Mint is a widely used herb because of its refreshing property. Mint Essential Oil is one of many products that use mint as one of their principal ingredients. It has many uses: in cookery, in treating certain illnesses and in pharmaceuticals. Mouthwashes, toothpastes, soaps and creams use mint for its refreshing menthol effect.
Mint leaves are easy to grow, but if you are not inclined in growing your own plants, you can easily buy mint leaves in the grocery store if you wish to make your own homemade Mint Essential Oil. But if DIY projects are not your forte, there are a lot of sources where you can get your very own Mint Essential Oil.
Mint Essential Oil has many health and aesthetic benefits. You can get them just by diluting several drops of the oil into your drinking water and other beverages. Mint has a cooling and calming effect, and this alone has several advantages to anyone who uses it. Many people love incorporating mint into the products they use, and what better way to do that than by using Mint Essential Oil. There are no more leaves to sift afterwards.
Mint is one of many varieties made into essential oils. Spearmint and Peppermint Essential Oils are also from the mint family. But each of them has their own benefits and uses. One thing they all have in common is they have advantageous effects to users when they are used accordingly.
Mint Essential Oil Benefits
Mint’s cooling effect is one of the reasons why many people use Mint Essential Oil. Here are the benefits you can get from mint oil.
- Mint promotes better digestion. When a stomach suffers from inflammation or indigestion, mint oil can reverse its effects.
- It relieves headache and nausea. The cooling aroma of mint oil effectively gets rid of these two symptoms. Inhaling Mint Essential Oil will do the trick. You can also rub diluted mint oil on the forehead to relieve headaches.
- Clears the airways. The strong menthol in mint oil effective clears the airways of mucus, making it easier to breathe. Respiratory problems such as cough and colds are treated.
- It relieves asthma. Because the airways are cleared of mucus and other particles, people suffering from asthma get relief when using mint oil. It gets rid of congestion and relaxes the body.
- Aids in painless breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can cause cracks on the nipples, thereby making it hard or nearly impossible to breastfeed without feeling any pain. Mint oil can be applied onto the nipples to relieve pain.
- Reduces fatigue and depression. The smell of mint oil is enough to energize the spirit and stimulate positive and cheerful thoughts. People with depression and those suffering from fatigue benefit greatly from this kind of essential oil.
- Gets rid of acne. Mint Essential Oil possesses antiseptic properties. Acne is cured when using diluted mint oil directly onto them. It makes the healing process a lot faster.
- It helps in retaining memory. Memory loss is alleviated when mint oil is used, especially those who have a hard time retaining information.
- It aids in weight loss. Mint being a stimulant, using its oil version makes digestion more effective. Better digestion also equates to faster weight loss.
- Breath is fresher. Using toothpaste and mouthwash with menthol is effective in making breath fresh. But if aided with mint oil, there is no doubt that oral is will be greatly improved.
- Fever and allergies are cured. Chemicals that cause seasonal allergies and fever are warded off my mint oil, making it possible for sufferers to enjoy allergy season without fear of contracting any.
- It can help prevent cancer. Thanks to the compounds found in mint oil, certain cancers are prevented from attacking the body.
Mint Essential Oil is beneficial to almost anyone who uses it. Its health benefits are aplenty, as well as other benefits such as cosmetic and aesthetic. Using the right amount of diluted Mint Essential Oil for every purpose will greatly improve its effectiveness on the body. Excessive use, however, may cause negative reactions to the body.
Mint Essential Oil Uses
- Mint Essential Oil as Flavoring. It is a popular additive to food and beverages for its cooling and refreshing effect. Many dishes use mint oil to add a spike of flavoring, and beverages – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – make use of mint oil to add pizzazz to the taste.
- Mint Essential Oil as a Medicinal Aid. Mint Essential Oil is generally good for the whole body. It promotes better health of the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. It can act as a sedative and a cleanser for the blood. Mint oil possesses antibacterial and antiseptic properties, which are essential in the faster healing process of wounds and infections.
- Mint Essential Oil as a Beauty Aid. Mint oil can be added to cosmetics and pharmaceuticals such as lotions, soaps, moisturizers, creams and many more. This is to give the products a cool and calming effect when applied.
Mint Essential Oil Side Effects
Mint Essential Oil is generally safe for use. But it should be noted that it should not be used undiluted, especially if being ingested or applied topically onto skin. Doing so may cause allergic and negative reactions to the body, depending on how it is used. Lathering undiluted mint oil all over the body may not only cause allergic reactions such as irritation and rashes, but the oils menthol may result in a burning sensation especially when used in large amounts. Using mint at night is also not advisable as it can keep the person awake. This is due to the refreshing scent of the oil.
How to Use Mint Essential Oil
Mint Essential Oil should always be diluted in water if being used on skin or if it is to be ingested. If mint oil is going to be applied onto the skin, a few drops of it in water should be enough for the cooling effect to penetrate the skin, but not so much as it may irritate the skin.
How to Make Mint Essential Oil
Steam distillation is the process by which Mint Essential Oil is produced. A distiller has two main compartments – the water compartment and the leaf compartment. The water flask sits on the bottom of the distiller where it will be heated to produce steam. The steam will then penetrate the leaf compartment directly above the water flask and then the oil will be extracted from the mint leaves and will course to another flask in the distiller.
Mint Essential Oil Recipe
If you want to make your own Mint Essential Oil instead of buying a ready-made one, you can easily do so, using these ingredients and following these steps.
Ingredients:
- Mint leaves
- Carrier oil
- Jar
- Cheesecloth
- Container
Procedure:
- Wash the mint leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt and impurities. Let them dry.
- Crush the leaves and place them in the jar together with the carrier oil. Crushing the leaves will release the oil.
- Ensure that the leaves are completely submerged in the carrier oil.
- Close the jar lid tightly and let it sit for 24 hours.
- Strain the oil using cheesecloth and transfer the mint oil into another container.
Where to Buy Mint Essential Oil
You can buy Mint Essential Oil wherever essential oils are sold. They can either be in drugstores, supermarkets and online. You can find many Mint Essential Oil suppliers over the Internet. You can choose which brand has the best ingredients and will benefit you the most. You can also make your own homemade version.
Mint Essential Oil FAQs
Is Mint Essential Oil safe for pregnant and nursing women?
Although mint oil does not have harmful components in it, it is still advisable to consult a practitioner who has a wide knowledge of essential oil use in these situations. And every person may vary with their reaction with the essential oil, so monitoring its use will prevent any negative reactions from occurring that may also harm the baby as well as the mother.
Can mint oil be used on children?
When used sparingly and diluted with carrier oil or with water, it is safe for children’s use. Make sure though that the essential oil is out of children’s reach to avoid any untoward incidents involving the oil.
Can Mint Essential Oil interfere with other medications?
For those who are already taking prescription medications, it is advised that the opinion of an expert practitioner be sought. Some components of both the medication and the mint oil may have negative reactions to each other, making it dangerous for the person to use them at the same time.
Can mint oil be applied to sensitive areas such as the eyes and nose?
Keep the mint oil away from the eyes and nose as it can cause irritation on the membranes. The menthol in the oil can be very irritating especially if a large amount is applied. When it comes in contact with sensitive areas and irritation persists, the next best course is to consult a doctor.
