As a midwife, people have been asking me about benefits and uses of essential oils for years, and I'm ashamed to say that I know nothing about them. I've had mothers here who brought and used their own oils and I've seen amazing results. But, I've been avoiding them.
Perhaps my reservations have been the smell? I'm not a "smell" person and perfume fragrances even often give me headaches; so the idea of intentionally exposing myself to the strong smell of essentials oils made me hesitant. But a fellow midwife FINALLY talked me into going to a class. I'll be honest and admit that there were too many smells in one little room to make me happy; but I loved the excitement of the results people were getting form something as simple as a drop of essential oil.
So here I am. Trying a few oils and beginning my research.
Pepperming #7: "Perk Up. The invigorating aroma of peppermint is a wonderful, non-stimulating way to perk up on long drives, in school, during late night homework or any other time you need to “burn the midnight oil.”
As a midwife; I'm a coffee addict (don't judge me it's a job requirement), so.....
Can peppermint 'perk me up' enough to replace my morning coffee?
This morning I put two drops of peppermint in a glass of water when I got up. Wow! That was an eyeopener. Eyes Wide Open, and maybe some cleared nasal passages. Not a bad 1st experiment. But I'm going to admit that my eyes started sagging in an about an hour, so I drank my coffee on the ride to work. But that would be a wonderful benefit for a long drive or late night work when you don't want a prolonged coffee buzz. In my opinion, #7 has been CONFIRMED.
But I noticed something else too. Food never even crossed my mind until after 1:30. I just didn't get hungry and missed lunch. Wow, good for me. I'm going to try that again, but set a timer for something healthy so I don't overeat in the evening. So, I'm CONFIRMING # 5 also:
"5. Feel Full, Faster. Satiety. It’s about feeling full, and not overeating. The aroma of peppermint oil has the ability to make you feel full, faster…especially if you breathe it in during a meal!"
I've loved it as a toothpaste for a while now. We avoid flouride and food coloring, so I was buying TOMS, but discovered that I like baking soda and a drop of peppermint oil better. I know there are other toothpaste oil recipes out there, and I might try them the next time I stumple accrosss the recipe.
#2 = CONFIRMED
This is fun; I can't wait to try more.
Day 2: Peppermint as an appetite suppressant is still working like a charm. I've tried it before with less success, but I didn't drink it water before. I'm also getting out of bed and walking straight to the sink so it's the first thing in my stomach. It doesn't seem to work as easily later in the day.
Hint: Don't let the water touch your lips. Tingly!
Peppermint
1. Calm a Tempest. Just one drop of peppermint oil rubbed on the stomach or taken internally can calm indigestion, an upset stomach or other internal digestive commotion. A must-have when traveling!
2. Restore Vitality in the Mouth. When your breath is sharp and your mouth feels furry, peppermint oil with water (and lemon oil) creates a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse that leaves a lasting crisp, clean feeling.
3. It’s About Air Flow. When sinuses seem to be clogged, and throats swollen and scratchy, diffuse peppermint oil (or apply topically on the chest) for almost immediate relief and revitalizing air flow. Peppermint acts as an expectorant and may provide relief for colds, cough, sinusitis, asthma, and bronchitis.
4. Cool the Joints. When the ravages of time wreak havoc on your joints, leaving that hot and achy feeling,
peppermint oil mixed with lavender oil cools like an ice bath, but you to stay warm and dry.
5. Feel Full, Faster. Satiety. It’s about feeling full, and not overeating. The aroma of peppermint oil has the ability to make you feel full, faster…especially if you breathe it in during a meal!
6. Cool Your Tootsies. If you’ve been on your feel all day or religiously wear hard soled shoes, just add peppermint
oil to a cold water compress to cool your overworked, over heated tootsies.
7. Perk Up. The invigorating aroma of peppermint is a wonderful, non-stimulating way to perk up on long drives, in school, during late night homework or any other time you need to “burn the midnight oil.”
8. Energize Your Lather. Some shampoo and conditioner combos can make you want to go back to sleep. No energy. No pep. No fun. Not good. Add peppermint to your potions to stimulate the scalp, energize and wake up!
The oil is an antiseptic in nature, and can also help remove dandruff and lice.
9. Allergies Beware. Peppermint oil has the ability to relax muscles in the body -- the same muscles that line our airways and become affected in allergy season. Peppermint oil (with lemon) should certainly be another arrow in your allergy treatment quiver!
10. Chase Away Tension Headaches. Got a mind numbing headache? A few drops of peppermint dabbed on your temples, neck and sinuses can quickly spring into action and chase that headache away!
