7 Mint Essential Oil Uses You'll Love

Mint uses date back thousands of years and have been recorded in ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. But how can you use mint in your home today? Read on to find out about the many mint essential oil uses that are both safe and practical for the home.

Peppermint vs. Spearmint: What's the Difference?

You might be familiar with the way peppermint and spearmint differ in taste, but there's more to these two seemingly similar ingredients.

A study published in the journal Molecules states that peppermint (Mentha piperita) belongs to the piperita species and is composed mainly of menthol and menthone. Alternately, spearmint (Mentha spicata) belongs to the spicata species and is primarily composed of carvone. Essential oil from either variety is produced by steam distilling the fresh or partially dried leaves of the plants.

7 Mint Essential Oil Uses for the Home

Remember that essential oils are extremely potent and can irritate the skin if not used properly, as the University of Minnesota explains. If you are creating your own mint essential oil concoctions for your skin, be sure to add the mint oils to a carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond oil. The recommended ratio is three drops of essential oil to one teaspoon of carrier oil. Here are seven ways you can use these mint essential oil concoctions in your personal care routine and throughout your home.

1. Nausea

Research published in the journal Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics showed that peppermint oil provided a feeling of relief from post-operative nausea for patients who inhaled its aroma.

2. Aromatherapy

Not only does mint essential oil smell divine, but a study in the Avicenna Journal of Phytomedicine also showed that using peppermint essential oil in aromatherapy may boost feelings of attention to detail, memory, and visual-motor response.

3. Tension Headache

A study in Cephalalgia found that mixing peppermint and eucalyptus oils can provide a relaxing sensation to both the muscles and the mind, which may help alleviate feelings of a tension headache.

4. Congestion

The Mayo Clinic reports that peppermint oil may help relieve nasal congestion, working to improve respiratory symptoms associated with the common cold.

5. Muscle Aches and Soreness

The Cephalalgia study also found that mint essential oil may help soothe sore muscles. Try rubbing a mix of mint and eucalyptus oils onto areas of discomfort for a warming sensation. Don't forget to dilute your oils!

6. Natural Air Freshener

Create a custom blend for your home by combining mint essential oils and citrus or lavender oils in distilled water. Pour into a spray bottle and spritz for a delightful aroma, sans the artificial fragrance.

7. Personal Care Products

You may see mint listed under the natural flavor ingredient in oral care products, such as natural peppermint or spearmint toothpaste.

Inspired to use more natural ingredients in your life? Check out the Ingredients from Nature board by @tomsofmaine on Pinterest for more info and ideas!

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