Using natural solutions and remedies is something people have done since there were humans on earth. It wasn’t until recently in our history that we began manufacturing man-made products with synthetic ingredients. I prefer that things be made and left as close to how they are when they are out in nature, I do not like my ingredients to be tampered with, manipulated, altered, or adulterated. This attitude of closeness to the way nature made something probably came from my grandfather’s farm, when we drank raw milk daily from his barn. When I was in my early twenties I stopped drinking milk due to digestive problems unless it was raw. I have since discovered that pasteurization is not only very unhealthy but it was only a way to keep milk from making us potentially very sick through improper handling when traveling long distances. In my mind, this is a human flaw, not a problem with a food. Humans can be very careless and this is where problems usually arise.
Apple cider is another example, it wasn’t until ‘lazy people’ started picking apples up off the ground and making cider with them that we had problems. Now it’s impossible to find real apple cider. I do not find the pasteurized cider to considered an edible food, all the goodness has been removed, not to mention it tastes absolutely disgusting.
As we make our advances in technology and so forth and move even further away from to our connection and wisdom as to how not to do things I find we lose something. That something I believe is our instinctual and handed-down wisdom about how to live more fully with the natural world around us. We also easily forget how to recognize something in its purest state, how to use it effectively, and how to use it safely. We get careless, other humans change things thinking it is for our own well-being, and we don’t spend time teaching our kids the wise things they should know so they can continued to be carried into the next generation and so on.
I want to use the safe use of Peppermint essential oil because I have heard and read some things that people do that are, in my opinion, simply off-the-wall. So I’d like to try to restore some information that appears to be getting lost in the shuffle so that people can begin to view all-natural things in a more clear light and not risk doing something that’s not so smart.
I also want to mention that essential oil quality and knowing how to tell if the essential oil you’re using is the best or if it’s junk (regardless of the price) – knowing the difference and only using a superior quality essential oil is imperative. In other words, I don’t want you to use an aromatherapy oil following any of the below guidelines, junk is junk and shouldn’t be purchased or used for any purpose. I only use, talk about, and recommend the best, Young Living.
Peppermint and Children
- Peppermint is considered too powerful for the children under two (spearmint is usually used in moderation instead and can be helpful with tummy trouble).
- Do not apply Peppermint to infants younger than 18 months of age.
- Never apply topically without diluting with a carrier oil, such as V-6 Massage Oil.
- Generally speaking, the younger the child, the more dilute the concentration of essential oils should be in a bath, inhalation, or application.
- Massage formulas for most children, can contain approximately 1 drop of essential oil per one ounce of carrier oil for each year of age (do not exceed 3 drops though).
- Essential oils rich in menthol (such as peppermint) should not be used on the throat or neck area of children under 30 months of age.
- Avoid contact with eyes, mucus membranes, sensitive skin, fresh wounds/cuts/scrapes, or burns.
- Essential oils should not be given as dietary supplements to children under six years of age.
- When using a diffuser around infants, run only enough essential oil so that the scent can be detected – usually 15-20 minutes with the Essential Oil nebulizer diffuser, a bit longer if you’re using the Ultrasonic diffuser, and pretty much as long as you want with the travel diffuser. Do NOT put the diffuser right next to the infant or small child, typically just being in the same room or house is fine.
Peppermint and Adults
- Avoid contact with eyes, mucus membranes, sensitive skin.
- Epileptics and those with high blood pressure should consult their health care professional before using essential oils. Epileptics should always use caution with hyssop, fennel, basil, wintergreen, nutmeg, rosemary, peppermint, sage, tarragon, and tansy oils.
- Pregnant women should always consult a health care professional.
- Peppermint is NOT for use on burns or open wounds!
- Peppermint is NOT an aid for acid reflux symptoms unless it is taken in a capsule as it can worsen the problem when it is drank or a drop placed in the mouth is swallowed. It is only helpful for acid reflux when it performs its action in the digestive system (not through coating the esophagus).
- Possible Drug Interactions: This is NOT complete and if you are taking drugs ALWAYS check with your doctor and/or pharmacist. Antibiotic: Oxytetracycline, Nitrofurantoin, Antimicrobial and antiplasmid activities of essential oils.
