Peppermint Oil

The medicinal herb Peppermint Oil as an alternative herbal remedy - The herb Peppermint is often used to flavor foods, and the leaves can be used fresh or dried in teas.Common Names--peppermint oil

Latin Names--Mentha x piperita

What Peppermint oil Is Used For

Peppermint oil has been used for a variety of health conditions, including nausea, indigestion, and cold symptoms.
Peppermint oil is also used for headaches, muscle and nerve pain, and stomach and bowel conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.

How Peppermint oil Is Used

Essential oil of peppermint can be taken in very small doses in capsule or liquid forms. The essential oil can also be diluted with another oil and applied to the skin.

What the Science Says about Peppermint oil

Results from several studies suggest that peppermint oil may improve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome.
A few studies have found that peppermint oil, in combination with caraway oil, may help relieve indigestion, but this evidence is preliminary. *Although there are some promising results, there is no clear-cut evidence to support the use of peppermint oil for other health conditions.

Side Effects and Cautions of Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil appears to be safe for most adults when used in small doses. Possible side effects include allergic reactions and heartburn.
Capsules containing peppermint oil are often coated to reduce the likelihood of heartburn. If they are taken at the same time as medicines such as antacids, this coating can break down more quickly and increase the risk of heartburn and nausea.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

News About Peppermint

3 Peppermint Oil Uses For Clear Skin And Healthy Hair

Source:http://www.bustle.com/articles/25802-3-peppermint-oil-uses-for-clear-skin-and-healthy-hair

By Kristin Collins Jackson

My own personal hell is getting my nails done. My worst experience of life occurred the day before my college roommate's wedding: I reluctantly went with the rest of the bridal party to have my first mani-pedi combo. Not only did I secretly balk at the price, despite this being a gift from the bride, but I also wasn't stoked about the 50 shades of pink to choose from. After choosing a pink I felt I could live with (without my old punk rock buddies wondering if I was having an identity crisis), I begrudgingly sat in the chair. It wasn't until I was under a nail dryer that I started to notice the weird tingling sensation on my hands and feet was becoming less of a tingle and more of fire under my skin. I looked at my feet and they were covered in hives. I ripped my hands from underneath the dryer and they were beet-red. A horrifying amount of bumps now covered my hands. Turns out, the sweet almond oil found in a lot of lotions at nail salons is not so sweet when you have a tree nut allergy. Once the swelling went down however; I loved my nails. I wanted them painted for the rest of my life and needed to find a way to give myself and my pals a killer manicure sans hives!

Enter peppermint oil: Its cooling menthol and fresh minty flavor makes this one of my all-time favorite essential oils. The reason you can find it in so many shampoos, face washes, and toothpastes? Peppermint oil is a natural antiseptic with an ability to wake up worn-out skin and manage oil production. That means it's a dope ingredient for your hair, skin, and nails.

Unlike its sister oils, peppermint has scientifically proven medicinal and therapeutic properties, as well as holding the title as the world's oldest medicine! This minty ingredient has Omega 3 fatty acids, vitamin A & C, calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium — so it'll to whip dry skin, stubborn nail beds, and blemish-prone skin into shape!

The best news is that you can easily grow your own peppermint. Personally, I'm a terrible gardener, but the two things I've mastered are basil, and peppermint. Convenient, since these are herbs I use often and cringe when I see the prices at my local grocer. Check out this super-easy and cost-effective way to maintain your natural beauty and brush up on your gardening skills from Little House Living's page on growing and extracting your own peppermint oil. Whether you've decided to harvest your own oil or take a quick trip to the grocery, check out these choice recipes below.

Nail Treatment

Every so often, I sit down and give my nails some actual TLC, instead of just adding more paint to my chipping nail beds. To do this I mix about 2 ounces of castor oil, which has bomb anti-fungal and healing properties, and several dashes of peppermint oil. I like to dip each nail in the solution, then let my fingertips chill and absorb the oil for a few minutes before I rinse or do any serious nail maintenance. The castor strengthens my nail beds during filing or buffing and the peppermint oil provides that much desired cooling effect while acting as an additional moisturizer. Bonus tip for your pedi: Dilute Epsum salt with peppermint oil to relax tired, dry feet. You'll get the ultimate spa treatment for only a few bucks!

