We have all been familiar with the wonderful plant Mint since childhood. This includes the usual refreshing taste of mint toothpaste, fragrant mint gingerbread cookies and lollipops, healthy soothing mint tea, and there is even a shade of green called “mint.” How much do you know about the very healthy oil that is obtained from this plant? If not, then you will receive a lot of new and useful information about mint oil, its medicinal properties and the most effective ways to use it in everyday life and cosmetology.
Medicinal properties
Due to the menthol content, mint ether has high antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This common remedy of traditional and folk medicine is successfully used to lower high fever, normalize heart rhythm and blood pressure, treat and disinfect burns, colds and skin diseases, gallbladder and urinary tract diseases, nervous breakdowns, epileptic seizures, and also to combat seizures nausea, fainting and toothache.
Below we present the most popular recipes for the medicinal use of peppermint oil.
To increase heart rate and lower blood pressure, it is recommended to take a warm bath with peppermint essential oil or rub it on your body.
In case of fainting or an epileptic attack, you can let the unconscious person inhale the smell of this oil, and then first warm a couple of drops of it in the palms and then apply it to the temporal areas.
Special mint tablets, sold in every pharmacy, or taking 6-10 mint drops orally, which you can prepare yourself from oil and alcoholic infusion of mint, help well against nausea
To treat the digestive organs, prepare a solution of 15 mg of anise and mint alcohol (1% mint oil dissolved in 75% ethyl alcohol), 30 g of rose hip syrup and 120 g of linden water (pour boiling water over 1 tablespoon of linden flowers and leave for 10 minutes .), which is then taken orally, 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times a day. And to relieve stomach pain, mint ether is rubbed into the abdominal area and covered with a cold compress of gauze or any fabric. For heartburn , mix 1 teaspoon of fresh warm kefir and a couple of drops of mint ether and take orally.
For acute respiratory infections , the use of mint compresses (for fever, sore throat), gargles (for sore throat) and a mint bath (for temperature) are effective. for a sore throat, cough and runny nose . Also, during periods of flu epidemics and if there are people with colds or ARVI in the house, it is recommended to disinfect rooms using aroma lamps with mint oil solution .
For rheumatism and muscle pain, massage with mint essential oil.
And in dentistry, in order to relieve toothache, it is recommended to apply a cotton wool soaked in a few drops of mint ether to the sore tooth.
Homemade mint ointment helps with excessive sweating of the feet To prepare it, you need to mix 1 teaspoon each of soda, starch and any vegetable oil, and add 2 drops of mint essential oil to the resulting mixture. This ointment is regularly rubbed into the skin of the feet before bed.
Properties of mint:
What diseases is peppermint used for?
- toothache
- heartburn attack
- stomach cramps
- heart pain, menstrual pain
- upper respiratory tract disease
- with periodontal disease; bad breath
- for nervous exhaustion, fatigue
- with the appearance of acne, rosacea
- when caring for fading and aging skin, as well as in the presence of inflammation
Application in cosmetology
In cosmetology, peppermint essential oil is valued due to its harmonious combination of menthol and a large amount of vitamins. Many well-known cosmetic brands add it to their cosmetic products for the skin of the face, lips and hair. Ready-made cosmetic products with mint oil are very effective, but homemade masks and creams prepared with its addition are no less effective. If you buy a small bottle of this ether, you can make very useful products with it yourself right at home.
For facial , the whitening, anti-inflammatory properties of this ester, as well as its ability to increase blood circulation, are used. It perfectly evens out skin color, fights wrinkles, age spots and acne of any complexity, and also prevents their appearance.
If you have problem skin, be sure to try making a mint mask. For it you will need: 1 tablespoon of blue or black clay, 2 tablespoons of warm water, 3 drops of peppermint oil and 1 drop of lavender. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and apply the warm mixture to clean facial skin. Exposure time: 10-15 minutes. In addition to such a mask, mint ether can locally cauterize inflammation.
To tone skin that has lost its freshness and fine wrinkles, there is a recipe for using special mint ice. You will need: 200 ml of boiled or mineral water, 1 teaspoon of honey, 2 drops of mint ether. Dissolve honey in water and add oil, then pour the resulting liquid into ice cube trays and place in the freezer. Wipe clean skin with a piece of cold ice in the morning and evening.
Peppermint essential oil, due to its ability to increase blood circulation, can temporarily increase lip volume . To do this, add a few drops of it to lip gloss or facial moisturizer and apply to the skin of the lips with light patting movements.
Peppermint ester is often used
for hair. It well normalizes the condition of hair prone to dandruff and excessive oiliness . It is also one of the products that can accelerate blood flow in the scalp, affect the functioning of hair follicles and thereby accelerate hair growth.
There is a recipe for such a mask for dandruff. You will need: 2 drops of peppermint oil, 1 drop each of rosemary and tea tree esters, and 2 tablespoons of castor oil. Mix all the ingredients, heat and rub into the scalp, then put on a special bath cap. Exposure time: 30-40 minutes.
To strengthen the roots and hair growth, mix any base oil (jojoba, olive, coconut, almond) in the amount of 2 tablespoons and 3-4 drops of mint ether. The resulting mixture is heated and massaged into the hair roots and scalp. Be sure to insulate the top with a polyethylene cap or terry towel. Leave on hair for 40 minutes to 1 hour and then rinse with shampoo. Frequency of use: 3-4 times a week.
