If you suffer from any type of pain, you may want to consider peppermint oil for massage. This aromatic is also considered good for headaches, muscle aches and mild stomach discomfort.
This aromatic, apparently, contains natural analgesic compounds. That’s why it’s often included in tension and pain relief blends sold by various essential oil companies.
Many of the major essential oil suppliers offer specific blends designed for relieving pain. Typically, four or more oils are mixed together because it’s believed they work in synergy, with each aromatic making the others more powerful. Peppermint and other invigorating oils are almost always found in these blends.
Peppermint Essential Oil for Massage
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For instance, Plant Therapy, where I’ve gotten a number of my oils from, sells a formula called Rapid Relief Synergy Blend, which contains peppermint oil, along with eight other aromatic oils.
Peppermint Oil for Massage
In our house, we don’t use over-the-counter pain relievers. Actually, we don’t even own any. When mild pain hits, we use essential oils instead. If it’s anything more than mild, we call our homeopath. She then recommends a remedy that usually brings fast relief.
There are several reasons we don’t use OTC pain medications. One is because, for me, anyway, they don’t work that well. I realize that many people use these pain formulas with good success. But I suffer from chronic nerve inflammation. If my symptoms happen to flare up, essential oils seem to work better than drugs. Maybe it’s because the source of my pain originates in my nerves, rather than in my muscles.
Essential Oils for Pain Massage
Also, essential oils, used correctly, appear to be infinitely safer than drugs. Each year, acetaminophen alone accounts for about 50,000 emergency room visits in the United States. This supposedly “safe” drug is also the leading cause of sudden liver failure.
Ibuprofen can also cause potentially serious side effects. For me, the trade-off doesn’t seem worth it. Plus, these medications don’t really help me. That’s why I’m so happy to see aromatic relief formulas becoming more widely available. Below you can see Plant Therapy Rapid Relief. I highly recommend this company, as well as this formula, which I’ve used myself.
Plant Therapy Rapid Relief Synergy
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Plant Therapy Rapid Relief Synergy Blend contains peppermint oil, as well as clove, laurel, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, German chamomile, thyme and juniper essential oils. If someone plans to use it for massage, it must be first diluted with a carrier oil. Olive, grapeseed or fractionated coconut oil make good carriers.
Peppermint Oil Massage Benefits
I sometimes use peppermint essential oil by itself, or mixed with clove bud oil, when a headache strikes. I don’t get headaches too often. But, when I do, I get almost instant relief with aromatics.
When applied to the skin, peppermint essential oil feels cooling and soothing. It seems to numb the area, so that the pain dissipates. For me, it works particularly well for those dull tension headaches that happen after a hard day of work, or when I don’t get enough sleep.
Although I don’t need a study to help me believe this aromatic helps my aching head, you might be interested to know there’s some scientific research to back this up. Peppermint oil was found to relieve headache pain in one small study, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Apparently, this oil was applied to the forehead and temples.
Peppermint Oil for Digestion
Peppermint oil has a long-standing reputation as being a good digestive aid. Various studies have found that people with irritable bowel syndrome who use peppermint experienced a reduction in their symptoms, according to information posted on the UMMC website. One of these studies found that 75 percent of the people had “significant” relief.
How to Make Peppermint Oil for Massage
Peppermint essential oil is often recommended for stomach pain. Typically, people rub diluted essential oil on their abdomen, where the pain arises. A typical way to dilute essential oils for massage is to add 1 or 2 drops of aromatic oil to a teaspoon of carrier oil. The ratio of aromatics is decreased for the elderly or if someone is frail.
Although it doesn’t seem as if you’re using enough essential oil, bear in mind that you’re working with highly concentrated plant extracts. I’ve seen varying estimates on the strength of peppermint oil. But, from what I can gather, one drop contains the equivalent medicinal properties of up to 70 cups of peppermint tea.
Can You Take Peppermint Oil Internally?
If you spend any time on the Internet, you’ll probably come across people recommending that you take peppermint oil internally. However, this is a very controversial practice, especially when it’s recommended as blanket general advice for the general public. There may be individual instances where this can be safely done. But no one should attempt this unless under the care of a medical doctor or a professional aromatherapist who’s well trained in this practice.
Essential Oils for Body Massage
However, bear in mind that massage is considered a very effective way to use essential oils. The therapeutic compounds are absorbed through your skin.
Plant Therapy is where I’ve bought a number of my oils. My respect for this company increased exponentially after I did some research, and learned that it seems to be a leader in promoting safe and sparing use of essential oils. It does this even though it’s selling these aromatics, and would profit if people used them less judiciously.
Plant Therapy Organic Peppermint Oil 10 ml
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Peppermint Oil for Body Massage
Peppermint oil is often used for muscle aches and pains. I’ve used it alone to rub into the spot where it hurts. I’ve also mixed it with other numbing oils, such as clove bud. Also, peppermint essential oil is available in premixed blends. The advantage of this is that it’s believed that mixing complimentary oils together creates a positive synergy. If you don’t already own multiple oils, it spares you from having to buy a number of bottles.
If you use peppermint essential oil for massage, just remember that it’s very strong. Putting it in a carrier oil to protect your skin. Also, as the name implies, this oily medium helps “carry” the aromatic compounds into your body.
Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not use essential oils unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
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