Peppermint Toothpaste

There are a ton of natural recipes for toothpaste out there. I like to limit my ingredients, so my favorite rendition is super simple, affordable, and includes ingredients that I already use on my hair and skin. To make a batch, you'll need coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil. Mix about 3 parts baking soda to 1 part coconut oil (shoot for a creamy paste) and then add about 5 drops of peppermint oil. As always, use your judgment with these portions — you will learn with trial and error how much baking soda to coconut oil you want to use. Once you've whipped up your paste, apply directly on your toothbrush, and brush as normal. Say 'ahhhh' because not only have you made an alternative to a pricey all natural toothpaste, you're also naturally brightening your teeth and fighting bacteria!

Blemish Spot Treatment

This is what I love about peppermint oil: You can literally use it everywhere! I first used peppermint oil as a spot treatment on my face, albeit reluctantly, when I ran out of my usual acne-fighting essential oil. Fortunately, I found that peppermint works amazing on pimples and is super effective at diminishing the redness and swelling of that not-so-cute zit. Just use equal parts vitamin E and jojoba oil (or grape seed), and add a few drops of peppermint oil. PS: This is a great substitute for anyone that has a low tolerance to tea tree oil. Apply your treatment directly onto your blemish before bed until you see that sucker vanish! The additional benefit to using peppermint oil over tea tree is most definitely the scent but also I find it less drying when I want to treat an entire section of my face that's prone to breakouts.

Great news if you can't get enough of that natural menthol flava: peppermint oil is a solid choice for shiny hair and stimulates hair growth, too.

Peppermint oil, cinnamon may help treat, heal chronic wounds

Source:http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2015/07/08/Peppermint-oil-cinnamon-may-help-treat-heal-chronic-wounds/7641436371308/

By Stephen Feller

WASHINGTON (UPI) -- Researchers found a way to package compounds from peppermint oil and cinnamon into tiny capsules to kill bacteria and promote the growth of cells important in wound healing.

Essential oils, concentrated hydrophobic liquids that contain extracts from plants and flowers, have previously been shown as effective anti-microbial agents in studies for wound dressings.

"Essential oils and other natural compounds have emerged recently as alternative substances that can get rid of pathogenic bacteria, but researchers have had a hard time translating their antibacterial activity into treatments," researchers said in a press release.

In the study, published in ACS Nano, peppermint oil and cinnamaldehyde, the compound in cinnamon responsible for its flavor and aroma, were packed into silica nanoparticles. Microcapsules of these particles were shown to be effective against four types of bacteria, one of which was antibiotic-resistant.

In addition to the substances' antibacterial qualities, researchers found the combination of oils also promoted the growth of fibroblasts, a cell type important in wound healing.

Researchers said their hope was for the new material to be used in topical antibacterial treatments and disinfectants.

Similar combinations of essential oils have also been found to be effective in studies for fibrous wound dressings and to create alginate films, which could be used for food packaging and indoor air quality improvement materials.

2 Ways To Get Relief From Sore Throat Using Peppermint

Source:http://www.boldsky.com/health/disorders-cure/2016/2-ways-to-get-relief-from-sore-throat-using-peppermint-102103.html

By Somya Ojha

Does your throat feel scratchy? Does it hurt to swallow food or even water? If you nodded and answered yes to the above questions, then you must read on. Sore throats are often caused by harmful viruses and bacteria. However, a number of other reasons can contribute to this problem. There are a plethora of over-the-counter pills that you can take to subside the symptoms and get a good relief from the discomfort.

But, popping in those pills could cause side effects or harm your body in general. That is why, it is always better to opt for home remedies that can give your relief in a natural way. One such home remedy, which is often deemed as a powerful one for treating sore throat is peppermint. Peppermint possesses unique properties that enable it to treat infections and give relief from inflammation. It is antiseptic and antibacterial in nature. So, read on to know more about the ways in which you can use peppermint to get relief from sore throat.

