Peppermint oil is one of the most used essential oils in the United States, so check out its survival benefits here!
Natural Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil
Peppermint Oil Uses and Health Benefits
The use of peppermint oil as a breath freshener is very common. However, there are way more benefits you can get for your body and people want to know how to use peppermint oil for this purpose.
This oil contains a compound called “menthol,” which acts as an antioxidant, analgesic, and can even relieve inflammation. There are peppermint oil uses for skin, headache, fever, and more as you read on.
1. Boosts Energy Level
Peppermint oil naturally boosts your energy level simply with its smell. If you're about to engage in a strenuous activity like jogging or working out, take a few sniffs before you get going.
This essential oil enhances our brain functions as well as stimulates our mental energy.
2. Relieves Headache
When you're experiencing a headache, peppermint oil is an effective and natural way to ease the pain. You can rub some on your forehead or inhale from a small bottle if you feel a headache coming.
Other ways to use peppermint oil for headaches are by adding it to your massage oil, using it as an air diffuser, and drinking it as tea.
3. Joint Pains
Joint pains, such as arthritis, can be really painful. A lot of people resort to stronger medicines or even sleeping pills to ease suffering from the pain.
As a natural alternative to expensive medicines, simply mix rosemary and lavender with peppermint and gently rub on the affected areas. The peppermint's cooling sensation soothes joint pain and inflammation with its microbe-fighting content.
4. Repels Insects
Peppermint oil is known to drive away pests like ants, mice, and mosquitoes. It's non-toxic, safe to be around pets and kids, and refreshing for your house at the same time.
Just take a spray bottle, fill it up with distilled water, and then add 20 drops of peppermint oil.
RELATED: How to Repel Pests with Essential Oils
5. Allows Easy Breathing
Peppermint oil clears your nasal passages when you feel congested. It naturally prevents histamines from blocking the airways, which gradually remedies asthma in the process.
When you're having a hard time breathing, take a whiff of peppermint oil. This helps you breathe easily.
Histamine Definition: Histamine is the body's mechanism to fight off allergens.
6. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Peppermint oil has been used for centuries as a natural remedy for different conditions, including gastrointestinal problems. It can be used to relieve irritable bowel syndrome and reduce related symptoms.
Researchers found that peppermint helps in reducing intestinal muscle contractions.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Definition: A disorder of the large intestine that exhibits cramping, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, etc. Read more about it here.
7. Fever Relief
Peppermint oil is also effective for fever relief. Peppermint oil can reduce fever by clearing up congestion, which leads to an increase in body temperature.
It's safe and natural, so feel free to rub some oil on your chest and other parts of your body when you feel a fever coming on.
8. Sore Muscles
This essential oil can also be used as a muscle rub for sore muscles. Simply mix peppermint oil with coconut oil then rub it on the affected area.
This can naturally relieve pain and give you a soothing sensation. It gradually takes away the soreness and allows your body to feel relaxed.
Watch this video by BuzzFeed Nifty on how to make a bug repellent with the use of essential oils, including peppermint oil:
Peppermint oil has many uses, from insect repellent to breath freshener, so it's no wonder that it has been used for centuries. It also has many health benefits, and the best part is that it's all-natural.
With all these benefits, stocking up on a couple of bottles will certainly go a long way in helping out a survivalist like you.
Have you ever used peppermint oil? How was your experience with it? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Up Next: Essential Oils For Survival – 80 Tea Tree Oil Uses
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in July 2017, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
It’s also wonderful for an upset stomach. Put a few drops in a half glass of water and drink.
Also a few drops in a face mask keeps you from smelling odors. Think SHTF. Decomposing flesh. Exposed innards and body expellants.
As a Theatre Nurse I can say that it works ok but can be a bit stingy on your eyes. We usually use lemon essential oil as it blocks the smell better and doesn’t sting your eyes.
It is also a very effective way to remove a tick. Just put a drop right on the tick. In seconds it will release and try to escape.
Thanks for the tick tip Robert! Living in a rural area my dogs get ticks on them quite often. I will use this from now on!!!!
My dog had a tick yesterday that was really dug in.. Tried it and it worked immediately.
Any oil will do that – an embedded tick breathes thru it’s ass and a drop of oil will block that off
I’ve used a peppermint spray when fighting bed bugs. Horrid little buggers! And fast too. The peppermint oil does not kill them but appears to stun them. I then quickly vacummed and steam cleaned the area. After all these years, later of winning the bed bug fight, I still keep peppermint spray handy and usually use it to freshen the air.
I’d recommend using a metal or glass container when using eo. Apparently the eo causes leaching in anything plastic.
Only the citrus oil eat plastic, especially lemon oil.
How many drops of each oil did she use?