The scent of peppermint reminds us of candy and herbal tea creating fun and pleasant memories. Did you know that peppermint is one of the best pain relievers? Peppermint Essential Oil has a very special property. It is a refrigerant. This means that it can bring a deep cold sensation to any area of the body. You can think of peppermint oil as an ice bag in a bottle.

If you were to fall or sustain an injury, peppermint applied to the area will cause a cold sensation that will minimize or stop swelling. Swelling creates heat and the peppermint absorbs the heat diminishing the inflammation. Recovery time is lessened. Wherever you find heat in the body, there is usually pain. Applying peppermint will take the heat out and will diminish the inflammation reducing pain.

How do I get the peppermint onto the site? Can I just drop some peppermint onto the inflammation.? Yes, particularly if you are out in the world and have sustained an injury. The ideal solution is to add the peppermint to a fatty oil like olive oil. Some people can have a mild skin reaction if peppermint is placed on skin without a fatty oil or carrier. This oil blend can be rubbed into any part of the body safely except the eyes.

You can easily make this blend of oil and peppermint yourself. Here at Gritman we like using fractionated coconut oil for our fatty oil or carrier. Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature. Fractionated coconut oil has been distilled like an essential oil. It only contains the very light parts that stay liquid at room temperature. This oil does not go rancid like other fatty oils, will not stain or stay in your clothes, and has no major scent of its own like olive oil. This makes it an ideal for blending.

How much peppermint do I add to the coconut oil?  Gritman sells 4oz bottles of Fractionated Coconut Oil which is an ideal size. All you need to do is add 60 drops of peppermint essential oil to the 4oz bottle. Shake and you are ready to apply. You may add more peppermint if you like it stronger.

You can use this peppermint body oil to relieve tension headaches, stop the pain of sunburns, relieve menoplausal hot flashes, diminish pain due to swelling as in arthritis, stop swelling and pain from sport injuries or accidents, and reduce heat as in fevers. Drop several drops of your peppermint body oil onto the symptomatic area. For headaches drop on the back of the neck and at the temples. Rub into the area. You should notice a diminishing of pain within minutes. If you do not, apply a little more. For all over body relief, 20 drops in a warm bath will bring relief.

For body rashes and reactions such a poison ivy, peppermint reduces pain and itching promoting rapid healing.  Insects like mosquitoes create bites that can become very itchy. A little peppermint on the inflammed site stops itching and will lessen the risk of infection. The added benefit of using peppermint is that it also repels insects.

Of course you should never self treat. Consult a physician if you do not get relief. Peppermint is safe to use with children especially when they have tummy upset. A little rubbed into the tummy front and back will settle the ache. Gritman sells 2 peppermints. The peppermint from the midwest is a cooler oil while the peppermint from the northwest is a sweeter peppermint. If you want an especially cooling peppermint, Cornmint is a good choice. Cornmint is used like peppermint in the East.

Peppermint is one of the most versatile essential oils in an aromatherapist’s tool kit. It relieves pain of headaches, body and tummy aches, arthritic pain and stiffness, itching, and reduces fevers and inflammation. Peppermint is save and simple to use.