1. Gargle With It:

This is a traditional way of soothing sore throat. Just steep 2-3 peppermint tea bags in a cup of hot water. Keep it steeped for 5-10 minutes and then, let the mix cool off. Then, use the cooled peppermint tea to gargle. Do this at least 2-3 times and you'll be able to feel the difference.

2. Take A Steam With It:

Taking a steam is considered to be highly beneficial for treating respiratory problems. Just add a few drops of peppermint oil in a bowl of hot water and take the steam for 10-15 minutes. This will give your a great relief from the discomfort and scratchy feeling. It is critical to be mindful of the fact that if the feeling of sore throat is persistent in nature, it could be a warning sign of a repressed health issue. In that case, it is highly advised to consult with an ENT specialist.

How to make your own herb tincture or peppermint oil

Source:http://www.latimes.com/home/la-he-healing-garden-recipes-20150627-story.html

By Peg Moline

Many of the studies done on herbs use an extraction of the plant. Oils are usually used externally; tinctures are for internal use (oil of oregano is actually a tincture).

Here are recipes for a tincture and peppermint oil from Gayle Engels of the American Botanical Council:

For an herb tincture

1. Pack fresh herbs into a clean glass jar with a tight lid.

2. Fill with 80-proof vodka.

3. Cover the mouth of the jar with wax paper or plastic wrap. Close the lid tightly and shake well. Keep in a dark place for four to six weeks, shaking daily.

4. Strain and keep the liquid in a glass bottle. Label with the name and date. It will keep for years in a brown glass bottle in a dark cabinet. Add 10% glycerin to make it more palatable, or you can use glycerin if you don't want to ingest alcohol.

For peppermint oil

1. Crush or muddle fresh peppermint leaves in a glass jar with a tight lid.

2. Cover the leaves with olive or grapeseed oil. Close the jar and shake.

3. Store for three days. Strain into a bowl and discard the leaves.

4. Pack the jar with fresh leaves, pour the oil back in the jar and cover with fresh oil. Repeat until you have the desired amount.

Twenty drops of the oil should be diluted with 1.5 ounces of another oil — coconut or almond, for example — before using it topically, and with water (1 cup per five to 10 drops of oil) for mouthwash. Never put essential oils directly on your skin (they can burn).

Peppermint Aromatherapy for Nausea

Source:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/peppermint-aromatherapy-for-nausea.html

By Dr. Michael Greger

One of the most common fears patients express when facing surgery is postoperative nausea and/or vomiting, which ranges from minor queasiness to protracted periods of vomiting.

Feeling sick to one’s stomach and throwing up after surgery is a common problem, affecting between a quarter and a half of those placed under general anesthesia, and more than half of those at high risk, meaning women who don’t smoke and have a history of motion sickness.

We’ve explored the science behind treating nausea with ginger, but if you’re too nauseous to eat, what do you do? Well, people are often sent home with anti-nausea rectal suppositories. Surveys, however, show that cultural and sexual attitudes may make a number of people sensitive to anything involving the rectum, especially when you’re feeling sick and throwing up.

And for women after a C-section, they might not want to take drugs regardless of the orifice if they’re breastfeeding, so researchers decided to put aromatherapy to the test. Research has shown that essential oils of both spearmint and peppermint are effective in reducing nausea and vomiting after chemotherapy, but this was after taking them internally—swallowing them.

Would just the smell of peppermint help with nausea? They had women take deep whiffs of peppermint extract (like you’d buy at a store) and it seemed to work. While none sniffing plain water with green food coloring felt better, 80 percent of the mint sniffers felt better within just a few minutes.

The study was criticized for being small, and for not using pure peppermint oil. Peppermint extract is peppermint oil plus alcohol. Maybe it was the smell of alcohol that made people better? And that’s actually not too much of a stretch.

In 1997, researchers reported a simple, innocuous, and inexpensive treatment for postoperative nausea and vomiting—the smell of isopropyl alcohol, which is what is found in those alcohol wipes, the little prep pads that nurses swab you with before shots. They found that they could just effectively tear one open and wave it under someone’s nose and relieve nausea and vomiting in more than 80 percent of folks after surgery. It has been since shown to work as well as a leading anti-nausea drug, and may even work faster, cutting nausea in half within 10 to 15 minutes, rather than 20 or 25.

