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by Alexandra Heep

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Peppermint essential oil (mentha piperita) is not to be confused with spearmint essential oil. The latter has a much lower menthol content and is made of course from the spearmint plant. Only the above the ground parts of the peppermint plant are used to extract peppermint essential oil. This has to be done just before flowering.

Peppermint essential oil has analgesic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, expectorant, decongestant, anti-inflammatory, anti-infectious, anti-fungal, digestive, and invigorating properties. The most widely known properties are generally its nausea-fighting abilities, which include vertigo and dizziness.

One of the most popular ways to use peppermint essential oil is to simply use it in an oil burner or vaporizer. It is a stimulating oil and helps concentration. Using peppermint essential oil in vapor therapy also helps with coughs, headaches, and nausea. The best way to use an oil burner is to add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to water, or a carrier oil like jojoba. For vaporizers, simply follow the manufacturer's instructions included with the product.

Peppermint essential oil makes an excellent remedy for back pain, muscular pain, headaches, rheumatism, and other inflammatory conditions. A blended massage or bath oil works very well in these instances. To prepare, add 15 drops of peppermint essential oil to one ounce of carrier oil, such as jojoba. Even a simple salad oil, such as sunflower, will work. This makes enough oil for three baths. This blend can also be used to ease colic, cramps, constipation, diarrhea, nausea, catarrh and coughs.

Add peppermint essential oil to an unscented lotion base to treat sunburn, red and inflamed skin, and itchiness. This makes it a perfect lotion during the hot summer months. Unscented lotion base can be bought in health food stores or ordered on-line.

If you suffer from bad breath or gum infections, a rinse made with peppermint essential oil may be just the help you need. Add eleven drops of this oil to one tablespoon of brandy and rinse - please do not swallow!

Peppermint essential oil will also keep spiders and ants away. Simply use drops of the oil along the bottom of your door frames. If you prefer, you can make a spray by adding 50 drops of the oil to two ounces of vodka, shake really well and then add four ounces of distilled water and shake again.

Not only is this spray good to deter the bugs, but it will make your house smell nice. You can also spray this in your car (keep away from polished surfaces, spraying the floorboards is a good idea) to keep motion sickness at bay.

This oil can be bought in health food stores or purchased on-line. One good site is http://www.essentialoils.co.za /index.htm, which was used as a reference for some of the information contained above.

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