Written by: Shelley Michael CHHC Shelley is a certified wellness counselor and advocate for using toxic free, organic healthy home and personal care products and natural remedies that support healthy people and a healthy planet. You can read Shelley’s blog at: www.LifeStyleEntrepreneurist.com
It is no secret we love peppermint. We like our gum to be minty fresh. We add it to our candies and our toothpaste to give us that fresh pepperminty flavor but, little do we know about the amazing power of real peppermint oil! The use of peppermint oil dates back to ancient times. The Greeks and Romans used it for indigestion to sooth the stomach. Dried peppermint leaves were found in Egyptian pyramids dating back to 1000 b.c. Peppermint oil became very popular in Western Europe during the 18th century as a folk remedy for things such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion and more.
Peppermint is also antimicrobial and can help with headache relief, muscle relief, respiratory tract health, sinus care, energy boost and it can even help improve mental focus.
Some great uses for peppermint oil are:
For digestion steep peppermint leaves or add a couple drops of peppermint oil and drink as tea. You can add honey to sweeten a bit if you like. I recommend raw organic honey of course. This is also a great remedy for cold or flu symptoms. The happier our gut is the healthier our bodies will be.
For IBS try peppermint oil capsules. Peppermint calms the muscles of the stomach and improves the flow of bile, which the body uses to digest fats. As a result, food passes through the stomach more quickly.
For headaches, try rubbing a couple drops of peppermint oil on your forehead, temple, and wrists.
For oral health, add 10 drops of peppermint oil to 1 cup of water and swish & spit! You can also use peppermint oil with ‘oil pulling’ which is an Ayurvedic remedy. Use 1 tbsp of organic coconut oil and add 3-4 drops of peppermint oil and swish for 15 – 20 minutes then spit it out. Oil pulling can also make your teeth that appear whiter, reduce the risk of tooth decay, strengthen gums and help support overall systemic health.
For Allergies, add peppermint to your diffuser and enjoy the fresh scent while breathing in the benefits of the oil that will certainly smell great and help clear up your stuffiness.
Now more than ever it is important to return to natural remedies as we face a world full of products full of toxins and chemicals is it important to get back to organic and natural remedies. Always look at your labels and use organic products whenever possible with everything you put in and on your bodies.
This information is not to be used as medical advice. Always consult your naturopath or doctor before using any alternative treatments.