So was it the alcohol, the peppermint, or both? Researchers decided to put it to the test. They instructed patients to take three slow, deep breaths, inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth, smelling alcohol, peppermint, or nothing. The smell of peppermint cut nausea in half within five minutes, and so did the alcohol. But so did smelling nothing! So maybe it had nothing to do with the scent; maybe it was just the instruction to take slow deep breaths. That would make it a really cost-effective intervention. Maybe it shouldn’t be so surprising, given the proximity of the vomiting and breathing centers within the brain.

And indeed controlled breathing was effective with or without any scent. So next time you feel nauseous, inhale deeply through your nose to the count of three, hold your breath to the count of three, and exhale out the mouth to the count of three. And do that three times.

Ironically, the researchers continued to advocate using those nasty smelling alcohol pads even though they themselves showed they weren’t any more effective than breathing alone. Why? Because since isopropyl alcohol has a readily detectable odor, patients are more likely to think that their post-operation nausea and vomiting is being actively treated when they inhale alcohol vapors rather than just engaging in breathing exercises.

In health,

Michael Greger, M.D.

The Healing Power of Peppermint

Source:http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/power-of-peppermint-zbcz1402.aspx

By Brandi Woolf

Spring is floating around out there somewhere, just waiting for its moment to, well, spring. It’s been quite the winter around the majority of the country, bringing moisture that was well needed; there is no arguing that. I think for most of us though, we are ready to move on. We are ready to dig our hands into the dirt and feel the sunshine on our faces.

One of the things I most look forward to is the smell of mint in the air. It grows wild throughout my yard and when a strong breeze kicks up, it sets me on a peppermint cloud, bringing me to a standstill from whatever task I happen to be involved in at the moment. I know that for many, the mint family is a nuisance, spreading like wildfire wherever its heart desires. But for me, that nuisance was a blessing for my less than green thumb when I began my journey into the gardening world. And when I discovered just how useful the sprawling bugger was, it was easy to say: let it grow.

Peppermint Healing Properties

Though many in the mint family pack a whole health wallop, the herb we are loving on presently is Mentha Piperita, or Peppermint. This common weed is widely used for its properties as an antibacterial (inhibiting the growth of bacteria), antiseptic (applied to skin to prevent bacterial growth), and carminative (to relieve gas and griping). It is also a mild analgesic (pain relief without loss of consciousness) and has nervine (calm nervous tension and nourish the nervous system) properties.

Let’s begin with the easiest and most common form for getting that healing dose of peppermint: A simple cup of tea, made by steeping about 1 tsp of the dried herb or 2 tsp of the fresh leaves in 8 ounces of boiled water for about 15 minutes, is a lovely remedy for many everyday ailments, including headaches and stomach upset. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea about an hour after a meal helps to keep your digestive juices in working order and when taken prior to eating, might help you to avoid gas pains. Its mild anesthetic properties can sooth the stomach wall and relieve the vomiting associated with pregnancy and motion sickness.

Peppermint can help to relieve anxiety and maintain focus, aiding those who deal with daily stress. And while it can be a soothing herb, it also has the opposite function of encouraging circulatory flow and treating lethargy. A cup or two of a stronger brew, say a tbsp of herb per 8 ounces hot water, can offer you a boost without the caffeine hangover. It’s a valuable help for colds and flu. I usually turn to peppermint when I feel a cold coming on. Making an extra strong dose and letting it steep for an hour or two will usually do the trick when caught early. Right now though, I go easy on the peppermint because I’m breastfeeding and it has been known to reduce mother’s milk.

Other Uses for Peppermint

Another way to utilize the tea is for compresses. Soaking a clean towel in the hot, steeped herb can do wonders for headaches. Just place the towel on your forehead, lie down and relax. You can use the same method for sunburn. Just allow the towel to cool and replace as needed.

In addition to the herb, I always keep some pure peppermint essential oil on hand. It packs a bigger punch than the fresh or dried herb and one or two drops will usually do the job. A drop massaged into each temple always eases my headaches. Be sure to wash your hands afterwards because you DO NOT want to get it in your eyes. If you do: washing your eyes out with cool water will usually help. Because of its antiseptic properties, a couple drops of the oil on a minor kitchen burn or scrape can help sterilize the skin and ease the pain.