- Patients with achlorhydria (e.g., caused by H2 receptor blocker medication) should use peppermint oil only in enteric-coated capsules (see above about acid reflux).
- Never try to dilute any essential oil on your skin with water. Always dilute with a carrier oil (a fatty oil like: olive, almond, grapeseed, or V-6 Massage Oil).
Safe Ways to Use Peppermint Essential Oil 
Topically
Dilute 1 part peppermint with 2 parts carrier oil (V-6 Massage Oil, olive oil, etc.)
Apply 1-2 drops on location, abdomen, temples, chakras or vitaflex points.
For Bath: Peppermint is one essential oil that is not recommended for bathing purposes. It can be used in a Foot Bath very effectively. Tips and recipes for Corns, Sore Feet and Athlete’s Foot.
I use my peppermint oil when I have a headache. I use less than a full drop on two fingertips (one on each hand) and carefully massage onto my temples (avoiding eye area). I’ve found my headache is totally gone within a few minutes, I like this better than other headache solutions, headache pills make me feel sick to my stomach – so peppermint is a perfect choice for me.
Inhaling
Directly inhale – a drop in palms, rubbed together, cup over nose (without touching the face), inhale slowly and deeply several times.
Inhale 5-10 times a day to curb appetite.
I like inhaling peppermint during classes or long driving trips as it keeps me alert. I also like to put a drop in my glass of water to stay alert too, see below.
Diffusing
Diffuse – in one of the YL diffusers for 10-15 minutes at a time, usually not more than 3-4 times a day.
Peppermint can be mixed with other single essential oils and with other blends in a diffuser – I only use and recommend YL Essential Oils. More on diffusing.
Internally
As a dietary supplement 50-50 (one part peppermint to one part olive oil in a capsule).
To improve concentration/alertness/memory, place 1 drop on the tongue (this will be very strong for many people) or 1 drop in an 8 oz. glass of water (this is tasty for most people).
GRAS – Generally Regarded As Safe by the FDA (learn which YL Essential Oils are safe for cooking and internal use, this does NOT apply to other brands of essential oils).
Many essential oils are more effective when taken orally in very small amounts and should always be diluted in vegetable oil, agave nectar or rice milk. More or less dilution may be required depending upon the age of the person.
As a general rule, dilute 1 drop of essential oil in 1 tsp. of agave nectar or in at least 4 ounces of a beverage.
Usually no more than 2 or 3 drops should be ingested at one time (during any 4-8 hour period). Essential oils are so concentrated, 1-2 drops is often sufficient to achieve significant benefits.
Essential oils should not be given as dietary supplements to children under six years of age.
Toothpick Application in Cooking
Dip end of wooden toothpick into oil and apply to mixtures when one drop of oil is too much.
Peppermint or spearmint oil can be added to chocolate cake, brownies, or frosting, salad dressing, puddings, fruit pies, ice cubes, and beverage recipes. More tips on cooking.
Cleaning and Disinfecting
A few drops of oil may be added to the dishwasher to help disinfect and purify. Some popular oils are pine, orange, tangerine, lemon, and peppermint; although any antibacterial essential oil would work well.
Air Freshener
Fill a 32 oz. spray bottle 7/8 full of water, add 15-20 drops of peppermint to kill unwanted odors. For an additional boost of freshening, use 12 drops of Thieves or Purification and 5-10 drops of peppermint – sure beats those poisonous air fresheners!!!
Insect Repellent
Single oils such as lavender, lemon, peppermint, lemongrass, cypress, Eucalyptus globulus, Cinnamon Bark, thyme, basil, Purification and Thieves can effectively repel many types of insects including mites, lice, and fleas. Peppermint placed on entryways prevents ants from entering. Read my Tiny Ant Story and Repelling Squirrel’s and Rodents.
Peppermint essential oil is a favorite among essential oil user’s for many reasons, it’s quite versatile and beneficial, see Peppermint Studies. This is one essential oil I always have on hand and in my First Aid kit.
Evelyn Vincent
Articles by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766
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"There is nothing in a caterpillar that tells you it's going to be a butterfly." ~ R. Buckminster Fuller
actually prefer the carob ones over the chocolate)
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