Peppermint

Peppermint has become one of the most-used oils in my stash. I initially started using it to make my water taste interesting, because anything to get me to drink more water is worth it, but I have found many other uses:

Allergies

Breathing in peppermint is an effective way to kill coughy/sneezy junk quickly. Putting it on the back of the neck and on the hands is a good way to keep the fragrance close. I like to put my pepperminty hands over my nose and take a deep breath. Combine with lavender for an added boost.

Combine peppermint, lemon, and lavender together in a capsule for allergy relief. 

(See the post on allergies for more details.)

Nausea

Rubbing straight peppermint on the stomach area kills that queasy, nauseous feeling quickly. It burns a little bit, much like Icy Hot. Also, put a drop on your tongue or finger, and hold on the roof of your mouth for 10-20 seconds.

Acid Reflux

Put a drop in water or tea, and drink after an acidic meal. Put a drop on your tongue or finger, and hold on the roof of your mouth. 

Also, rub a drop over your esophagus area or stomach or wherever you're feeling the burn.

Headaches

Use by itself or with lavender. Put a drop on the back of your neck, and rub some on the temples. Don't get close to your eyes!

I have read about other uses, but these are the ones that I have experienced firsthand. More to come soon!

Allergy Remedies

Allergy Remedies

Recipe 1: The Allergy Bomb

2 drops lavender


2 drops lemon


2 drops peppermint

Put these in a capsule, and take as needed. This is great for sniffy, sneezy, runny nose kind of allergies. 

If it doesn’t work, just up the dosage. I have put up to 5 of each in a capsule. 

A friend of mine puts two drops of each into a shot of organic cranberry juice and downs it in one gulp to get the oils in the bloodstream faster. I prefer capsules, because lavender tastes pretty horrid.

Recipe 2: Congestion Killer

1 drop cypress on the back of the neck and on the bottom of each foot

1 drop peppermint on the back of the neck and on each foot

This one works wonders for me. Cleared up my nose in about 2-3 minutes, and it lasted for 6-7 hours. It was like taking a Benadryl or Sudafed without the drowsy/groggy feeling. Also, cypress smells kind of manly, so that was a bonus for me.

Recipe 3: Quick Relief

1 drop lavender on the back of the neck and fingertips

1 drop peppermint on the back of the neck and fingertips

Put your fingers near your nose and breathe in the oils. I knocked out a sneezing attack immediately with just the peppermint (didn’t have my lavender handy). You can diffuse these as well, but if you need immediate relief, do the fingertip trick.