4 Benefits and Uses of Peppermint Essential Oil

 As we trot along on our essential oil journey, we are making a stop at peppermint. Peppermint is probably the second essential oil I would buy if I were starting my essential oil collection. It has many wonderful properties, not to mention a smell that conjures up thoughts of candy canes, warm cozy fires and hot chocolate!

Here are my top 4 reasons you should have peppermint essential oil in your home.

1. Repels spiders, rodents and fleas
2. Expectorant - relieve congestion and coughs.
3. Helps relieve headaches
4. Has antimicrobial and antiviral properties

And here are my top 4 ways to use peppermint in your home:

Make your own spider and flea repellent spray.

Put 8-10 drops of peppermint oil into a spray bottle and top it off with some water, preferably distilled. Spray around doorways, windows and baseboards and allow to dry. This spray can also be used on dog beds to repel fleas.

Make your own flea-repelling dog shampoo.

Put 8-10 drops of peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Add 1/4 cup of castile soap and top off with water. Hose your dog down. Spray on the shampoo, lather him up and rinse him off.

Make a steam inhalation treatment for congestion and coughs.

In a big bowl of steaming hot water, drop in 1-2 drops of peppermint oil. Cover your head with a towel, and breathe in the menthol vapors. This will help clear up congestion by loosening up mucus. I use this method on myself and my hubs only. For my kiddos, I turn on a hot shower and put the drops on the shower floor. Then they can inhale the steamy goodness while they are playing cars on the bathroom floor 

Make your own headache relief.

Mix 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with 1/2 cup of olive oil (whatever you have in the pantry). Massage this on your neck and temples.

I hope you enjoy your peppermint EO journey!

A few peppermint essential oil products you'll enjoy:

                                                       
peppermint vanilla                   peppermint vanilla                    peppermint vanilla
Cleansing Scrub                   Natural Stone Cleaner              All Purpose Cleaner