top of page

Peppermint Essential Oil -- The Unsung Hero of Sinus Support, Athletics, and Focus


Oh peppermint essential oil how I love your minty ways. Yes I am a peppermint person. I love the invigorating, uplifting, herbal scent of peppermint essential oil. It wakes me up, boosts my spirit, and smells oh so wonderful.

But peppermint essential oil does more than just smell good. It offers a bounty of benefits from respiratory support to focus and even can support your athletic endeavors. Oh peppermint essential oil you're wonderful!

Sinus Support:

In her book "Clinical Aromatherapy" Jane Buckle mentions that steaming with peppermint essential twice per day over the course of five days immensely helped people with sinus issues and infections. Symptoms improved and germs were thwarted. If you suffer from sinus issues, sinus infections, or allergies the combination of hot steam and essential oils can really help open airways, kill germs, and soothe sinuses.

To steam you'll need a ceramic or stainless steel bowl filled with hot water, ONE DROP of essential oil or blend (seriously -- that is all you need), a towel to cover your head, and tissues.

Add a drop of essential oil to the steaming water, close your eyes, bring your face near the bowl, and cover your head with a towel. Take breaks as needed but aim to steam for 5 to 15 minutes.

It's easy and effective -- but to work you'll need to make sure you steam a couple of times a day over the course of a few days.

Peppermint essential oil is rich in menthol and menthone. These compounds have antibacterial, antiviral, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Thus steaming with peppermint essential oil can help kill germs and soothe airways.

And of course it smells wonderful.

Improved Athletic Performance: In addition to fighting germs and soothing aches peppermint essential oil has been shown to boost athletic performance. Athletes and exercise enthusiasts of the world rejoice!

So if you're looking for a safe and legal competitive edge or simply want to boost your workout peppermint essential oil may help.

Several studies suggest that peppermint essential oil can improve lung function and improve glucose metabolism. In effect studies suggest that inhaling peppermint essential oil can improve running times and lessen feelings of fatigue.(1, 2, 3,4) What's not to like?

So if you are looking to boost your exercise routine or need a race day boost inhaling peppermint essential oil may give you what you're looking for.

I discuss this even more in the April issue of Aromaculture. Visit https://www.aromaculture.com/ in April to check out the article.

Peppermint for Focus and Productivity: If you've ever smelled peppermint essential oil you may note that it is invigorating. Menthol opens airways and stimulates the central nervous system.

If you are looking to feel more alert, support focus and productivity peppermint essential oil may help. Some studies have linked peppermint essential oil and focus and productivity. (5)

Personally, I've used peppermint essential oil as a pick me up to start my day, while driving if I'm feeling tired, or if I'm dragging mid day. The strong minty aroma of peppermint always perks me up!

And we haven't even mentioned digestive support! Peppermint essential oil, like many essential oils has a plethora of benefits. It's safe for adults and generally safe but is suggested to avoid with children 5 and under and contraindicated in case of cardiac fibrillation and for G6PD deficiency. There is a perception that menthol-rich oils can potentially affect blood clotting, but according to Robert Tisserand, it is not sufficient to be cautioned against anticoagulant medication. Essential oils are potent concentrated plant extracts. Yes they are safe and natural, but use with respect. Dilute essential oils appropriately before applying to the skin and use with caution around children, elderly, and those in frail condition. Consult a certified or clinical aromatherpist if you have questions.

If you are curios about essential oils, aromatherapy, or using peppermint to support mood, soothe sinus issues, or support focus, feel free to contact me or stop by the shop in Old Town Temecula.

Aromatic Blessings,

Tricia

1. Nidal Amin Jaradat, Hamzeh Al Zabadi, Belal Rahhal, Azmi Mahmoud Ali Hussein, Jamal Shaker Mahmoud, Basel Mansour, Ahmad Ibrahim Khasati and Abdelkhaleq Issa (2016), The effect of inhalation of Citrus sinensis flowers and Mentha spicata leave essential oils on lung function and exercise performance: a quasi-experimental uncontrolled before-and-after study; Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition 13 (36)

2. MacKenzie CM, Hedge A. Is peppermint an ergogenic Aid to athletic performance? Rev Hum Factors Ergon. 2005;49:1229–33.

3. Raudenbush B, Corley N, Eppich W. Enhancing athletic performance through the administration of peppermint odor. J Sport Exercise Psychol. 2001; 23(2):156–60.

4. Zhiyue Li, Fengzhi Wu, Haozhen Shao, Yu Zhang, Angran Fan,and Feng Li (2017), Does the Fragrance of Essential Oils Alleviate the Fatigue Induced by Exercise? A Biochemical Indicator Test in Rats, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Vol 2017 Article ID: Article ID 5027372, 7 pages, http://doi.org/10.1155/2017%2F5027372

5. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/67b5/eb86636e356790e7ce871a0851729ed3160e.pdf?_ga=2.243309634.63707478.1553058245-1075376553.1546551743&_gac=1.150653442.1553058312.EAIaIQobChMImezwxOGC3QIVB5ztCh2IjwTaEAAYASAAEgIDFvD_BwE

Featured Posts
Recent Posts
Archive
Search By Tags
Follow Us
  • Facebook Basic Square
  • Twitter Basic Square
  • Google+ Basic Square
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube Social  Icon

Aromatic Formulations by Tricia 


Tel: 650-296-1752
tricia@aromatherapybytricia.com

tricia@aromaticformulations.com

 

© 2023 Aromatic Formulations by Tricia LLC

Join our mailing list

Get coupon codes, product updates, recipes, and more.

National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy professional membership seal
Alliance of Internal Aromatherapy professional membership seal
Formulation Skills Badge from the  Formula Botanica Diploma in Organic Haircare
Formula Botanica Graduate Diploma of Organic Skincare Badge
Organic Anti-Aging Skincare Badge from Formula Botanica
**Disclaimer:

I understand that the Food and Drug Administration has not evaluated the therapeutic suggestions or any statements made on this website about essential oils, carriers or other products offered by Aromatic Formulations by Tricia LLC (AFT)

​

The statements made on this website are for educational purposes and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

​

The data on this website is not considered complete and is not guaranteed to be accurate.

​

Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking treatment based on something you've read or accessed through  this website. Tricia Ambroziak is a professional aromatherapist and cosmetic formulator but not a licensed health care professional.

 

 I understand that essential oils and aromatherapy are not a substitute for professional medical care. I understand that the products being sold by ABT are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

​

Aromatic Formulations creates high performance high performance sustainable skin and hair care product, including anti-aging serum and face cream for dry skin and salon quality shampoo and conditioner bars. Ingredients may vary slightly on website vs packaging. Please refer to package label for ingredients in a particular product.

bottom of page