Getting To Know The Essential Oils Of Mints

Users of aromatherapy are often seeking that wonder oil that will bring a magic calm to their lives. This is clearly important! At the same time, so is finding a source for natural stimulation. The sort of stimulation that won't necessarily need something to produce calm sometime later. The mint essential oils offer this and much, much more. These oils can stimulate the mind and the body, and offer medicinal action to the belly and skin as well. This is a quick look at oils from the "Labiatae" family, and how you might benefit from their use.

Possibly one of the most used essential oils in aromatherapy -- no doubt in the top five -- is peppermint. Distilled from the leaves and tops of the same herb that gives us candy canes and mint herb tea, the essential oil is by far the most widely used stimulating aromatic. Yet its therapeutic effects reach far beyond this -- the oil is used to help a range of digestive challenges, as a topical analgesic, to open the sinus passages and even alleviate headaches.

Much research has been done on peppermint's ability to support challenges with the gut -- perhaps because so many folks suffer from similar complaints. Peppermint has an incredible synergy of actions, working together to quell tummy troubles. The stimulating aspect occurs by getting the gall bladder to produce digestive juices, a very important facet of relieving indigestion. Interestingly, the oil also puts a stop to intestinal spasms, which can be a significant source of pain. The oil can be ingested in small amounts, but the best way to address a painful belly is to massage a dilute formula of the essential oil -- based in any carrier oil -- into the abdomen. Mandarin is an excellent complement to this, and for the young ones, a blend of spearmint and mandarin can be magic. For adults dealing with indigestion, one to three drops of peppermint can be taken with a small amount of water.

The mental stimulation of the mints is unsurpassed. There's nothing quite like the "pick-me-up" of a deep inhalation from a bottle of peppermint (careful not to burn the tip of your nose though!). The clearly invigorating aroma supports mental focus in several ways: when the sinus passages are open, more oxygen gets to our brain. The oil also has the interesting feature of preventing the breakdown of certain neurotransmitters which serve to move information throughout our nervous system. And of course there's the simply intangible feature of inhaling a bright, beautiful scent.

Peppermint is commonly used to help with headaches, with the simple application massaged into the temples. A three to ten percent dilution in any carrier oil can be used, adjusted to personal preference of potency. Do avoid the eyes and try spearmint instead with children. The clarifying, cooling effect of both these oils may just do the trick when a natural remedy is what you're seeking.

The mint oils share many similar properties among them, with important subtle differences. Spearmint is called for in nearly all the cases peppermint would be used, except for the analgesic topical activity resulting from the menthol. Spearmint has a more gentle action, and is the oil of choice for younger children. Its lovely sweetness is a wonderful addition to many blends, and the oil is used industrially as a food flavoring agent. Both peppermint and spearmint are recommended for "clearing congested skin", and as refreshing skin tonics.

The essential oil distilled from corn mint (also found as "Wild" mint) is almost completely made up of menthol. Its use is best reserved for formulas where a small amount of the oil is added to impart that special "zing"! This is popular in invigorating body care products like foot creams and stimulating shampoos and conditioners. Otherwise, peppermint and spearmint are the better selections for therapeutic applications.

The safety concerns of these essential oils are few. Peppermint and corn mint should not be used by those with epilepsy, as the aroma may be to simulating to the nervous system. For younger children, use spearmint in place of peppermint -- whether there's really a concern does not seem to be agreed upon, but where an adult or older child might quickly be able to say "that's too much", the same response may not come fast enough from younger kids. And finally, corn mint should only be used in applications where it is called for specifically, or by knowledgeable practitioners.

The mints are very popular essential oils for a reason: they work! Aromatherapists will always find a use for aromas at both ends of the spectrum: calming and stimulating. These oils clearly fulfill the need for stimulating aromatics, and with their fun, pleasant scents, you're likely to find a use for them in your life too.