Peppermint essential oil in cosmetology and medicine. Peppermint essential oil: properties and uses Peppermint oil properties and uses

All essential oils are extremely popular, which is why they are so often used in aromatherapy, cosmetology, folk medicine, traditional medicine, and everyday life. Among the esters, peppermint oil is especially valued, which is famous for its coolness and ability to calm the nervous system. How else is a composition that can be obtained everywhere used today? Let's study the main aspects one by one.

Effect of mint ether

Not many people know that the oil mixture is obtained by steam distillation of the top part of peppermint. In terms of its external characteristics, the ether is transparent, greenish or slightly yellowish. By smell, you can only confuse mint with lemon balm. The oil smells rich and fresh, just like the plant itself.

We got acquainted with the features, highlight the properties and effects on the human body.

1. Calms the nervous system when used as aromatherapy. Normalizes the psycho-emotional environment, helps cope with depressive disorders and stress.
2. Used to relieve pain, particularly muscle spasms. Relieves pain in joints and ligaments.
3. It is used with great success for toothaches, headaches, and frequent migraines. Removes dependence on the weather, making a person feel much better.
4. Effective for abdominal pain. It is also famous for its anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties. Disinfects the oral cavity, eliminates unpleasant odor.
5. Useful for asthenic disorders, easily eliminates nausea, motion sickness, dizziness and heartburn. Affects brain neurons, stimulating them and improving memory.
6. Valued by people who have difficulties with the respiratory system. Clears the airways of phlegm and mucus, alleviates asthma, pneumonia, and bronchitis.
7. It has antipyretic and diaphoretic properties, therefore it is used to treat colds. Accelerates the outflow of bile, removes excess fluid and fights swelling.
8. Relieves pain during the menstrual cycle, increases hemoglobin levels. Used by athletes to combat muscle spasms, pain in the lower back and joints.
9. Treats rosacea, restores the psyche during emotional stress, increases strength and energy. Relieves chronic fatigue, calms and helps you sleep.
10. Responsible for blood circulation throughout the body, reduces the likelihood of spasms and fragility of blood vessels. Enriches cells with oxygen, improves heart function and cognitive abilities.

Restrictions on use

Each composition has its own list of prohibitions that should not be violated. Peppermint essential oil is not one of the exceptions, so you need to know what restrictions on its use it has.

1. It is strictly forbidden to use the product on the sensitive skin area near the eyes. The epidermis in this area is dehydrated and does not have enough muscle. The oil will cause irritation.
2. If you have an allergic rhinitis, you should stop using peppermint oil. Otherwise, the ether may cause bronchospasms or difficulty breathing.
3. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before using the product in question. Contraindications cannot be excluded.
4. If you cannot stand the aroma of menthol, you should not use this composition for any purpose. Also prohibited for use by children under seven years of age.

Essential oils are useful for rejuvenation; most often, mint extract is added to masks for the face and scalp. The composition treats various problems, including inflammatory processes and fungus.

For face

1. Peppermint ether is widely used to relieve irritation, heal microcracks, and dry out acne. For this purpose, it must be mixed with lavender ether, maintaining a ratio of 1 to 1. The resulting product lubricates the skin locally.
2. The composition also helps relieve itching after insect bites and cure burns from contact with poisonous plants. To help fight psoriasis and eczema, dermatitis, and comedones, mint ether is combined with citrus oil in the same amount. The skin is treated with the product locally.
3. The main value of this type of oil lies in its ability to increase the protective barrier of the epidermis. After use, an invisible film remains on the skin, which prevents the penetration of ultraviolet radiation into the lower layers of the dermis and protects the face from wind, frost, and poor ecology.
4. The ether is used with great benefit in the presence of spider veins and early stages of acne. The difference between this ester and the others is that it does not clog pores and sebaceous ducts. Therefore, sebum production is normalized and shine disappears.
5. To saturate your usual facial cosmetics with antiseptic and rejuvenating properties, 50 g. cream or lotion, just add 1 drop of ether.
6. If for unknown reasons you cannot use tea tree ether, it is replaced with peppermint oil. The ether is combined with a couple of drops of tocopherol in ampoules, then rubbed over problem areas of the face.

