PEPPERMINT OIL

PEPPERMINT OIL

The health benefits of peppermint oil include its ability to treat indigestion, respiratory problems, headache, nausea, fever, stomach and bowel spasms, as well as for pain relief. Due to the presence of menthol, menthone and menthyl esters, peppermint and peppermint oil find wide applications in the manufacturing of soap, shampoo, cigarettes, toothpaste, chewing gum, tea and ice cream.

Peppermint is a cross between watermint and spearmint and is native to Europe. Historically, the herb has been known for its medicinal uses, and its impressively long history often gives it the prestigious title as the world’s oldest medicine.

Unlike many other herbs and essential oils, numerous health benefits of peppermint and peppermint oil have been studied and proved by the scientific community. As a result, peppermint oil is also sold in the form of capsules and tablets, and is even prescribed by doctors of alternative and modern medicine.

Health Benefits of Peppermint Oil

The health benefits of peppermint oil include the following:

Indigestion: Peppermint oil is very helpful as an aid for digestion. People often put a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and drink it after their meal for its beneficial digestive properties. It is carminative and therefore helps in removing excess gas. It is also a good tonic for those who have a low appetite, and it helps treating motion sickness, nausea and upset stomachs. Preliminary research has proved that it, when combined with caraway oil can be used for treating heartburn.

Peppermint oil can relax the smooth muscles of the GI tract, which is why it is so commonly a component of “over-the-counter” medications. A number of studies have also shown it to be a great reliever of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which affects millions of people every year and is characterized by abdominal pain or discomfort without any other diagnosed disease. Further research still needs to be done on the exact mechanism by which this occurs, but numerous studies have validated these effects.

Dental care: Peppermint oil, due to its antiseptic properties, is very useful in dental care. It also eliminates bad breath and helps teeth and gums fight off hazardous germs. Unsurprisingly, these attributes mean that it is added to numerous toothpastes, and it is also been shown to be useful in the treatment of toothaches. At times, the inhalation of peppermint oil vapor can be anti-inflammatory and pain relieving, so it can even be added to postoperative oxygen, particularly after oral surgeries.

Nail Care: The antifungal properties of peppermint oil are well studied, and there is significant research that shows it, when topically applied, can reduce the chances of fungal nail infection, which affects many people around the world

Nausea and headache: Peppermint oil is a good home remedy for nausea and headaches. To quickly alleviate the pain of a headache, simply apply it in a diluted form directly on the forehead. Inhaling peppermint oil can eliminate the effects of nausea and motion sickness, simply because of its relaxing and soothing effects. Its cooling and anti-inflammatory properties are part of the reason why it is so successful at relieving headache symptoms, and it is even used to reduce the pain of migraines in certain patients within 15 minutes of topical application, according to a study done in 2007.

Stress: Like most other essential oils, peppermint is able to provide relief from stress, depression and mental exhaustion due to its refreshing nature. It is also effective against anxiety and restlessness. Furthermore, it stimulates mental activity, clears the mind, and increases focus on cognitive tasks.