Peppermint Essential Oil -- The Unsung Hero of Sinus Support, Athletics, and Focus
Oh peppermint essential oil how I love your minty ways. Yes I am a peppermint person. I love the invigorating, uplifting, herbal scent of peppermint essential oil. It wakes me up, boosts my spirit, and smells oh so wonderful.
But peppermint essential oil does more than just smell good. It offers a bounty of benefits from respiratory support to focus and even can support your athletic endeavors. Oh peppermint essential oil you're wonderful!
Sinus Support:
In her book "Clinical Aromatherapy" Jane Buckle mentions that steaming with peppermint essential twice per day over the course of five days immensely helped people with sinus issues and infections. Symptoms improved and germs were thwarted. If you suffer from sinus issues, sinus infections, or allergies the combination of hot steam and essential oils can really help open airways, kill germs, and soothe sinuses.
To steam you'll need a ceramic or stainless steel bowl filled with hot water, ONE DROP of essential oil or blend (seriously -- that is all you need), a towel to cover your head, and tissues.
Add a drop of essential oil to the steaming water, close your eyes, bring your face near the bowl, and cover your head with a towel. Take breaks as needed but aim to steam for 5 to 15 minutes.
It's easy and effective -- but to work you'll need to make sure you steam a couple of times a day over the course of a few days.
Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol and menthone. These compounds have antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus steaming with peppermint essential oil can help kill germs and soothe airways.
And of course it smells wonderful.
Improved Athletic Performance: In addition to fighting germs and soothing aches peppermint essential oil has been shown to boost athletic performance. Athletes and exercise enthusiasts of the world rejoice!
So if you're looking for a safe and legal competitive edge or simply want to boost your workout peppermint essential oil may help.
Several studies suggest that peppermint essential oil can improve lung function and improve glucose metabolism. In effect studies suggest that inhaling peppermint essential oil can improve running times and lessen feelings of fatigue.(1, 2, 3,4) What's not to like?
So if you are looking to boost your exercise routine or need a race day boost inhaling peppermint essential oil may give you what you're looking for.
I discuss this even more in the April issue of Aromaculture. Visit https://www.aromaculture.com/ in April to check out the article.
Peppermint for Focus and Productivity: If you've ever smelled peppermint essential oil you may note that it is invigorating. Menthol opens airways and stimulates the central nervous system.
If you are looking to feel more alert, support focus and productivity peppermint essential oil may help. Some studies have linked peppermint essential oil and focus and productivity. (5)
Personally, I've used peppermint essential oil as a pick me up to start my day, while driving if I'm feeling tired, or if I'm dragging mid day. The strong minty aroma of peppermint always perks me up!
And we haven't even mentioned digestive support! Peppermint essential oil, like many essential oils has a plethora of benefits. It's safe for adults and generally safe but is suggested to avoid with children 5 and under and contraindicated in case of cardiac fibrillation and for G6PD deficiency. There is a perception that menthol-rich oils can potentially affect blood clotting, but according to Robert Tisserand, it is not sufficient to be cautioned against anticoagulant medication. Essential oils are potent concentrated plant extracts. Yes they are safe and natural, but use with respect. Dilute essential oils appropriately before applying to the skin and use with caution around children, elderly, and those in frail condition. Consult a certified or clinical aromatherpist if you have questions.
If you are curios about essential oils, aromatherapy, or using peppermint to support mood, soothe sinus issues, or support focus, feel free to contact me or stop by the shop in Old Town Temecula.
Aromatic Blessings,
Tricia
1. Nidal Amin Jaradat, Hamzeh Al Zabadi, Belal Rahhal, Azmi Mahmoud Ali Hussein, Jamal Shaker Mahmoud, Basel Mansour, Ahmad Ibrahim Khasati and Abdelkhaleq Issa (2016), The effect of inhalation of Citrus sinensis flowers and Mentha spicata leave essential oils on lung function and exercise performance: a quasi-experimental uncontrolled before-and-after study; Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 13 (36)
2. MacKenzie CM, Hedge A. Is peppermint an ergogenic Aid to athletic performance? Rev Hum Factors Ergon. 2005;49:1229–33.
3. Raudenbush B, Corley N, Eppich W. Enhancing athletic performance through the administration of peppermint odor. J Sport Exercise Psychol. 2001; 23(2):156–60.
4. Zhiyue Li, Fengzhi Wu, Haozhen Shao, Yu Zhang, Angran Fan,and Feng Li (2017), Does the Fragrance of Essential Oils Alleviate the Fatigue Induced by Exercise? A Biochemical Indicator Test in Rats, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Vol 2017 Article ID: Article ID 5027372, 7 pages, http://doi.org/10.1155/2017%2F5027372
5. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/67b5/eb86636e356790e7ce871a0851729ed3160e.pdf?_ga=2.243309634.63707478.1553058245-1075376553.1546551743&_gac=1.150653442.1553058312.EAIaIQobChMImezwxOGC3QIVB5ztCh2IjwTaEAAYASAAEgIDFvD_BwE
