February 20, 2008 | Health, Essential oils, Cleaning products
One of the things I love to do when I clean is to add essential oils to natural cleaning products. For example, in my mop bucket I’ll do about 1/2 cup of cider vinegar, fill half full with water, and add 3-4 drops of essential oils, depending on what suits my mood. There are lots to choose from at my local health food store, and I tend to go for things that have good aromatherapy benefits, smell nice in my home, and fulfill some other cleaning and maintenance purpose. Peppermint oil is a great choice lately, for me at least. I love the way it smells - it’s refreshing and energizing. When you’re dragging through the day there’s nothing better than peppermint to pick you up (except maybe a peppermint mocha latte in a supercool reusable travel mug on the go…).
But according to the experts, peppermint repels ants too. And that makes it great for my home this time of year. As winter fades into spring (and I’m lucky enough to live in the Atlanta area where temperatures are already becoming spring-y), ants and critters are venturing out again. A little peppermint oil in my cleaning supplies will keep them out of my house and away from my kids. I even got creative and put a couple drops into the rinse cycle on my washing machine. Honestly, I don’t know if that’ll be enough to repel ants and bugs when my kids are outside, but it’s worth a shot. I’ll let you know if it works.
What else does peppermint do?
Peppermint oil is an excellent digestive aid. A few drops in a glass of water makes a refreshing after-meal beverage that not only tastes great, it improves digestion! Peppermint Oil eliminates gas, bloating and abdominal cramps. It improves circulation and the production of digestive fluids. All-natural Peppermint Oil relieves headaches, nausea and soothes spastic colon.
Peppermint Oil is also a great expectorant. Use externally to treat colds, flus and fevers, it cools down the body, and relieves a variety of respiratory conditions.
Peppermint oil is believed to be safe for adults, children, and pregnant and nursing women. Be sure to dilute well for ingestion, and mix with another oil for application to skin.
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Nancy says:
Where do you find peppermint oil
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:17 pmmudlark says:
Great question. Peppermint oil, as well as most of the other essential oils we talk about here, can be found at any local health food store. That would include anywhere from Whole Foods to Fresh Market, or even the smaller family-owned shops that carry things like vitamins, humidifiers, and specialty health products. If there isn’t one in your town, you might have to order it online. You can google essential oils and find numerous places that carry them, or we can recommend Amrita, another member of Co-op America.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:13 pmLavender Jane says:
does peppermint oil treat bad breath too?!
July 8th, 2008 at 1:05 pmmudlark says:
Not only does it treat bad breath, but you can add a drop here or there if you’re taking any supplements or nutritional green goo that you take to help get over the unpleasant supplement flavor! Add a drop to the water you use to swallow multivitamins, and it’ll make them easier to swallow and help with the nausea that sometimes comes after taking a vitamin.
July 11th, 2008 at 7:26 am