression. It is used in diffusers to help clear and calm the mind. Many companies use peppermint essential oil as their staple scent in stress relief candles, hand washes or body washes. It has also been observed to act as a stimulant for healthy brain activity which strengthens the mind against anxiety and depression.
11. Antispasmodic
Peppermint essential oil has antispasmodic properties which are the reason for its effectiveness in headaches, PMS, and surgeries. It is used in treating the aftereffects of gastro copy, colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema.
Bottom Line
Peppermint essential oil is one of the best natural medicines available to humankind. Many homemade remedies can be created using peppermint oil to reap its benefits including consuming it with hot water.