Peppermint oil is the pure essential oil derived from peppermint leaves. Peppermint extract is a mixture of peppermint essential oils and alcohol. Peppermint oil is quite strong, so you need to dilute it for most uses. The oil is about four times as strong as the extract.
Peppermint oil is the essential oil taken from the flowering parts and leaves of the peppermint plant. (Essential oils are very concentrated oils containing substances that give a plant its characteristic odor or flavor.)
Never apply peppermint oil to the face of an infant or small child, as it may cause spasms that inhibit breathing. Peppermint may make gallstones worse. Large doses of peppermint oil can be toxic. Pure menthol is poisonous and should never be taken internally.
“There are some essential oils that are generally accepted as safe additives for cooking when used in extremely small amounts, as small as one drop. They include spearmint oil, grapefruit oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, cinnamon bark oil and lemongrass oil.
Peppermint essential oil can be used on skin as long as it is diluted with the correct amount of carrier oil. Like all essential oils, peppermint is highly concentrated and if applied topically without dilution, it can irritate the skin or even cause an allergic reaction.
If small amounts are swallowed, inhaled, or applied to skin or eyes, it can cause irritation and burning. Large doses can cause serious toxicity due to the menthol.
Peppermint oil is reportedly safe to take orally and using it in this way has been proven to be safe in many clinical trials. However, you may get heartburn, nausea, abdominal pain or a dry mouth if you do drink it. One of the best and easiest ways to drink peppermint oil, is to make yourself a cup of peppermint tea.
While peppermint oils repel mice, their effectiveness as a standalone solution for mouse infestations is limited. Many user experiences indicate that these pesky critters may grow accustomed to the smell over time, reducing its rodent-repellent impact.
Apart from alcohol, there's no food or drink that will affect peppermint oil. It's best to take it around 1 hour before meals. Some foods can cause irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms, such as stomach cramping and bloating.
Peppermint can cause some side effects including heartburn, dry mouth, nausea, and vomiting. When applied to the skin: Peppermint oil is likely safe. When given as an enema (rectally): Peppermint oil is likely safe. When inhaled: Peppermint oil is possibly safe when used as part of aromatherapy.
Which Essential Oils Are Best For Pain? One of Mother nature's most powerful painkillers, peppermint oil is frequently used for alleviating pain [1]. Closely related to peppermint, wintergreen oil boasts similar properties due to its methyl salicylate component.
The longer the complete protection time, the better the repellent will protect against mosquito bites. This bar chart shows how many minutes different essential oils will protect a person's skin from mosquito bites. Clove, cinnamon, geranoil, and peppermint oil are the most effective.
Peppermint oil is available in several forms, including: pure peppermint essential oil, which is highly concentrated. peppermint extracts, which are much less concentrated. enteric-coated capsules, which contain a small amount of peppermint oil in a special coating.
Citrus essential oils are simply squeezed out of the rinds. Extracts, on the other hand, are essential oils dissolved in ethyl alcohol, glycerol or propylene glycol and may also contain water, a sweetening agent or a food color. They are therefore less strongly flavored than the undiluted oil itself.
“Two to three drops of good quality peppermint oil in water taken after meals can definitely help with digestion and decreasing gas and belching,” Marrs said. “There have been several studies showing how it works as an antispasmodic for IBS.” Tea made from dried or fresh mint leaves can also be beneficial.
Peppermint essential oils or extracts—Exposure to small amounts of diluted peppermint oil may not be a problem for healthy dogs. But it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, skin irritation, respiratory problems, and ulcers in the mouth in the undiluted form or in high amounts.
Squirrels hate the smell of peppermint oil and will stay away from areas where it is used. You can use peppermint essential oils in a number of ways - you can add it to water in a spray bottle and spray it around your property, or apply it to cotton balls and position them in areas where squirrels are active.
Spiders do not like peppermint, and because they “taste” with their legs, it is an easy way to keep them away. Make a mixture of 1-1/2 cups water, 1/2 cup of white vinegar, and 20 drops of peppermint oil. Spray this concoction on windowsills, entryways, and where you find spiders.
Peppermint oil and peppermint extract are two very different ingredients. Peppermint oil is the pure essential oil derived from peppermint leaves. Peppermint extract is a mixture of peppermint essential oils and alcohol. Peppermint oil is quite strong, so you need to dilute it for most uses.
Peppermint oil has been used for stomach/intestinal disorders (such as upset stomach, cramps, irritable bowel syndrome-IBS). This product should not be used by children younger than 8 years. Some herbal/diet supplement products have been found to contain possibly harmful impurities/additives.
If you use the peppermint ball method, you'll need to replace the cotton balls consistently and use fresh oil with each new ball. For existing mice problems, replace the peppermint balls twice a week or more. However, if you're only preventing rodents, you may need to refresh the cotton balls every two weeks.
Peppermint oil offers a natural, eco-friendly solution for managing bed bug populations. Its repellent properties can provide temporary relief and disrupt bed bug activity.