Putting a few drops into steaming water and draping your head over the water with a towel can relieve sinus congestion. You can also put a couple drops into your palms and rub them together briskly, creating warmth, and then cup your hands at your nose and breathe deeply. This also helps for concentration and focus. But be careful to only breathe this two or three times, as this can stimulate the heart and possibly cause lightheadedness and burning eyes. Use in an aromatherapy diffuser to provide an overall uplifting and enthusiastic feeling to any room.

I keep a bar of peppermint soap in my shower. For me, there is nothing like the magic of mint in a steaming bath or shower. It lifts my spirit and is super soothing for skin rashes. Adding a few drops of oil to your favorite lotion makes a great foot balm, and gargling with an infusion of the herb freshens the breath!

While the benefits of this herb are far-reaching, exercise caution if you are pregnant or nursing. Do not overuse peppermint in any form for any condition. The suggestions printed here are from experiences I’ve benefited from personally and do not mean they will work the same for you. Every body is different. Consult your doctor if you are more comfortable doing so.

The possibilities of this aromatic herb are many, far more than what I’ve included here. I encourage you to explore it further and maybe plant some in your own yard to enjoy its plentiful benefits. However, if you would like to avoid a mint takeover, I’d suggest potting it.

Visit me at Folkways Farm, to read about urban farm life and the happy shenanigans of my family! Thanks for reading Mother Earth News!

My resources for this article include: The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal, by David Hoffmann, The Essential Herbal for Natural Health, by Holly Bellebuono, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, by Valerie Ann Worwood, and The Way of Herbs, by Michael Tierra.

Peppermint oil and cinnamon could help treat and heal chronic wounds

Source:http://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/pressroom/presspacs/2015/acs-presspac-july-8-2015/peppermint-oil-and-cinnamon-could-help-treat-and-heal-chronic-wounds.html

(ACS)

"Nanoparticle-Stabilized Capsules for the Treatment of Bacterial Biofilms" -- ACS Nano

Infectious colonies of bacteria called biofilms that develop on chronic wounds and medical devices can cause serious health problems and are tough to treat. But now scientists have found a way to package antimicrobial compounds from peppermint and cinnamon in tiny capsules that can both kill biofilms and actively promote healing. The researchers say the new material, reported in the journal ACS Nano, could be used as a topical antibacterial treatment and disinfectant.

Many bacteria clump together in sticky plaques in a way that makes them difficult to eliminate with traditional antibiotics. Doctors sometimes recommend cutting out infected tissues. This approach is costly, however, and because it’s invasive, many patients opt out of treatment altogether. Essential oils and other natural compounds have emerged recently as alternative substances that can get rid of pathogenic bacteria, but researchers have had a hard time translating their antibacterial activity into treatments. Vincent M. Rotello and colleagues wanted to address this challenge.

The researchers packaged peppermint oil and cinnamaldehyde, the compound in cinnamon responsible for its flavor and aroma, into silica nanoparticles. The microcapsule treatment was effective against four different types of bacteria, including one antibiotic-resistant strain. It also promoted the growth of fibroblasts, a cell type that is important in wound healing.

The authors acknowledge funding from Firmenich, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation.

What sorghum and peppermint oil have in common

Source:https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/what-sorghum-and-peppermint-oil-have-in-common/2016/02/08/5922ac62-bfd8-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html

By Cathy Barrow

Once the weather turns seriously cold, and seasonal DIY pickings are slim, I keep my curiosity fueled by exploring ingredients new to me. In past years, such focused cooking has led to a February of piment d’Espelette, a March of single-source honeys and an entire winter devoted to California olive oils.

This year, it’s sorghum, a thick, sweet syrup sold across the South, and peppermint oil, an alternative to peppermint extract. Although they couldn’t be more different, these two intriguing flavors are made for do-it-yourself Valentine’s Day sweets.

I’ve been getting to know sorghum, and I’m not the only one. Sorghum seems to be having a moment in the sun, but it’s not new by any stretch of the imagination. The sorghum plant grows across Africa and was carried to the United States on slave ships and planted across the southern part of our country. It is particularly productive, offering grain for a fine flour and a sweet syrup made from its stalks.

