How to use peppermint essential oil

If I were stranded on a desert island and could only take one item with me it would be Peppermint essential oil. Peppermint has so many uses you will want to have it on hand at all times. Pure peppermint essential oil is safe for aromatic, topical and internal use. Let's learn how to use Peppermint essential oil, its benefits, safety tips, and recipes.

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Top uses for Peppermint essential oil

• Digestion
• Respiratory support
• Pest control
• Minor sore muscles
• Head and neck tension
• Freshen breathe
• Energy and focus

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This is for educational purposes only and not intended to be used as medical advice. This post may include affiliate links and I may earn a small commission on products recommended at no extra cost to you.

What is peppermint essential oil?

Peppermint is a hybrid of watermint and spearmint. The Pacific Northwest is the ideal climate to grow peppermint because of the high and consistent amounts of rainfall each year. We get peppermint that is almost 50% menthol from this region which gives it that minty aroma and flavor.

When peppermint is ready to be harvested the entire plant is cut down to the ground and left for a few days to dry. It is then chopped up and steam distilled to produce the essential oil.

Learn more about essential oils

What are essential Oils?

Essential oils are aromatic compounds found in plants, seeds, bark, flowers and trees. Pure essential oils are 50-70 times more potent than herbs and when used properly are 100% natural and safe.

Have you ever crushed a peppermint leaf between your fingers?  What you were doing was rupturing the essential oil sacs to smell the essential oil aroma.  The aromatic compounds inside those tiny little sacs help the plant protect itself and thrive.  We get the same benefit when we use essential oils. 

Who can use Peppermint essential oil?

Peppermint essential oil is safe for children and elderly but due to its high menthol content should be used with care.

Aromatic use is simply inhaling the scent from the bottle, adding drops to a room diffuser or inhaling a drop from the palm of our hands. If you have pets use safe practices when diffusing peppermint essential oil.

• Use less drops in a water based diffuser.
• Never leave your pet in an enclosed room with a diffuser running. They need to be able to leave the area freely.
• If you observe strange behavior stop diffusing.

Topically it is recommended you apply along with a carrier oil especially for those with sensitive skin, elderly and children.

Internal use of peppermint essential oil is safe with pure essential oil that are labeled as an "essential oil supplement."

➡️Buy peppermint essential oil

General essential oil dilution guidelines:

Essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds that evaporate very quickly. Dilution does not reduce the effectiveness of an essential oil but slows the absorption and evaporation. Dilute an essential oil by adding it to a vegetable based carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil, jojoba, argan oil, sweet almond and avocado oil.

Less is more! When in doubt dilute!

• 1 teaspoon = approximately 100 drops
• 5mL bottle = approximately 100 drops
• 10mL bottle = approximately 200 drops
• Under 12 years old use 1 drop of essential oil per year in age in 1 tsp of carrier oil. (ex. 5 years old = 5 drops of essential oil in 1 tsp carrier oil)
• Healthy adults use 20-40 drops total of essential oil in a 10mL roller bottle then fill the rest with a carrier oil.
• Seniors and sensitive skin use 10-20 drops total essential oil in a 10mL roller bottle.

How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil Aromatically

When inhaled essential oils can positively effect our mood and emotions in less than 30 seconds. The scent molecules of the essential oil enter through the olfactory nerve which sends messages to the limbic system. The limbic system acts as the command center for our mood and emotions.

• Inhale directly from cupped hands for an afternoon pick me up.
• Open the airways by inhaling from the bottle, cupped hands or in a diffuser.
• Help focus before a test and inhale peppermint along with wild orange.
• Freshen and purify the air along with a citrus or floral oil in the diffuser.
• Seasonal trio of 2 drops each peppermint, lemon and lavender essential oils in the diffuser.
• Make a room spray with 10 drops of Peppermint and your favorite citrus essential oil added to a 16 ounce spray bottle. Fill with distilled water and shake and spray for a fresh scent.
• Boost your brain power with 2 drops each peppermint, lime and rosemary oils in the diffuser.
• Deter pests (including spiders!) with a garden spray of 15-20 drops of peppermint in a spray bottle of water.

