Peppermint oil uses are abundant. It is one of the most versatile and multi-purpose Essential Oils – learn the 9 most important Benefits of Peppermint Oil.
9 Benefits of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is multifunctional. It is natural analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal essential oil used in pharmaceutics, oral care, cosmetics, flavoring of food and beverages.
There are many benefits of peppermint oil, and it has helped millions of people all over the world to enhance their health.
Modern research conducted on the peppermint oil uses shows that it:
- eases stomach pain
- mitigates digestive problems
- suppresses bad breath
- has a bactericidal effect
- has an insecticidal effect
- can be used as an analgesic
- soothes respiratory tract problems
- relieves muscle pain
Peppermint oil is different from other peppermint products. The oil is a concentrated extract from the peppermint plant, and it can be used internally, externally, and aromatically for the alleviation of a lot of health concerns.
Peppermint can be used for nausea
A 2013 study revealed that nausea induced by chemotherapy could be reduced by using peppermint oil. Other studies confirmed that nasal inhalers infused with peppermint oil helped reduce post-operational nausea in all subjects involved.
It can be administered in different ways to alleviate symptoms of vomiting:
- Apply topically by rubbing behind ears after mixing with a few drops of carrier oil.
- Inhale peppermint directly when you have feelings of nausea from motion sickness or chemotherapy.
- Or use via a diffuser where the constant aroma helps you feel better.
Used as a muscle and joint pain reliever
One of the benefits of peppermint oil is that it can function as a topical analgesic. It is an effective superficial painkiller and also a muscle relaxant.
It is antispasmodic, which means it can reduce the twitching and sudden contraction of your muscles that can happen after an exercise, making it handy for sportspeople.
The numbing, cooling and refreshing properties of the peppermint oil aid the analgesic effect.
A clinical study revealed that when this oil is applied as a topical rub, it exhibits pain relief for symptoms associated with myofascial pain syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Apart from its analgesic property, it can also be anesthetic. Soothing and reducing the pain associated with inflammation and physical trauma.
Mixing about 2 tablespoonfuls of coconut oil with ten drops of peppermint oil and applying topically to the area around joint will relieve arthritic pain.
Provides relief to seasonal allergy
Your airway comprises of muscles, and as a result, peppermint oil helps to relax these muscles on your upper respiratory tract, especially when they are tensed.
More so, you can reduce allergy symptoms like allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma, and colitis with peppermint oil uses.
Just as a natural remedy and a supplementary treatment, peppermint applied by inhalation or diffusers can help relieve symptoms.
Diminish irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms
IBS symptoms are more commonly seen in women and cause discomfort and chronic pain in the abdomen with diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Peppermint oil administered orally in the form of capsules serves as a natural remedy for this ailment.
When it gets into your system, peppermint relaxes the muscles of your bowels, which help in subsiding gassiness and bloating.
A study on the effectiveness of this peppermint capsule carried out in 2007 showed that 75% of the subjects involved in treatment by the capsule had their symptoms reduced by half. It concluded that peppermint oil is effective for the treatment of IBS and not just that, but a safe and short term treatment.
Fresh breath and improve overall oral health
You may know it as ‘mint,’ but it is fact the same peppermint oil that everyone trusts to give them a natural fresh breath. No doubt, peppermint can improve the condition of your oral environment and of course, freshen up your breath.
Peppermint oil kills germs, and when you have mint in your mouth, the bacteria that cause food spoilage, cause cavities, and release toxic gases get eradicated, leaving you with an oral environment that is much less populated with pathogens.
Peppermint oil uses in oral health products such as toothpaste, breath freshener, and mouth wash are common. It is a major pharmaceutical ingredient because of its menthol constituent.
Add a few drops of mint oil to your toothpaste. This will improve its freshness and cleanliness.
Wash your mouth with peppermint oil and water, gargle, and spit to end bad breath.
Can be used as a natural mild disinfectant and antiseptic.
As stated above, an essential benefit of peppermint oil is that it is toxic to many microorganisms, which means it can be applied to surface that you intend to keep clean.
You can rinse dishes and clothes with water and a few drops of peppermint oil to reduce the microbial load on them.
Encourages hair growth
Peppermint oil nourishes your hair, its effect is seen in those with thinning hair as it stimulates repair of damaged hair.
Peppermint is seen as an active ingredient in many hair care products for this reason. A significant increase in hair growth can be seen when topically, peppermint is applied to hair and scalp.
Menthol in peppermint can help with the removal of organisms causing dandruff and making a mess of one’s hair so that you aren’t only relieved of microbes but your hair restored.
Peppermint naturally repels bugs and insects
You might be surprised to find out that one of the benefits of peppermint oil is that it is an active constituent of most insect repellents.
Insects like mosquitoes and spiders and cockroaches do not like the smell of mint so it repels them.
Relieves itching
Many people suffer from itchiness, which is an annoying form of pain. If only they knew peppermint could help alleviate itching pain.
Studies carried out on women with severe itching showed improvement in the subjects that were given peppermint oil as medication.
You can now see the numerous benefits of peppermint oil and how it is multifunctional. However, this is just a fraction of the peppermint oil uses, as it widely used in many ways to improve general health.
You can start enjoying the benefits of peppermint oil today by adding one or two drops of peppermint oil to a glass of water, and drinking. You’ll be glad you gave it a try.
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