North Carolinians have been pouring sorghum syrup over biscuits forever. Once I had sorghum in the pantry, I made plenty of biscuits, but I also learned to add a glug to a marinade for grilled chicken. And when I swapped sorghum for molasses in a cookie recipe, I understood why it’s called a gingersnap. Sorghum makes for a snappy cookie. Molasses wishes it had sorghum’s complexity: that dusky tang, rich sweetness and smooth finish.

It wasn’t until I met sorghum that I discovered my perfect caramel. I’ve made caramels with chilies and chocolate, with honey and with brown sugar; in this caramel, particularly when paired with brown butter, sorghum practically sings “Hallelujah!” This is a caramel worthy of your valentine.

As with sorghum, it has taken me time to get to know peppermint oil. A friend recommended that I try baking with peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract, emphatically stating that the flavor was clean and better and would change my mind about minty chocolate baked goods.

Peppermint oil is pressed from peppermint leaves, and it’s sold at baking supply stores, at natural-foods stores and via online purveyors. The more familiar peppermint extract is made by infusing mint leaves in alcohol and is widely available. The flavor of the oil is clear, bright and fresh, suffusing the food with a minty oomph. The flavor of peppermint extract dulls with cooking as the alcohol burns off. Food made with extract doesn’t hold a candle to the same food made with oil.

I tested the two by making brownies, white chocolate bark and ice cream sauce. I am sold; I will forevermore use peppermint oil instead of extract. Because peppermint oil is meted out in drops, a small bottle of it will last a very long time. Be wary, however; it is strong. Too many drops, and the mint flavor can overwhelm everything (and stay with you for hours, like bad takeout). Start small — a drop or two — then add more only after tasting once the first drops have been fully incorporated.

In just a few minutes, melted chocolate and cream with no more than five drops of peppermint oil transforms into a shiny, rich, dark chocolate sauce ready for spooning over ice cream, drizzling on pound cake and enrobing marshmallows. Pour it into the prettiest jar for gift giving.

Beyond delicious sweets in time for Valentine’s Day, I’m sure these wintertime experiments will find their way into my summer jams. A dab of peppermint will sharpen the naturally tart flavor of strawberry. And I can’t stop thinking about sorghum ice cream over a bubbling peach crisp. I bet it will be a match made in heaven.

20 Nifty Reasons to Use Peppermint Oil Around the House

Source:http://www.popsugar.com.au/smart-living/Uses-Peppermint-Oil-39104871

By Rona Horowitz

Peppermint is one essential oil you probably don't have at home, but should! As one of the oldest European herbs used for medicinal purposes, peppermint is great to have on hand to remedy a variety of aliments, but that's not all! Peppermint oil has tons of unexpected benefits you'll be glad you know about.

• Clean surfaces: Peppermint oil is full of natural antibacterial and antifungal properties. Just mix some of the oil with water and vinegar to create an all-purpose house cleaner and get scrubbing!

• Fight hunger: Smelling the scent of peppermint will make you feel fuller faster and help curb your appetite!

• Odour control: A few drops of peppermint oil at the bottom of your kitchen or bathroom garbage will mask smelly odours.

• Toothache: Gargling peppermint oil with water will give you toothache relief and a dab of diluted peppermint oil, applied with your finger, is also great for teething babies!

• Stop the itch: Applying a few drops of peppermint oil will stop the itching from bug bites, hives, or poison ivy.

• Alertness: A few drops of peppermint oil under your nose will keep you alert throughout the day.

• Beverages: Give your favourite beverage a peppermint twist by adding a few drops of peppermint oil (to taste).

• Ticks: Soaking a cotton ball in peppermint oil will free a tick from its tight latch on your skin.

• Bad breath: A drop of peppermint oil will give you minty-fresh breath, and if you mix a few drops with water, you can make peppermint mouthwash.

• Indigestion/Constipation: Massaging the oil into your lower abdomen will relieve indigestion pain and get things moving again.

• Chest cold: Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil on your chest will help break up mucus and open up your airways.

