7 Uses and Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint essential oil can be refreshing and invigorating - plus, it makes everywhere smell like Christmas (in a cooling way).

But away from its soothing minty appeal, there are many uses and benefits of peppermint essential oil. This fragrant oil can serve in countless ways, from making your home smell amazing to easing nasal congestion and alleviating headaches with products like the MOXĒ Breathe Aromatherapy Inhaler. 

Peppermint essential oil is a must-have for anyone looking to make their day-to-day lives more natural, healthy, and enjoyable.

In this post, we'll go over some favorite uses and benefits of peppermint oil and common ways to apply the fragrant natural extract into your everyday life.

1. Relieves Joint and Muscle Pain

Peppermint essential oil can help relieve pain and relax the muscle. According to studies, essential oils may be applied topically for pain caused by myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia.

Research authors have reported analgesic effects with peppermint (and other herbal applications like menthol, eucalyptus and capsaicin) when used for topical purposes. You can test this by applying two to three drops of peppermint essential oil on achey spots of your body or immerse yourself in a warm water bath and add a few drops of peppermint oil in addition to Epsom salt.

Combining peppermint oil and lavender oil is also an excellent blend for muscle pain and body relaxation. Here's a more detailed guide on using essential oils for pain and inflammation.

2. Energy and Performance Booster

While it may sound unbelievable, a few whiffs of peppermint essence can be a more natural, non-toxic alternative to energy drinks. Diffusing this oil in your home, car, office and even on your linens can help you stay energetic – from making breakfast, picking up the kids at school, or making dinner - peppermint essential oil has got your back! 

It doesn't only helpimprove your physical alertness and performance, inhaling peppermintcan evenboost your memory.

Whether you need some motivation to get up and workout (we know the struggle!) or just a little extra push to help complete your daunting list of house chores, peppermint is a recommended all-natural go-to.

3. Headache Relief

Another massive benefit of Peppermint EO is its ability to combat headaches and provide relief. Experts say it improves blood circulation, relaxes tense muscles and soothes the guts, all of which causes migraine and tension headaches. For many of these reasons, peppermint has recurrently made the list of best essential oils for headaches.

A clinical trial found that using a combination of eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil had pain relieving effects.  

The next time you have a pesky headache, simply massage 2 to 3 drops of peppermint oil onto your forehead, temples, and behind the neck. If you are looking for a high-grade essential oil to combat headaches then we highly recommend MOXĒ Migraine Relief Aromatherapy Inhaler.

4. Respiratory Relief

If you are experiencing an itchy throat or a cough that will not subside, the aroma of peppermint oil from a diffuser, inhaler or even aromatherapy shower spray can help to clear out mucus in your airways and reduce congestion.  

Laboratory trials revealed that peppermint oil contains antiviral, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, which suggest it may battle against infections that trigger symptoms associated with respiratory tract issues.

A simple peppermint and eucalyptus oil blend combined with a carrier oils can make an effective DIY vapor rub. Also, consider using an aromatherapy shower spray to promote clear breathing. The Breathe Aromatherapy Shower Spray acts as a natural diffuser when the essential oils combine with the steam from your shower, helping to combat congestion and relieve sinuses.  

5. Boost Oral Health 

Peppermint essential oil has a long history of being used as a natural solution to bad breath. Modern researchers trace this possibility to the oil's ability to disrupt the activities of fungus and bacteria.

A study revealed that peppermint oil, when used with thyme and tea tree essential oils, showed some antimicrobial potentials against a range of oral pathogens.

You can boost you oral health with peppermint essential oil by simply adding one drop to your regular toothpaste or place a drop beneath your tongue, swish with water, and spit the solution out into the sink.

Voilà! Your mouth is minty fresh!

6. Hair Growth

Many premium hair care products share the common ingredient of peppermint oil as it contains properties that leave your hair feeling nourished and thicker. It also serves as an organic solution for thinning hair. The oil has been known to better stimulate the hair scalp resulting in improved hair growth.

Not only can peppermint benefit hair growth, it also contains potent antiseptic properties that can remove germ build-up on your hair and scalp. For this reason, it is a common ingredient in anti-dandruff hair applications.

To use peppermint essential oil for hair growth, try adding 2 to 3 drops  into your conditioner or shampoo for improved hair nourishment and growth.

7. All-Natural Insect Repellent 

We love the soothing aroma of this minty extract, but this aroma to many little critters (including cockroaches, spiders, ants, mosquitoes, ticks and even lice) can't stand a whiff of it. Making peppermint essential oil a primary ingredient in all-natural insect repellents. 

Further research has discovered that topical application of 0.1 mL peppermint oil caused 150 minutes of total protection against insects, especially mosquitoes. After this timeframe, the effectiveness waned gradually.

Here at MOXĒ, we've created an all-natural insect repellent containing the key ingredient peppermint essential oil, as well as the essential oils of rosemary, citronella, geranium, cedarwood, and lemongrass. 

Common Ways to Enjoy the Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil 

One exciting thing about essential oils is their flexible delivery methods. Among the various plant-based oils, peppermint essential oil is safe for external and internal uses as long as the oil you purchase is food-grade or approved for topical-use.

Let's explore some easy and effective ways to infuse peppermint essential oil into your daily wellness routine:

Diffuse

Adding drops of pure natural peppermint essential oil in your diffuser can release a minty, refreshing and energizing scent, delivering several therapeutic potentials. 

Culinary

Food-grade peppermint essential oil is a favorite for many looking for a more natural way to enjoy peppermint essential oil's benefits. You can add drops in a sugar cookie recipe to elevate your recipe during the holidays. 

Beverages

Peppermint essential oil in your smoothie or water can offer a refreshing note into your beverages. You can even add a dash into your hot cocoa to make a peppermint hot chocolate. 

Topical use

Using essential oils on your skin can be soothing, cooling and invigorating, or even pain relieving. Of course, it is recommended to dilute the essential oil into a carrier oil prior to topical use. Try using peppermint oil for problems like headaches, muscle aches, joint pain, and itching. 

Recap  

Peppermint essential oil is known for its characteristic cooling and stimulating effect. The plant-sourced oil is one of the oldest herbs, prized for its menthol, which accounts for most of its beneficial attributes.

The uses and benefits of peppermint essential oils goes beyond these seven benefits, but many of its primary benefits include:

• Joint and muscle pain relief
• Energy and performance booster
• Headache Relief
• Respiratory Relief
• Oral health booster
• Hair Growth
• Natural insect repellent

So there you have it! 7 different ways to use peppermint essential oil. We hope these benefits have given you some ideas of how you can infuse the oils into your daily life or incorporate it into other wellness routines.

Whether you use it for its antibacterial properties, to help you sleep better, or for its zesty aroma - peppermint oil is a versatile product that can become an integral part of your daily life.

For more information on how this plant-based product can benefit your personal health and home, discuss with one of our experts or visit our MOXĒ blogs to stay informed about everything you need to know about essential oils.