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Peppermint Diffuser Blend Recipes

Add the essential oil drops to a room diffuser along with tap water to the fill line. Inhale and relax!

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How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil Topically

Topical use is simply placing the oil on your skin where it is absorbed into the tissue and enters the bloodstream. Essential oils are 50-70 times more concentrated then herbs. We can dilute essential oils with a carrier oil (such as fractionated coconut oil) to slow that absorption and avoid sensitivity. To effect the whole body apply them topically to the bottom of the feet, spine or navel.

To avoid photosensitivity with citrus essential oils do not apply on skin that will exposed to the sun within 12 hours.

• Massage into neck, shoulders and temples to help relieve tension.
• Layer peppermint oil over Deep Blue soothing blend to enhance absorption and soothe sore muscles temporarily.
• Make a roller blend of 20-30 drops of peppermint essential oil in a 10mL roller and fill the rest with a carrier oil.
• Before an evening walk rub on the back of neck to ease muscle tension, feel energized and deter insects.
• Apply to the back of the neck or down the spine for a cooling sensation or add a drop to a cool compress.
• Make an after sun skin spray with water and 10 drops each Lavender, Frankincense and Peppermint.
• Apply to bug bites to ease irritation.
• Occasional stomach upset apply to the abdomen along with a carrier oil and rub in a clockwise motion around your belly button.

Peppermint Roller Blend Recipes

In a 10mL roller bottle add the essential oil drops and fill the rest with a carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil. Roll on area of concern.

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How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil Internally

Peppermint essential oil is only safe for internal use with pure essential oils labeled “safe for internal use.” Do Not Use fragrance essential oils internally. Use glass or stainless steel when adding essential oil to your water.

• Add one drop of Peppermint to a glass of water to aid digestion or drop it under your tongue.
• Add a drop to your thumb and hold on the roof of the mouth to freshen breath.
• Use the seasonal trio when trees and flowers start blooming - add 2 drops each Peppermint, Lavender and Lemon to 4 oz of water or add to a veggie capsule.
• Enteric coated softgels deliver the peppermint essential oil all the way to your lower intestine. There are studies on IBS and enteric coated Peppermint essential oil.
• Add a drop to your morning coffee.
• Make peppermint brownies by adding a few drops to the batter

Internal uses with Peppermint essential oil

Add to a veggie capsule (or 4 oz of water) the essential oils and take along with water.

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DIY Peppermint Recipes

What makes doTERRA essential oils different?

Have you seen a $10 Frankincense in the grocery store and wonder why it’s so cheap? Well, you can bet that bottle is synthetic grade and does not have the therapeutic benefits of a pure essential oil. The same thing goes for oils on retail sites such as Amazon. Anyone can buy a replacement essential oil bottle top for .50 cents that will seal as if it was a brand new bottle of essential oil. Buyer Beware: the percentage of adulterated essential oils on the market today is staggering.

There are four main grades of essential oils. Synthetic oils lack purity and can be harmful to the body. These include things like laundry, perfumes and body products. Food grade are measured by the GRAS standard (Generally Regarded As Safe). This is a much higher standard required for internal use, but this grade is mainly used to flavor food and lacks therapeutic benefits. Therapeutic grade is not well regulated. These are generally used for massage, aroma or cosmetic use and have a low standard to pass to qualify.

Certified Pure Tested Grade (CPTG) is exclusive to doTERRA essential oils. Every batch must pass in-house and third party testing to guarantee that no foreign contaminants or fillers exist. This is a standard that far exceeds organic labeling requirements. 

Have on hand the most popular essential oils that are handy to have in your home when you need them. The top 10 essential oils address issues such as digestion, energy, sleep, minor discomfort, skin and more!

• Lemon is uplifting
• Lavender is calming
• Peppermint is energizing
• Frankincense is grounding
• Oregano for immunity
• Tea Tree for skin
• Deep Blue soothing blend for minor discomfort
• Breathe respiratory blend for respiratory support
• On Guard protective blend for immune support
• DigestZen digestive blend aids digestion