11. Help Kids Get on the Ball. The next time Junior is a little unresponsive to all that is going on with school and homework, try spritzing a little peppermint on his shirt before study time, placing drop on the tongue or under the nose for improved concentration and alertness.
12. Seep, Soak & Revitalize. After a long day, apply peppermint, let it seep in and then soak in a warm bath or shower. The refreshing peppermint vapor will make you feel cool, relaxed and energized again.
13. Add a Refreshing Kick to Your Tea. Just one drop of peppermint oil can add life to any herbal tea (without having to add lots of sugar) while also aiding in normal digestion or to relieve heartburn.
14. A “Should I Work Out Today?” Antidote. You ask yourself this question. It’s OK. Using peppermint oil prior to exercise immediately awakens your senses and gets you in your right mind so you can crank.
15. A Snack Vendor’s Nightmare. When you get that mid-morning craving, diffuse peppermint oil to reign in the urge to snack on junk food, or anything else that might appear before you.
Cooking & Food
16. Add Zip to All Things Chocolate. Enhance your chocolate in a gazillion ways: gourmet hot chocolate, mint brownie frosting, peppermint bark, peppermint patties, peppermint brownies, peppermint chocolate Bundt cake,
red velvet cupcakes with white chocolate peppermint cream cheese, yum!
17. Brisk, Delightful Confections. Peppermint chiffon cake, homemade candy canes,
butter mints, peppermint ice cream, peppermint glaze over pastries and cookies, and
homemade peppermint patties.
18. Unforgettable Beverages. Peppermint water on ice, peppermint mocha, peppermint tea,
peppermint hot chocolate, that’s right … it’s all delish.
Body & Mind
19. Wake Up Your Mind. Peppermint oil activates the limbic function in your brain. The
limbic function helps control things like emotions and long-term memory and is related to
olfactory structures in your nose.
20. An Itch Fix. If you have the after effects of a sunburn where skin is a little warm and itchy, apply a drop of peppermint oil (mixed with lavender) to cool, soothe and stop itching.
21. Theme Park Relief. If you’ve got that “I my gosh, I can’t believe I just went on a spinning ride” feeling, four or five drops of peppermint rubbed on the stomach can calm stomach muscles and help dispel discomfort.
22. Travel to the Arctic, Without Traveling. When you add a few drops of peppermint to your ice water, it not only improves the taste, but also leaves you with a feeling of cool, refreshing arctic wind in your airways!
23. Burrow No More. If you find a tick has decided to make your skin its home, just give that tick a nice bath of peppermint oil with a cotton swab. The tick will stop burrowing, remove its head and then he’s yours.
24. Don’t Make It Easy on the Critters. Many household bugs do not like peppermint oil -- ants, aphids, beetles, plant lice, mice and cockroaches try to steer clear of peppermint. Just add to water in a spray bottle and spray
where you think pests grace you with their presence!
25. Clean Naturally. Peppermint oil is a wonderful natural cleaning agent because it has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Spray on counter tops and bathroom surfaces, scrub, and enjoy cleaner clean.
26. Sleep Like a Baby. If you find you are having a hard time sleeping, peppermint oil helps activate cold-sensitive receptors in the skin and mucosal tissues. When used this way, it may help
with insomnia.
27. Quell Apathy. When you’re with someone who feels gloomy or like they
“just don’t care”, ask them to try peppermint oil (aromatically, topically, or
internally) to stimulate their mental sharpness and focus.
28. It’s About a State of Mind. Someone’s mental outlook can be a game
changer. If they are shocked, stressed out or nervous, peppermint oil may
help restore feelings of normalcy and balance.
29. Tame a Toothache. Peppermint oil can act as a concentrated natural pain killer and muscle relaxant, especially with painful gums, teething or recent dental work.
30. Alleviate Internal Strife. When used topically or internally, peppermint is a favorite for fresh relief from cramping, indigestion to diarrhea. Skip the antacids and go with peppermint oil!31. For That “Marathon in Clogs” Feeling. When you feel like you’ve just run a marathon in clogs, and your feet are a hot mess of ouch, massage peppermint oil onto aching feet, joints, and strained muscles.
32. Leap from Lethargic. Feeling lethargic or in a brain fog? Peppermint has been known to improve blood
circulation and awareness, leaving you with an energized, awake feeling.
33. Go Eight-Leg Free. When you diffuse peppermint into the room, you’ll notice fewer spiders. Why? They don’t like it. It’s safe, contains no harsh chemicals or pesticides. It doesn’t kill the spiders, but forces them out.
