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Enjoy a sharp, intense, minty scent? Then you will love Peppermint essential oil!
Peppermint essential oil is a staple at our house. The crisp scent is energizing. I frequently use this oil as one of the oils in my diffuser blends when I want a stimulating blend to help with focus and memory while working.
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The following list is the Top 10 Uses for Peppermint Essential Oil at our house. I prefer to use a natural remedy over harmful or potentially harmful chemicals in our home and on our bodies.
- Headaches – take a drop in the palm and using a finger rub the oil into the temples, across the forehead, or over the sinuses (sinus headache) and/or on the back of the neck (tension headache). Due to the intensity of the oil, this may make your eyes water, so you may want to lie down with the eyes closed for 10-15 minutes.
- Gas/indigestion/constipation/abdominal cramps – apply peppermint oil diluted in a carrier (sweet almond oil or jojoba oil) oil directly on the belly.
- Cold Sores – apply Peppermint oil neat directly on the cold sore, 1-4 times daily.
- Nasal congestion – place a drop in the palm and rubs the hands together, cup the hands over the nose and breathe in deeply 10-12 times. You can also put a dab of oil under each nostril. If you notice skin irritation, dilute the oil with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil or jojoba oil) before applying.
- Increased energy – diffuse the oil into the air using a diffuser, or place a few drops on a cotton ball in your workspace or in the air vent in your car. You can also place a drop on your palm rub the hands together and cup the hands over the nose and breathe deeply for 10-12 breaths.
- Increased focus/mental clarity – diffuse the oil in a diffuser by itself or in a blend (see blend recipes below)
- Soothe and cool skin/fever – to cool the body and reduce a fever make a peppermint cooling spray or dilute the oil with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil or jojoba oil) and rub on the abdomen or other areas of the body
- Spiders/mice – deter critters from entering your house! Use Peppermint Cotton Balls and Peppermint Oil Spray (recipes below)
- Allergies – diffuse in the diffuser alone or as a blend (see blend recipes below)
- Sore muscles – dilute the oil with a carrier oil (sweet almond oil or jojoba oil) and apply to the area of concern
Recipes
Peppermint Cotton Balls – Apply several drops (4-5) of Peppermint Oil undiluted onto a cotton ball and place in an area where you suspect mouse/spider activity. The area needs to be dry, a wet cotton ball won’t work. Replace/refresh your cotton ball as often a twice a week, or once per week.
Peppermint Oil Spray –Â Spray door jambs, windows, anywhere you might suspect mice or spiders are entering your home. This can also be used as a deodorizing spray in the bathroom.
What you will need:
8 oz. spray bottle, glass is best when using essential oils
30-40 drops Peppermint Essential Oil (I prefer pure, therapeutic grade Young Living Essential Oils)
1/2 t. Epsom Salt
Place ingredients in the spray bottle, then fill with water. I use tap water, but many recipes suggest using distilled water. Shake before use. Spray areas every 1-2 weeks.
I have a bottle of this Peppermint Oil spray in my bathroom, to deodorize air as needed.
Allergy Diffuser BlendÂ
1Â drop Peppermint Essential Oil
3 drops Lavender Essential Oil
3 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
Add oils to the water in your diffuser and diffuse! I only use Young Living Essential Oils. I have tried the cheaper oils you can buy at the grocery store and have had them go bad. Only pure, therapeutic grade oils for me. Read more about Young Living here.
Here is a diffuser I found on Amazon.
Peppermint essential oil is a favorite in my home! Give it a try and let me know what you think! Comment below and share ways that you like to use this versatile oil in your home.
Ghanashyam K
February 7, 2021 9:30 amAll I knew was that peppermint is effective against headaches, I had no idea of all the other benefits though. This is a great list! Thank you!
Julie
February 7, 2021 3:48 pmThese are just 10 uses, there are many more!!
vidya
February 6, 2021 11:16 pmthank you for this post. we have only recently started using essential oils..and i did not realize that peppermint oil had so many uses
Julie
February 7, 2021 3:49 pmSo many uses, I have just listed our top 10!
