Peppermint May Alleviate Symptoms from the Common Cold
Dec 19, 2018by Sophia Ruan Gushée
In NYC, we're in the full swing of winter, which includes more prevalence of the common cold.
Symptoms of the common cold include sore throat, runny nose, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing, headaches, and body aches. While the common cold occurs more often in the winter and spring, people are affected all year by the common cold.
If you feel early signs of the common cold (usually a sore throat and runny nose), then take extra care of yourself. Get more rest, eat a more nutrient dense diet, hydrate frequently, wash your hands after they may have touched more germs (like at a holiday party or riding public transportation), and invest time in a sauna (specifically infrared sauna).
Another simple tip? If you find yourself congested, then remember that peppermint can be very helpful in alleviating symptoms from the common cold.
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Peppermint is a versatile household staple
Peppermint is a dynamic resource that offers many benefits.
Peppermint as a plant can make a surrounding area fragrant. Reportedly, peppermint scent will deter insects, like mosquitoes.
Peppermint as a tea can soothe an occasional stomachache, and maybe other digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.
Peppermint leaf extract (Mentha Piperita)—with its antimicrobial properties—may help oral health.
In my household, peppermint essential oil is a staple. I use doTERRA peppermint essential oil in my cleaning recipes (it smells nice, fights bacteria, and may repel insects), food recipes, and self-care routines. I find peppermint essential oil soothing on some sunburns (be very careful as essential oils are very strong and need to be diluted and tested on your skin), and itchy mosquito bites.
Peppermint May Alleviate Symptoms from the Common Cold
Peppermint essential oil helps some people's congestion through various types of exposures: diffused into the air; applied with a carrier oil to skin (like the chest) or rubbed into palms to be inhaled; or added to the diet (I add it to smoothies).
In the winter, with more time indoors and with lots of germs (especially children at school), consider incorporating peppermint essential oil into your home for the variety of reasons mentioned above. Mainly, it can help fight bacteria and may help a stuffy nose.
If you're open to informed experimentation, you'll discover endless uses for peppermint.
Summary
Consider incorporating peppermint in the following ways.
- Buy a peppermint plant. Buy peppermint as a plant to grow indoors or outdoors. Read to see if your home or outdoor areas have conditions that can support the growth of a peppermint plant. In my experience, peppermint in my garden is as persistent as are weeds. They grow back every year, and the peppermint plant wants to take over more space each year and throughout the summer. The yield (and apparent quality, or beauty) of the peppermint leaves are better during certain times of the summer than others. They appear to go dormant in the cold season.
- Drink. Drink organic peppermint tea
- Diffuse. Diffuse a vetted peppermint essential oil to benefit from its antimicrobial properties and help clear a stuffy nose
- Apply. After doing a safety test on your skin (there are unique vulnerabilities to essential oils, which are potent), mix peppermint essential oils with a carrier oil (like fractionated coconut oil) to:
- apply to your chest (if you're congested)
- rub between your hands to then inhale (if you're congested or just want to be invigorated)
- apply to mosquito bites
- Clean. Add peppermint essential oil to some of your DIY cleaning recipes
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Related Content You Might Like
- Healing Through Essential Oils (podcast S1, E5)
- Can peppermint alleviate your spring seasonal or environmental threats?
** Please follow manufacturer's instructions as precautions should be taken with essential oils. And check with your trusted healthcare providers before ingesting essential oils. Not all essential oils are safe enough to be ingested.
*** Please note that I am also a doTERRA Wellness Advocate so I earn value from any purchases you may through my affiliate link. =)