For hair

1. Peppermint essential oil is widely used in medical applications. The oil has good antispasmodic and analgesic properties. The product relieves muscle spasms and pain. Ether oil is often prescribed to patients for the treatment of pain syndromes of various types.
2. In addition to the described properties, ether copes well with severe headaches. To cope with the problem, you should combine 25 ml. base oil with 2 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and begin to rub the composition into the temple area with massaging movements.
3. To cope with the symptoms of a cold and significantly alleviate the patient’s condition, you should use a simple recipe. Body temperature will also decrease. To combat fever, mix warm peppermint oil (3 drops) and 30 ml in a suitable cup. coconut Rub the prepared product onto your feet, neck and legs.
4. It is also worth noting that the product, prepared from equal parts of oils, perfectly fights inflammatory processes in the oral cavity and effectively eliminates toothache. Swelling on the gums disappears. Rub the composition into the oral mucosa.
5. Regular use of ether will help eliminate spasms in the large intestine. As a result, indigestion goes away and the symptoms of bloating go away. To cope with the problem, dilute it in 230 ml. water at room temperature 1 drop of mint oil. Take the drink 20 minutes before your meal.
6. To get rid of bad breath, you should prepare a similar solution. Only the amount of ether needs to be increased to 3 drops. Rinse your mouth with the solution after waking up and before going to bed.
7. The product performed well in the fight against fears, increased anxiety and nervousness. To improve a person’s psycho-emotional background, it is enough to fill the aroma pendant with peppermint ether and wear the jewelry daily. An oil-soaked handkerchief is an alternative. Inhale the aroma regularly.
8. As mentioned earlier, the product perfectly helps to quickly overcome colds and coughs. It is recommended to add the oil to baths, make inhalations and all kinds of compresses based on it.
9. The oil is most beneficial for nausea. The composition helps to recover faster after surgery and chemotherapy. To do this, just add 2 drops of ether into a glass of water. Take the drink twice a day. The oil can also be rubbed into the area behind the ear. This move helps fight nausea.

Peppermint essential oil in aromatherapy

1. Systematic use of mint product in aroma pendants and aroma lamps helps fight appetite. This way you won’t have another desire to have something to eat. As an alternative, it is recommended to rub the oil on your wrists.
2. Aromatherapy is considered an excellent tool in the prevention and treatment of various viral ailments. The pleasant aroma effectively cleanses the airways and reduces sore throat. The oil has proven itself well against bronchial asthma, sinusitis, and bronchitis.
3. Regular inhalation of mint essential oil will help relieve nervous tension after a hard day at work. The psycho-emotional background of a person noticeably strengthens. You become more stress-resistant and calm, regardless of the situation. Wear an aroma pendant.

Peppermint essential oil has unique qualities and a pleasant aroma. The oil has performed well in various areas. With proper use of the composition, you can achieve the desired results. The pleasant aroma and unique composition allow a person to normalize mental and physical health.

Video: mint essential oil

Peppermint was known back in Ancient Greece. There is a legend about the origin of mint. Once upon a time there lived a nymph named Meta, who was in love with the stern Hades, the ruler of the dark and gloomy underworld. Persephone, his wife, having learned about her rival, instantly destroyed her. At the site of the death of the girl Meta, a luxurious bush grew, which was given the name “mint”.

What is peppermint?

Today, humanity knows more than 300 varieties of mint, but only a tenth is used in practice. In folk medicine, among all varieties, only one is used - peppermint. And this is not surprising. It, unlike its relatives, has a high content of menthol, which has numerous unique properties.

Peppermint belongs to plants from the Blue family (this family also includes basil, rosemary, sage, lemon balm). Its stem is tetrahedral, the leaves are round in shape, without stipules. The root system is horizontal, woody type.

The plant contains the most menthol before and during active flowering, so the leaves and stem should be collected on time. Later, when the growth of the plant actively accelerates, the healing properties partially fade away. The best time to collect mint is July-early August. According to research data, the leaves contain 2.5% menthol, and the stem contains about 4%. After collection, plant elements should be dried in a ventilated area. Storage duration is two years.

Peppermint essential oil can be prepared at home. First you need to choose a base. She can use wheat germ oil or almond oil. Next, pick the mint leaves, wash them and dry them for several days. After this, put it in a plastic bag and beat it with a kitchen hammer until the juice comes out. Now transfer the contents into a glass container, adding the prepared oil. Mix all ingredients and leave for the whole day.

After this, you need to strain the oil through a fine sieve to remove solid elements. Add crushed mint to the resulting viscous liquid again. Perform the procedure three times. Menthol healing potion is ready!

Beneficial properties of peppermint oil

Peppermint oil has so many beneficial and medicinal qualities that it is difficult to mention them all. Each ingredient that makes up a plant has a specific effect on the human body.

Table “Properties of peppermint oil”

Medical uses of peppermint oil

As mentioned above, peppermint oil is widely used in the perfume, pharmaceutical and food industries, and it is also used to impart a minty taste and aroma to drinks, food, candies and candies. In addition, it is added to cosmetic products.

Even ancient healers noticed that peppermint oil is an effective analgesic and antispasmodic, and its application to the skin helps reduce pain and involuntary muscle tension.

Peppermint oil – properties and medicinal uses:

1. Headache. It is recommended to apply a few drops to the pads of the index fingers of the left and right hands, then rub into the temporal area for ten minutes.
2. Fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. Rub the oil over the skin and make a light relaxing massage. The pain will decrease almost immediately; the effect of the natural analgesic in this case will not last long.
3. Colds, fever. To improve your condition and speed up recovery, you need to add three drops of mint to a tablespoon of coconut oil. Rub the resulting mixture onto the neck, behind the ear area, popliteal and elbow fossae, shins and soles. Also, a healing viscous liquid can be used for toothache. To do this, simply apply and rub the oil into the painful gum.
4. The healing drug is used for colon spasms, bloating and diarrhea. It's easy to prepare. To do this, add a drop of mint oil to a glass of room water and drink it before eating. A more concentrated solution (three drops per glass of water) can remove bad breath by morning and evening rinses.
5. In case of severe anxiety, fear, neurosis or psycho-emotional stress, it will be enough to apply a few drops on a handkerchief and slowly inhale the mint vapor.