Sarah
December 11, 2020 2:47 pmI love the smell of peppermint! I had no idea you could use it for spiders/bugs!
Julie
December 12, 2020 9:50 amVery versatile oil!! We used it at my work to keep mice at bay!
Lisa
December 11, 2020 11:56 amI love peppermint oil! I had no idea there were so many great uses for it. Thanks for putting this list together. 🙂
Julie
December 12, 2020 9:50 amSo many great uses. We always have some on hand at my house!
Ann
December 11, 2020 10:45 amInteresting to read. My friend is in love in essential oils. I might try 😊
Julie
December 12, 2020 9:51 amGive them a try! You will discover a whole new world!
Breanne
February 21, 2020 10:50 amI love this! Peppermint is one of my favorite scents. I always take a few whiffs of my oil before a workout 🙂
Julie
February 22, 2020 8:08 amThat’s a great idea for an energy boost!
Claudia Gebhardt
February 21, 2020 9:40 amI loved learning more about essential oils! Some in the past have not worked for me in regards to headaches or allergies, but I don’t think I tried the peppermint essential oil. I might have to try it! Thanks so much for sharing! 🙂
Julie
February 22, 2020 8:10 amPeppermint is a great oil to help with headaches! Make sure to use a high-quality oil. Definitely give it a try! Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Jen Towkaniuk
February 21, 2020 8:41 amMy husband started using Peppermint oil for his headaches and it really works. I love all natural alternatives to over the counter drugs and it smells great too! Thanks for giving me new ideas to use it.
Julie
February 22, 2020 8:11 amYou’re welcome! I agree, I prefer natural alternatives! Thanks for reading and commenting. 🙂
Katy Malkin
February 21, 2020 8:27 amI love the freshness of peppermint oil. Loving these new ways I can use it!
Julie
February 22, 2020 8:12 amI’m glad you learned some new ways to use it! Thanks for reading and commenting! 🙂
Maria
February 28, 2019 12:57 pmWhat?! I had no idea there were so many uses for peppermint essential oil! Where do you buy your essential oils?
Julie
February 28, 2019 9:32 pmHi Maria,
I was introduced to Young Living Essential Oils 6-7 years ago and have been a faithful customer ever since! I continue to learn so much about their many uses. I rely on them more and more for the health of my family versus otc products. I am impressed with the quality of their oils and I’m a customer for life!! So, I get all my oils through Young Living. I’m happy to answer any questions you may have. Thanks for reading 🙂
Terri
February 27, 2019 6:47 pmI use essential oils with my horses, and peppermint is one of my gelding’s favorites!
Julie
February 27, 2019 8:58 pmThat’s awesome Terri! I’m curious, what do you use it for with your horse?
Julie
Jennifer
February 27, 2019 10:30 amThank you for this, I have been looking for an allergy oil and something for my sons headaches. I am still learning about the essential oils. Shopping for diffusers, and specific recommendations? Thank you!
Julie
February 27, 2019 9:06 pmHi Jennifer,
There is so much information to learn about essential oils. I have the 600-page “Reference Guide for Essential Oils” by Connie and Alan Higley. I love it and refer to it almost on a daily basis. Lavender is a great oil to help with environmental allergies. My husband has grass allergies, and some others and Cypress works well for him. He also uses Raven frequently. An allergy blend that we often use for seasonal allergies is: Lavender, Peppermint and Lemon in the diffuser. So far I have only used Young Living diffusers. I have a link to one that I like in the Peppermint post. Thanks for visiting and commenting!
Lena
October 26, 2018 9:39 pmI have never used essential oils but I have been reading so many good things about them so I plan on giving them a try soon! It seems like peppermint is a favorite of many people!
Lena // http://www.ourchaoticmess.com
Julie
October 27, 2018 10:04 amHi Lena, I LOVE essential oils! I have been using them now for many years. I keep learning more about them and how they can be used. I’m glad to be decreasing the use of harmful chemicals as I replace them with essential oils! Thanks for visiting!