Application for hair growth:
Effect of mint essential oil
- Even in the works of Hippocrates and Avicenna, a plant is mentioned that has healing properties and has a beneficial effect on the psychological state of a person.
- After a cup of mint tea, irritation goes away and a person calms down
- The oil increases the body's energy levels and strengthens the immune system.
- Menthol, extracted from essential oil, is present in products that help maintain fresh breath: chewing gum, dental lotions.
- Mint can slow down hair growth by reducing the amount of male hormones, which is why it is used in hair removal and shaving products.
The aroma oil is obtained after steam distillation of dried flowers, and not the entire vegetative part of the plant, as when obtaining other essential oils. The final liquid product is yellowish in color, sometimes turning light green, with a bright, sharp aroma, in which cold mint and warm camphor notes are closely intertwined
What is lip oil? Its difference from gloss and hygienic lipstick
Lip oils are, first of all, caring cosmetics, an effective cosmetic product for moisturizing and nourishing the skin. It contains useful components that provide therapeutic and cosmetic effects. And as a bonus - a glossy finish, thanks to which you can give up lipstick and gloss, which dry out your lips.
Sometimes pigments are added to oils to add tint and light shine, but this can rather be called pampering, an excess, rather than a useful function.
Lip gloss is a product that primarily serves a decorative function. Yes, manufacturers of such cosmetics add caring ingredients to its composition, but their quantity is so small to talk about a healing or at least a moisturizing effect. Gloss is needed primarily to give the sponges a glossy finish, a rich shade and, possibly, additional visual volume.
Hygienic lipstick contains paraffin, waxes, and other thick substances, so that it can be used to protect against external influences, even out the texture of the skin on the lips, reflect ultraviolet radiation, and even to retain moisture, but not for moisturizing and nourishing.
Peppermint oil for feet
Peppermint oil has an anti-edematous and anti-inflammatory effect. Therefore, for tired, swollen feet, disinfectant and cleansing baths are used. RECIPE 1: Ingredients: Peppermint essential oil – 5 drops; Eucalyptus essential oil – 7 drops; Tea tree essential oil – 7 drops Preparation: mix the oils and pour the resulting mixture into a bowl full of hot water. Place your feet in the basin and wait until the water cools down. After this, do not wipe your feet RECIPE for mint scrub Ingredients: Epsom or sea salt - 4 tbsp; soybean oil or any other vegetable oil – 2 tbsp; peppermint essential oil – 8 drops Application : mix salt with soybean oil and add 8 drops of peppermint oil. The scrub relieves spasms and gives relief to tired legs RECIPE 2 : Mix 4-5 drops of peppermint essential oil with a small amount of honey, bran, sea or table salt. Add the resulting mixture to the foot bath. This procedure perfectly cools, refreshes and tones
Peppermint oil contraindications
Peppermint oil is not an allergen, but requires careful use. In what cases should peppermint oil not be used:
- children under 7 years old
- for diseases of the nasopharynx, lungs, bronchitis
- for those who are undergoing a course of homeopathic procedures (oil can cancel the effect of drugs used in homeopathy)
- before bed (the oil has an invigorating effect)
- pregnant and lactating
- prone to allergies or
- those who have sensitive skin (you need to do a sensitivity test: apply a drop of oil to the area on the bend of the elbow, in the wrist area, check for an allergic reaction the next day)
Aromatic baths with mint oil, benefits
Warm water in a duet with mint has a fantastic relaxing effect on the body.
Just a few drops of peppermint aroma oil or a mixture of essential oils can banish anxiety, strengthen the immune system, and improve well-being.
After water treatments with mint aroma oil, the skin is cleansed, toned, and rejuvenated.
The invigorating mint aroma acts on the upper respiratory tract in a similar way to inhalation, and by dissolving in water, the oil penetrates the skin faster.
Each life situation requires selecting a specific aroma that will exhibit the healing properties necessary at the moment.
RECIPE 1: aroma baths (for relaxation and calm after a busy day at work): the first procedure with mint aroma oil should be carried out with a small amount of mint essential oil (no more than 3 drops). The oil is dissolved in an emulsifier. In the future, for a bath, you can increase the amount of oil to 7 drops. RECIPE 2: aroma bath , which will help you recover from a slight hangover: you need to dissolve it in cream, milk, honey or kefir and pour a mixture of grapefruit, orange, mint aromatic oils into the water. You can add sage, thyme, rosemary oils . RECIPE 3: tonic arowanna : pour 100 g of dried mint with hot water (8 glasses). After 20 minutes, strain and pour the resulting infusion into a bath of warm water.
Aroma bath relieves fatigue and rejuvenates. Metabolism is stimulated after a bath
To achieve deep relaxation, the aroma bath is completed by drinking tea brewed with herbs
Benefits of mint oil for facial skin
Peppermint aroma oil is an excellent cleanser.
If you prepare a mask with mint, it will quickly relieve skin irritation and improve blood circulation. After the procedure, the skin on the face is smoothed, refreshed, color improves and tone brightens.
With constant use of mint, wrinkles will not appear prematurely.
Peppermint aroma oil is ideal for caring for oily skin.
Meanwhile, the oil has the same healing effect on combination skin , as well as those prone to various rashes.
If the skin is dry , then the oil must be used with other components that moisturize and additionally nourish