• Hiccups: Applying peppermint oil to both sides of the vertebrae on your neck will help you get rid of the hiccups.

• Motion sickness/Nausea: Massaging a few drops of peppermint oil into your wrists and abdomen will help combat your nausea. Making a cup of peppermint tea will also soothe your sick feeling.

• Sore feet: A peppermint oil foot bath will give your aching feet some much-needed relief.

• Headache: Rubbing a few drops of peppermint oil into your temples and the back of your neck will help subdue your headache pressure.

• Allergies: Mixing peppermint oil with lemon will open the airways that are under attack.

• Stomach pain/Menstrual cramps: Peppermint oil has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic qualities. Massaging a few drops into your sore muscles will help relieve pain, reduce boating, and combat spasms that cause cramps.

• Plant maintenance: Spray peppermint oil mixed with water to kill the aphids on your plants.

• Keep bugs and rodents away: Mixing 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil with water creates a homemade bug repellent. Spray any cracks where bugs can get into your home, and it will keep them out. Placing soaked cotton balls also works great to keep pesky mice and raccoons out of your home.

• Shampoo: Adding peppermint oil to your shampoo will help stimulate your scalp and help get rid of dandruff

News: Peppermint could improve exercise performance

Source:http://www.besthealthmag.ca/blog-post/news-peppermint-could-improve-exercise-performance/

By Katharine Watts (Associate Web Editor, Best Health)

If you want to give your workout an extra boost, you might want to add a drop of peppermint oil to your daily diet.

A new study, published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, shows that peppermint is an effective way to boost athletic performance.

Study volunteers (12 healthy young males) drank a bottle of mineral water containing 0.05’ml peppermint essential oil for ten days. A treadmill test showed that it had a positive impact on their performance.

"The results of the experiment support the effectiveness of peppermint essential oil on the exercise performance, gas analysis, spirometry parameters, blood pressure, and respiratory rate in the young male students," the study’s authors wrote.

In other words, peppermint oil could make you a better runner, boost your breathing during a workout and improve your blood pressure and heart rate.

Would you use peppermint oil to boost your performance?

Enhance Athletic Performance with Peppermint

Source:http://www.care2.com/greenliving/enhancing-athletic-performance-with-peppermint.html

By Dr. Michael Greger

Ever since smoking was prohibited in night clubs, customers have increasingly noticed other unpleasant smells present in the club—like body odors. So, researchers in Europe thought they’d try to cover them up. The researchers measured the effects of peppermint, for example, on dancing activity and asked people to rate their energy level. They found that with peppermint scent, people felt more cheerful and danced more, and so, concluded the researchers, “environmental fragrancing may be expected to have a positive effects on club revenue.” Innovative nightclubs are already inviting “aroma jockeys” to smell the places up.

The business community caught whiff of this and thought maybe peppermint smell would get their secretaries to type faster. And it worked! There was improved performance on clerical tasks associated with the administration of peppermint odor.

In an age where athletic competitions are frequently won or lost by mere hundredths of a second, athletes are continually looking for new ways to excel in their sport. Researchers threw some collegiate athletes onto a treadmill and piped different smell into their nostrils, and those on peppermint reported feeling less fatigued, more vigorous, less frustrated, and felt they performed better. But did they actually perform better?

A different study published in the Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology measured actual performance, and participants were actually able to squeeze out one extra pushup before collapsing and cut almost two seconds off a quarter mile dash with an odorized adhesive strip stuck to their upper lip. Interestingly there was no significant difference in basketball free throws. The researchers think the reason is that free throws actually require some skill, and all the peppermint can do is really improve athlete’s motivation.

Unfortunately follow-up studies were not able to replicate these results, showing no beneficial effect of smelling peppermint on athletic performance, so how about eating peppermint? Researchers measured the effects of peppermint on exercise performance before and after ten days of having subjects drink bottles of water with a single drop of peppermint essential oil in them. And all the subjects’ performance parameters shot up, churning out 50 percent more work, 20 percent more power, and a 25 percent greater time to exhaustion. Improvements were found across the board in all those physiological parameters, indicating increased respiratory efficiency. They attribute these remarkable results to the peppermint opening up their airways, increasing ventilation and oxygen delivery.

