A few months ago we showed you how to make your own delish whipped peppermint shea butter lotion. In fact, peppermint oil is a wonderful essential oil and a true medicinal multitasker for skin, hair, and health alike. Peppermint oil contains vitamin A, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids, potassium, manganese, iron, magnesium, calcium, and copper.
Peppermint oil helps ease acne, nausea, stomach upsets, gas, kills germs in your mouth, and is a natural decongestant. It also aids the immune system, improves circulation, and helps ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Placing a few drops of peppermint oil on your temples is also believed to relieve headaches. Adding a few drops peppermint oil to your bath will awaken your senses and help open up your nasal passages and soothe aching muscles. Used with a carrier oil, peppermint oil can be rubbed over sore muscles or can be used as a chest rub to relieve congestion.
As if all this wasn’t enough, researchers have now discovered that peppermint oil may be invaluable to your work out regime. A study by Wheeler Jesuit University found that athletes who sniffed peppermint during their workout ran faster, had greater grip strength, and could do more push ups than those who didn’t. Another Wheeler Jesuit University study found that peppermint oil reduced hunger and curbed appetite. Results indicate participants who were exposed to peppermint oil consumed nearly 3000 fewer total calories each week. Researchers believe that peppermint oil, whether inhaled or ingested, stimulates mental alertness and enhances a sense of fullness, taste, smell, concentration, and mental activity.
To get the benefits of peppermint oil during your workout, dab a few drops of peppermint oil on your wrist and inhale it whenever you think you need a boost. You can also chew on peppermint gum or on a lifesaver to achieve a similar effect. Put a few drops in your tea or in ice water to get the dietary benefits of peppermint oil throughout the day.
Your hair can also benefit from peppermint oil by balancing the pH levels of the scalp and stimulating growth. Remarkably, the pH balancing abilities of peppermint oil make it effective for curing both dry and oily scalps. At home, you can combine peppermint oil with castor, olive, coconut, or almond oil for a moisturizing and stimulating hair mask.
Peppermint oil can also be added to shampoo to stimulate and balance your scalp. As stated on its label, the Peppermint Shampoo made by Sea Chi Organics is clearly “Made with LOVE.” The Peppermint Shampoo is free of harsh laurel and laureth sulfates and parabens, and contains organic peppermint oil, kombucha tea, seaweed extract, organic herbal infusions of coltsfoot, chickweed, nettles, horsetail, slippery elm, marshmallow root, comfrey root, calendula blossoms, chamomile blossoms and oatstraw, and grapefruit seed extract. It also comes in a thick, artisanal brown bottle, with a separate pump dispenser, and has its own “used by” date stamp on the bottom. Be still my heart!
Image: www.seachi.com
You may also want to try Organic Excellence’s Wild Mint Shampoo. Formulated to both moisturize and balance, and free of sodium lauryl, laureth sulfates, and parabens, the Wild Mint shampoo contains ingredients like olive oil, coconut oil, peppermint oil, balm mint extract, ginger extract, mistletoe extract, lemon grass oil, burdock root extract, sage extract, rosemary extract, and grape seed extract.
Image: www.organicexcellence.com
To detoxify, exfoliate, and soften your skin, try the Alaska Glacial Mud Co.’s Lavender-Peppermint Glacial Facial Purifying Mineral Mud Masque. Free of synthetic fragrances, colors, propylene glycol, paraben-free, and cruelty free, the Masque contains sustainably hand-carved and mineral-rich glacial mud from the Copper River Delta in Alaska. The Masque is infused with lavender and peppermint oils and certified organic and wildcrafted botanical extracts including kelp, nettle, horsetail, elderflower, yarrow, cranberry, blueberry and vitamins e and b5. The Alaska Glacial Mud Co.’s Lavender-Peppermint Exfoliating Mineral Soap Bar, which is suitable for the body and face, also removes tough dirt and dead skin cells and is a great exfoliator. As a added bonus, the Alaska Glacial Mud Co. donates 10% of its profits to wilderness preservation, habitat restoration, environmental defense and education in the Copper River Watershed.
Image: www.alaskaglacialmud.com
Image: www.skinbotanica.com
Also be sure to check out Beecology’s handcrafted Honey Oatmeal Morning Peppermint Soap and its Natural Honey and Peppermint Body Wash. By combining peppermint oil with ingredients like honey, oatmeal, and other essential oils, both manage to be invigorating, nourishing, and healing all at the same time.
Image: www.beecology.com
Image: www.beecology.com
Peppermint oil is truly a powerhouse among essential oils and it has many beneficial uses. Add it to your health and beauty care arsenal and start pumping up your workout, diet, skin, and hair today!
-Holly K.
