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Tip 6: Peppermint

I love the aroma of Peppermint; it feels fresh, crisp and clean to me.

Therapeutic properties: Tonic, cytophylactic, anti-infectious, antiseptic, decongestant, antibiotic, anti-fungal, antidepressant, anti-toxic, aphrodisiac, astringent, calmative, nervine, anti-inflammatory, to the nerves and the prostate.

Aromatherapy: Peppermint oil stimulates the mind, increasing the ability to focus and concentrate. When inhaled, it restores the sense of taste by stimulating the trigeminal nerve. Inhaling peppermint can curb your appetite. I like to inhale by just simply opening the bottle of Essential oil and taking 3 big whiffs. Other ways to inhale include; putting a drop on a cotton ball and setting it near you or in a fan or vent, putting a drop on your wrist and raising it up to take a whiff once in a while, putting a drop or two in a warm pan of water or putting a drop at the base of your nose (careful – peppermint will burn for a minute ‐ without diluting with a carrier oil). Use your imagination – to get it into the air or use a commercial diffuser. I like the ultra sonic diffuser because it is so easy to clean, has several settings and doesn’t use a lot of oil – just a few drops.

Dr. Dembar of the University of Cincinnati discovered in a research study that inhaling peppermint oil increased the mental accuracy of the students tested by up to 28%.

Asthma: Putting a drop of peppermint under the tongue has been known to stop an asthma attack. Vocal performers sometimes do this to clear mucus from their throats and stimulate their vocal cords.

Topical application: Peppermint oil should be diluted before applying externally to the skin. It is what I call a “hot oil”, it kind of burns on the skin if not diluted well. Sometimes I like that burning – it is a bit refreshing and cooling.

Cooling: To help you cool off put it on your forehead or the back of your neck. Be careful not to touch near your eyes with the same hand you used to apply the oil – it will hurt for a few minutes. If you do ever touch near your eyes – rub a little carrier oil (carrier oil is any oil like; olive, vegetable, almond, coconut etc.) on your skin where it hurts to dilute not water, water drives the pain in more.

Massage: Peppermint is good for stimulating circulation as a massage oil, but is too strong to be added to a bath. Peppermints anti-inflammatory properties make it a good choice for; muscle pain, inflamed joints, and arthritis. Did I say diluted?! This oil is wonderful, but be sure to dilute before applying for several reasons; economy (it conserves oil so it will last longer), it irritates your skin if not diluted, it covers better and has more receptors to receive the oil into your skin.

Colds, Flu, Bronchitis, Coughs: Peppermint eases congestion and fights infection. Peppermint can be diluted and put on the chest or neck to clear the nasal passages and sinus cavities. (Caution: putting peppermint on the neck of a small child would irritate the skin and could cause the child difficulty catching their breath.)

Digestion: Peppermint strengthens digestion and aides in the absorption of nutrients. It can be used to assist with bowel disorders, (just put about a dime size amount of carrier oil in your hand, add 1‐3 drops of Peppermint Essential oil and apply to your stomach or abdomen). Peppermint helps reduce cravings. It can enhance a sense of fullness.

Nausea: It is great for; nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, fainting and morning sickness (use small amounts; take a whiff or put a drop behind your ear). It can help mouth or gum infections. Place a drop on your toothbrush or dilute with water and
gargle. It makes a great breath freshener.

Fatigue: Peppermint can be like a rush of fresh energy to the system. It can revive, clear and energize a tired mind and ease mild depression. My favorite way to use Peppermint is to put a drop on a cotton ball and put it in the air vent in my car when I am traveling long trips. It helps to perk me up. It is great boost for mental and physical fatigue.

Headaches: Headaches are another way Peppermint is useful. I know several people who use the oils to assist with their migraines with Peppermint. They just dilute and apply to their forehead, temples, behind their ears and/or the back of their neck near the occipital. Be sure to take in a big breath or two of your hands after applying the oils with them.
This will give additional support through the olfactory sensors in your nose.

Nerve Regeneration: Peppermint can calm nerve pain. Putting some on the bottoms of tired feet can help relieve the pain. It can be helpful with nerve regeneration and is known to increase circulation.

Emotional/Spiritual: It allows us to relax instead of letting anxieties build up. Peppermint aids people who move between highs and lows and who suffer from ever widening mood swings because of its ability to help us ‘digest’ new ideas and
impressions.

General Cautions: Peppermint is stimulating in large amounts and soothing in small amounts (like lavender). Caution should be taken if pregnant – it is stimulating to the uterus ‐ use small amounts or Blends (like Inside-Out) which are safer. (Peppermint comes in Nurse kit and in Nausea and Indigestion Kit.)

*This information does not represent any implied or express warranties and has not been evaluated by the FDA. not intended to prescribe, diagnose, prevent or cure any disease or condition. “Le” denotes Butterfly express blend.