Essential oils from the mint family (technically the "Labiatae" family) are among the most popular in aromatherapy, in part from their impressive diverse therapeutic applications. The mints include peppermint, spearmint and corn mint, along with a close cousin: catnip. Recently, there's even been solid scientific research backing the use of these oils as medicines for both the mind and body. Here's a look at the many important benefits of these oils, and how you can make use of them in your own life.
The most popular of the mints is peppermint. In fact, it's one of the most used essential oils in aromatherapy today, vying for the top spot with Lavender -- interestingly with almost opposite effects. Peppermint is by far the most widely used stimulant oil, encouraging the actions of both the digestive system and the mind. The oil is often reached for to help alleviate headaches, and has topical analgesic activity as well. Further, the aroma almost instantly opens the sinus passages, clearing the airways and delivering more oxygen to the brain.
A significant amount of scientific effort has gone into proving peppermint's profound effects on the digestive system. Its actions are diverse, relieving a number of complaints, including dyspepsia (heartburn, pain or general discomfort), nausea, diarrhea and flatulence. Heartburn and digestive difficulties are alleviated by the stimulation of release of digestive fluids from the gall bladder and liver, whereas pain is alleviated primarily by the oil's anti-spasmodic action. Capsules containing peppermint essential oil are now available over-the-counter for support of IBS, or "irritable bowel syndrome", thought to be the result of bacteria accumulating in tiny pockets in the digestive tract. Aromatherapy practitioners can ingest a few drops of the oil in a cup of water or in a cellulose capsule, or massage a dilute formula into the abdomen for digestive system support.
The mentally-stimulating action of the mint essential oils is also the result of several interactions with our body concurrently. Inhaling the aroma quickly opens the sinus passages, delivering oxygen to our gray matter. Researchers have discovered peppermint has the ability to prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, the primary information-processing neurotransmitter. On an esoteric level, therapists believe the aroma enhances concentration, while enabling our ability to work with new ideas and generate creative concepts. One does need to be careful inhaling the oil directly from the bottle however, as it is easy to burn the tip of the nose where the mucous membranes are exposed.
The ability to alleviate headaches may be due to the simultaneous actions of both cooling and warming, in addition to the mind-clearing activity mentioned above. Mint oils are used by simply applying a very small amount to the temples with a fingertip. Because the skin is rather sensitive there, and the eyes are close-by, a 10% dilution of essential oil is a good balance of safety and efficacy.
While the common mint oils of peppermint, spearmint and corn mint share many properties, their are differences to be aware of. Corn mint is by far the most potent of the three, with a strong cooling and warming sensation (some therapists call it cooling, others insist it's warming, and others believe it to be both). Spearmint and peppermint are both suggested as skin cleansers in very low dilutions.
When menthol is the ingredient providing the therapeutic action you're needing -- be it topical pain relief, or invigoration from that "minty" cooling effect, peppermint or corn mint should be used. Spearmint contains almost no menthol, where peppermint contains between 30 and 50%, and corn mint contains up to 95%. You'll find both these mints in pain relieving blends, and in body creams and scrubs where the idea is to get a pleasant eye-opening action from the product.
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.
There are many ways to use these oils beyond the scope of this article -- browsing the web or through a good aromatherapy guidebook will lead you to many more possibilities. Dig around a little, or buy yourself a bottle of peppermint, and let it lead you to its place in your life -- you're bound to be pleasantly stimulated!
The author is proponent of the varied and potent healing actions of aromatherapy essential oils. For more, see http://www.anandaapothecary.com.
Article source: http://www.artipot.com/articles/628511/using-peppermint-and-spearmint-essential-oils.htm
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