16. Relieve muscle pain
We’ve touched on peppermint oil’s pain relieving properties a few times already. The menthol in peppermint oil is an incredibly effective analgesic (pain killer). Unlike traditional OTC and prescription pain relievers, peppermint oil acts faster and without side effects.
Peppermint oil is also being studied as a form of pain relief for hard to treat chronic pain conditions. Clinical studies show that peppermint oil applied topically is particularly effective for individuals with fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome (20). Simply combine a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil and massage on location.
17. Relieve Nerve Pain
Nerve pain is one of the most intense invisible ailments that can plague the human body. Finding an effective treatment that isn’t equally as debilitating makes the condition even more difficult to deal with.
Luckily, peppermints analgesic properties extend to nerve pain. Combined with other essential oils, these effects are magnified! With consistent application to prevent the nerves from getting too excited in the first place, you may actually find yourself pain-free!
18. Reduce sugar cravings
Sugar lights up the same pleasure center of your brain that cocaine does. And similar to the drug, individuals can become addicted to sugar. The good news is that you can retrain your brain and your taste buds to overcome a sugar addiction (21). In the meantime, peppermint oil can help you deal with sugar cravings.
Apply peppermint essential oil to your temples and wrists when you have a craving, and diffuse throughout the day. You may want to start and end each day with this routine to avoid sugary breakfasts and late-night unhealthy snacking.
19. Allergy relief
Allergies are quite the nuisance, seasonal or not. Use peppermint oil aromatically to help open your sinus passages and allow for proper drainage. For best results, combine peppermint, eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon oils in a diffuser to relieve even the worst allergy symptoms.
20. Fever reducer
Menthol to the rescue again! The cooling effects of menthol are more than just a sensation. When you have a fever, applying peppermint oil to the neck, forehead, and bottom of the feet will cool your body down. When applying to children, make sure to dilute heavily using a carrier oil.
21. Scalp health
When you visit a professional salon with dandruff issues, you’ll almost certainly be treated with a shampoo and conditioner containing peppermint oil. Dandruff has several individual causes, but each one results in a pH imbalance that leads to a dry and flaky scalp.
To remedy dandruff at home:
- Add approximately 20 drops of peppermint oil for every 8 oz. of your favorite natural shampoo and conditioner
- Combine 2-3 drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil (jojoba or almond, preferably) and massage onto a clean scalp
22. Cancer treatment aid
Research in the area of cancer treatments with peppermint is relatively limited, but they are consistent. In addition to relieving nausea from radiation and chemotherapy, peppermint oil can actually affect the cells inside the body. Studies show that peppermint oil protects DNA from being damaged by radiation, and the menthol in peppermint inhibits cancer growth (22,23).
23. Teething relief for babies
Peppermints side effect-free analgesic effects are perfect for a teething baby. Given the sensitivity of young ones, be sure to dilute with a carrier oil. Rub directly on the baby’s gum for relief.