The Varied Uses of Peppermint
October 1, 2009
One afternoon while checking out of a local store, I noticed my sales person looked tired and in pain. When I asked her if she was feeling alright she responded that she had a headache and upset stomach.
Would you like to try a little essential oil of peppermint? I asked to which she said yes. So I placed several drops on a tissue and handed it to her to inhale. By the time I was ready to leave the store, her pain and nausea had decreased significantly and she was smiling and grateful for the oil.
Sometime later when on a snorkeling adventure in Mexico, a member of our group developed extreme motion sickness and was struggling to keep her lunch. A member of my family found the bottle of peppermint in my purse and offered it to her to inhale, which she did. Within minutes her nausea subsided and the look of anguish receded from her face. Although she was very grateful for the nausea relief, I cannot say she truly enjoyed the afternoon on the boat!
My grandson Brandon suffered from car sickness when he was younger and peppermint quelled his nausea while traveling which made our trips most pleasant.
Peppermint, Mentha Piperita, which is steam distilled from the plant’s leaves and flowers, is in my opinion, a must have essential oil. It is rare that I go anywhere without my emergency oils and peppermint is surly one of them! Peppermint is also excellent as a decongestant and an anti-viral. Due to its centering yet stimulating qualities, it is an excellent oil to diffuse in cars and research shows it to be effective in decreasing Road Rage.
As wonderful as Mentha Piperita is, there are several precautions to note. First, it is far too strong for children under 6 years of age. Remember that essential oils should never be applied undiluted to the face but especially with children with special caution in the nose and mouth area. Strong oils applied under the nose can cause respiratory arrest in children.
In addition, use peppermint with caution (that is in small, highly diluted doses) with those with epilepsy and high blood pressure. Peppermint should be avoided with those with enzyme deficits which prevent the liver from detoxifying menthol.
So whether you are in a car, boat, plane or on dry land, think of Peppermint, Mentha Piperita, and add it to your list of important essential oils because you never know when the varied uses of peppermint will come in handy!
Blessings,
Cheryl