In addition, the viscous aromatic liquid can be added to baths. This helps relieve evening fatigue and overstrain.

For painful menstruation

To relieve pain and cramps during menstruation, you can use a special cream that contains herbal healing ingredients. To do this, combine a few drops of mint, sage and rose oils, and then add 10 ml of melted butter. Mix everything and wait until it thickens. Gently rub the lower abdomen with light massaging movements. The massage should not be aggressive, otherwise it may increase the heaviness of menstruation.

For rinsing the mouth

The rinse has an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect. It also helps maintain fresh breath for a long time. To prepare a miracle remedy, you will need half a glass of distilled water, two teaspoons of soda, a few drops of mint and tea tree oil. Be sure to shake before use! Rinse your mouth three times a day, half an hour after eating.

Peppermint oil has many positive aspects. Firstly, it has numerous healing properties. Secondly, it is well tolerated by patients, and thirdly, it has a relatively low cost. Thanks to all these qualities, the oil is widely used in cosmetology.

For hair

Essential peppermint oil gently cares for oily scalp, eliminates dandruff, strengthens hair roots, promotes shine and active growth. The liquid healing agent can be added to “store-bought” shampoos, rinses and masks (no more than two drops at a time).

Peppermint oil for hair (several recipes that you can make at home yourself):

1. Hair rinse. You need to take a few tablespoons of freshly picked mint and pour a glass of boiling water over it. Leave for ten minutes, then strain. Immediately before use, add a few drops of essential oil to the rinse. The product can be used after every hair wash.

2. Mask for normal and oily hair. To prepare such a mask, you should prepare, in addition to mint oil, lemon and two chicken eggs. Separate the whites from the yolks, beat the latter until a foamy mass forms. We won't need squirrels. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and four drops of mint oil to the resulting mass. Mix all ingredients. Distribute the mixture onto clean hair, wrap with film and leave for twenty minutes. After the time has passed, rinse the head with water at room temperature (it is not recommended to use warm and hot water to prevent the yolk from curdling).

During the procedures, it is important to prevent mint from getting into your eyes. If this happens, then you need to thoroughly rinse the mucous membrane.

For face

Essential oil helps relieve inflammation on the epidermis, soothes irritation and severe itching (for example, after an insect bite). In addition, it can still be used in the fight against acne and pimples, there is even evidence of effective treatment against psoriasis and eczema spots.

Recipes for using peppermint oil for facial skin care:

1. For dry skin types. Beat the yolk of a chicken egg, add a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of lemon juice, a little vegetable oil and a few drops of mint oil. After all ingredients are completely dissolved, place the nourishing mask on a clean face. After 15 minutes, rinse off and soak the skin with a terry towel.

2. For redness and inflammation of the face. Combine a teaspoon of jojoba oil and the same amount of liquid vitamin E. Add a few drops of pepper oil. Mix. Apply overnight to problem areas of the skin.

People suffering from allergic rhinitis should not apply a scented product to their face. Otherwise, unpleasant reactions such as nasal congestion, watery eyes, sneezing, and breathing problems may occur.

For lips

The mucous membrane of the lips is very thin, so it is often injured and dries out. In addition, it is prone to chapping on cold and frosty days. This does not at all decorate a person; moreover, such injuries are very painful!

And here essential oil can also come to the rescue. It optimally relieves irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane, moisturizes the sensitive membrane of the lips. Before going outside, just apply a few drops to avoid chapping or drying out.

Essential oil also inhibits the development of herpes on the lips. When a painful pimple appears, it is recommended to apply a few drops to the “sore”. The remedy, although not as effective as an antiviral ointment, nevertheless, the effect still appears.

Contraindications to the use of oil

Despite the numerous beneficial properties of the mint product, it is not suitable for everyone. There are certain contraindications that should be taken into account before applying the product to the skin or taking it orally. It is best to consult with your doctor so that with a clear conscience and without imaginary thoughts you can make a hair mask or, for example, remove bad breath.

• Use with caution in case of hypotension. Mint has sedative properties, so blood pressure can be significantly reduced.
• During pregnancy, you should not use this medicinal plant. It has been proven that the substances that make up mint penetrate the uteroplacental barrier, which can harm the fetus to a certain extent.
• If a woman is breastfeeding, then she is also not recommended to use mint in any form. The fact is that bitterness, ether and other components can penetrate into milk. This leads to a decrease in taste and, as a result, the child refuses to feed.

Peppermint oil is contraindicated for children under six years of age and especially for infants. Persons suffering from bronchial asthma, pathologies of the central nervous system, impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver should use the essential healing product with caution.

Peppermint oil is a universal remedy that can be used to treat, rejuvenate skin and hair, giving it a healthy and natural look. It is also worth highlighting another positive aspect. Essential peppermint oil, unlike “chemical” cosmetics and drugs, is an environmentally friendly product that does not have a toxic effect on the body. Thus, without “clogging” the internal organs, you can safely use it for noble purposes.