For clinical depression, no one is suggesting that essential oils replace regular medical care. This is a potentially serious situation, and it calls for expert professional help.
But, for an occasional bout with the blues, some people believe peppermint oil is a good natural remedy.
Peppermint Essential Oil for Depression
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Used properly, peppermint essential oil appears to be very safe. It doesn’t have the side effects of prescription anti-anxiety drugs. Peppermint oil doesn’t cause drowsiness. In addition to potentially soothing your nerves, it also seems to sharpen your focus. At least that’s what it does for me. That’s is why I like to use a little first thing in the morning, as I’m about to start working. However, I do need to point out that I’m not a medical professional. So read everything here as my personal opinion only.
If I wanted a mood elevating boost, I would either inhale the peppermint oil or dilute it in a carrier oil, before massaging it into my skin. Either method is considered good for delivering the therapeutic effects of an aromatic remedy.
However, peppermint is one of the essential oils that’s not recommended for children younger than 10. Only certain essential oils should be used in children aged 2 to 10.
Peppermint Essential Oil Safety
Unlike some pharmaceuticals, peppermint oil appears to be quite safe, as long as it’s used the right way. This means not applying it directly to your skin without a carrier oil or taking it internally. When using a new oil, it’s often recommended that you first do a 24-hour test, on a small patch of skin. If you have no reaction, it should be safe to use on a larger area.
Because essential oils are so concentrated, just putting a few drops put in a cold air diffuser is all you need to do. The aromatic mist will travel to your lungs, and then into your bloodstream. Or, if you don’t own a diffuser, you can also sprinkle a few drops on a cloth or a tissue, and place it a few inches away from you.
Another way to enjoy peppermint oil is to add a few drops to your bath water for an uplifting soak. Make sure to add about a cup of natural Epsom salt to the water as well.
But you may not want to do this at night, because this aromatic is energizing. Unlike lavender essential oil, peppermint oil is not considered a good insomnia remedy.
Peppermint Oil for Depression
Lavender and orange essential oil are probably better known for their potential mood elevating properties, at least among people familiar with aromatherapy. But peppermint oil is also good to add to your collection. It’s a very versatile oil. For instance, it’s useful when you have a cold, because it contains infection-fighting compounds. It also helps you breath. It’s quite likely this oil has immune-boosting properties, to help your body destroy the virus.
Although essential oils have been used for centuries, for physical and emotional ailments, very little modern research been done on them. This is not surprising, though, as modern studies tend to focus on drugs.
One of the few mainstream medical outlets, which does discuss the benefits of aromatherapy, is the University of Maryland Medical Center. It recognizes that these oils have a long history of use, in many cultures around the world.
While warning not to treat yourself on your own if you suffer from “moderate or severe” depression, the UMMC site lists various natural remedies that can help improve your mood. Included was a list of essential oils, such as peppermint, lavender, orange, chamomile and sandlewood.
Peppermint Oil and Depression
I regularly use essential oils to relieve anxiety and also to help me sleep. The more I use them, the better I feel. In my own personal experience, I’ve noticed that all aromatherapy oils seem to improve my mood.
However, I’m not a doctor, so nothing you read here should be taken as medical advice. I’m simply sharing my story of how essential oils help me, without making any larger claims or promises that essential oils will cure depression. My essential oils seem to work better if I rotate them, so I’m not using the same one too often. Different aromatics have slightly different effects.
For instance, peppermint essential oil is one I use in the morning to help me wake up. If you’re trying to go to sleep, lavender and clary sage are better choices.
Plant Therapy Peppermint Essential Oil
One of my favorite sources of oils is Plant Therapy, a family-owned business located in Twin Falls, Idaho. The plants it uses, however, come from all over the world. They’re grown in their natural environments, without pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. Each batch is tested twice for purity and potency, once by an independent laboratory. Plant Therapy also works with world-known aromatherapy expert Robert Tisserand.
My first order from Plant Therapy was pure peppermint oil and I was so happy with the quality that I became a repeat customer.
Plant Therapy Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
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Because I’ve derived so many benefits from natural remedies, I naturally want to tell others about all the wonderful plants that God has given us to help heal our bodies. I also want them to know other alternatives exist, if they’re looking for oils outside of the MLM networks.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
