Peppermint oil is one type of essential oil that can be ingested. It is added to candies, gum and other food items. You can also make a peppermint drink to take for a number of digestive concerns like nausea, diarrhea, indigestion and cramps. Peppermint is thought to fight the onset of the flu or colds; it also acts as an expectorant and decongestant to ease your symptoms if you catch one of these illnesses. Make a peppermint drink to ease these symptoms. Peppermint oil has numerous other uses, from soothing headaches to boosting your mood, but for these uses it is diluted and applied to the skin or inhaled. Check with your doctor before taking peppermint oil.
Pour one cup of warm water in a glass or mug.
Add only one drop of therapeutic grade peppermint oil to the water.
Add a spoonful of honey and stir the contents.
Drink the mixture to ease your cold, flu or digestive symptoms.
Tip
Use therapeutic grade essential oils when ingesting them.
This mixture is likely to cause you to burp, but that action will help to ease your digestive troubles.
Enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules are an alternative to drinking a peppermint oil mixture. Research is mixed on whether these are effective. Ask your doctor if he thinks these capsules might help your symptoms.
Warning
Do not think that using more than one drop of peppermint oil will better help your symptoms; essential oils should be used cautiously and too much peppermint can be toxic.
Avoid taking peppermint if you have GERD or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Do not give peppermint oil to babies or children.
Do not ingest peppermint oil if you are taking medications for diabetes or blood pressure, stomach acid medications or Cyclosporine.
References
- "The Essential Natural Health Bible"; Nerys Purchon; 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Peppermint
Writer Bio
Sharon Therien has been writing professionally since 2007. She specializes in health writing and copywriting for websites, blogs and businesses. She is a Certified Yoga Teacher and a Reiki Master with a Certificate in Fitness and Nutrition. Therien has a Master of Arts in sociology from Florida Atlantic University.