Now, you can overdose on the stuff, but a few drops shouldn’t be toxic. Although, it’s ideal to blend fresh mint leaves in water rather than use the oil.

Essential Oil Labs Reveals Peppermint Oil Can Be Natural Mice Deterrent

Source:http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2818750

(Digital Journal)

A Los Angeles, CA business has released new information on an unexpected use of peppermint oil, particularly with deterring mice the natural way. One of the more unusual and lesser known benefits of the said essential oil is that it can repel mice as demonstrated many people. The company hopes to encourage more people to use this oil as a humane way to keep pests at bay.

Quinton Jeffries of Essential Oil Labs says: "Mice are pests and if you get them in your home, it is very difficult to get rid of them. While people traditionally turn to mouse traps or poison, these are inhumane ways of solving the problem, not to mention that these can pose significant risks to pets and people in the home. Peppermint oil is a natural alternative that is relatively safe and will keep mice away."

Essential Oil Labs prides itself in creating multi-functional essential oils that can be used for home, garden and overall health and beauty. All their products are 100% natural and are made from responsibly sourced ingredients. In so doing, they know that they do not cause any damage to the planet, while at the same time harnessing the powers of Mother Nature herself.

The said essential oil in particular has proven to be very popular. "Essential Peppermint Oil is a wonderful all natural product that has a multitude of uses," says Becca L. "I love the fact that it is so invigorating. The scent is fantastic and very pure. I am blown away by it's powerful aroma. This aroma actually opens my airways and helps me to breathe easier. Also this oil is a great natural pest control product. Bugs don't like the scent of the peppermint. Actually works. Also great for getting rid of lice and using in hair as a repellent to prevent it."

People are also encouraged to follow the Essential Oil Labs Twitter account. This will give them an opportunity to hear of more uses for the oil as they are uncovered. They can also share their own particular uses of the peppermint oil with the company and with the general public as a whole.

Peppermint oil may help those suffering IBS

Source:http://www.news4jax.com/health/peppermint-oil-may-help-those-suffering-ibs

(News4Jax)

Study: Peppermint oil helps IBS sufferers

BOCARATON, Fla. - In a national survey conducted in October 2015, U.S. gastroenterologists were asked about their use of peppermint oil in the management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). The survey revealed that the majority (83 percent) of these gastrointestinal specialists were recommending peppermint oil for their IBS patients.

"These findings may be somewhat surprising to many people, but there is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of peppermint oil in IBS," said Michael S. Epstein, M.D., a leading gastroenterologist. Dr. Epstein is also the Chief Medical Advisor for IM HealthScience, innovators of IBgard, a novel medical food containing peppermint oil for the dietary management of IBS.

In an article entitled, "Therapy Options in Irritable Bowel Syndrome,"[1] published in December 2010, in theEuropean Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the authors conducted a meta analysis of the options available in the management of IBS. Management options analyzed included various prescription therapies, such as antispasmodics, antidepressants, and non- prescription options, such as peppermint oil, probiotics and fiber. With respect to peppermint oil, the analysis included four studies with a total of 392 patients. Three out of four of those studies had a Jadad score (validated scoring system that measures quality of study on a scale of 0 to 5) of four or higher.

The authors analyzed the outcome of various options for IBS management. Based on their analysis of overall efficacy, they concluded that the "highest efficacy is currently found for peppermint oil, followed by psychotherapeutic and psychopharmaceutical interventions and probiotics. Traditional antispasmodic therapy has moderate efficacy, whereas the list of (partially failed or cancelled) motility-affecting drugs yielded weak clinical results, and therapies of bran and fiber are of no value in IBS."

In an American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) monograph on the management of IBS published in August 2014,[2] the ACG summarized, "In specific formulations, which may not be universally available, peppermint oil is effective in IBS." No strong recommendation was made for any product category, including peppermint oil, for the management of diarrhea predominant (IBS-D), one of the most prevalent types of IBS. This monograph also identified a need for more studies and longer clinical trials with peppermint oil.

Photo Gallery of Peppermint

Peppermint Tea
Leaves and Flowers
Peppermint Tea in a Glass
Peppermint used as border