What Is Peppermint Oil?
Peppermint is a cross between watermint and spearmint and is native to Europe.
This antimicrobial herb has been known for its medicinal uses, and its impressively long history often gives it the prestigious title as the world’s oldest medicine. Unlike many other herbs and essential oils, numerous health benefits of peppermint and its oil have been studied and proven by science. As a result, this oil is also sold in the form of capsules and tablets and is even prescribed by doctors of alternative and modern medicine. Peppermint oil can also be used as a flavoring agent. You will find very few people who find it unsuitable for their palate.
The oil contains numerous minerals and nutrients including manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, folate, potassium, and copper. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin C.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of this oldest medicinal oil include the following:
Reduces Muscle & Joint Pain
Peppermint oil can be used externally to provide relief from muscle pain. It is believed that the presence of calcium antagonism in peppermint oil helps remove pain from affected areas. In case of injury or wound, apply this oil topically to the area to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and eliminate the chances of uncomfortable inflammation of the joints.
Prevents Sinus
Inhaling this oil helps relieve congestion of the sinuses, and helps prevents other problems including nasal congestion, asthma, bronchitis, cold, and cough.
Suppresses Appetite
Taking a few sniffs of peppermint oil or applying it to your chest or temples can help in curbing cravings and make you feel full faster.
Boosts Energy
If you have chronic fatigue syndrome, peppermint oil can be very beneficial. Its analgesic properties help improve energy levels, focus, and concentration and thereby help you work better in your day-to-day life.
Prevents Allergy
Peppermint oil along with clove and eucalyptus oil can help prevent the risk of allergies by relaxing your nasal passages and clearing out the nose of any muck and pollens.
Treats ADHD
Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on your child’s short can prevent ADHD by improving alertness and concentration.
Anti-itch
If it’s a rash that giving you the itch or poison ivy, you can use peppermint oil to soothe and relieve it.
Reduces Fever
It is also cooling in nature and is subsequently used to reduce fever. It is frequently called a “refrigerant”, meaning that it can provide an intensely cold sensation to any affected area.
Skin Care
Peppermint oil contains menthol, which is good for the skin because it gives a cooling sensation. Furthermore, it nourishes dull skin and improves the texture of oily or greasy skin.
Treats Acne
This antimicrobial agent helps to clear up acne naturally by keeping the skin free of any allergens or pimple-causing bacterias.
Relieves Headache
Peppermint oil is a good home remedy for nausea and headaches because of its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties. To quickly alleviate the pain of a headache, simply apply it in a diluted form directly on the forehead or the temples. Inhaling this oil can eliminate the effects of nausea and motion sickness because of its relaxing and soothing effects. Furthermore, it reduces the pain of migraines in certain patients within 15 minutes of topical application, according to a study done in 2007.
Promotes Hair Growth
Peppermint oil has antiseptic, regenerative, and stimulating effects, which helps relieve dry scalp and irritation, stimulate hair growth for those suffering from baldness and give hair a shiny, fresh look.
Other Benefits
Reduces Stress
Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression, and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness. Furthermore, it stimulates [5] mental activity, clears the mind, and boosts cognition.
Relieves Spasms
Peppermint oil is very effective for gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and during a double-contrast barium enema, where it is applied intraluminally. Further benefits of peppermint oil that might stem from its antispasmodic properties are being studied.
Treats Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Peppermint oil can be used to treat urinary tract infections (UTI). Although it is traditionally used, formal scientific research is still underway to understand the details of this specific attribute. Peppermint oil has a wealth of antibacterial qualities, which may be the underlying reason why it can reduce the effects and frequency of urinary tract infections in alternative applications.
Boosts Immunity
Peppermint oil can boost a person’s immunity to various diseases and is commonly employed by people with a weak immune system or who seem to frequently suffer from illness. Peppermint oil is also known to have powerful antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal effects, which is why it is used in so many alternative treatments. It is composed of camphor, menthol, and carvacrol, which are resistant to certain dangerous bacterial strains like E. coli, salmonella, and staph infections.
Improves Blood Circulation
The stimulating effects of peppermint oil have been shown to increase blood circulation. Studies have shown that as soon as the vapor of the essential oil touches the end of the olfactory nerve endings, there is an instant increase in pulse rate and blood circulation. The stimulating effect of increased blood circulation helps oxygenate the body’s organs and increase metabolism. This leads to higher cognitive function and protection against neurally degenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Furthermore, increased blood circulation can prevent diabetics from complications they are already at risk of due to their glucose level imbalances.
