Essential oils coming from the mint family are among the most widely used in aromatherapy, in part from their impressive different curative applications. The mints consist of peppermint, spearmint as well as corn mint, together with a close cousin: catnip. Here's a look at the many important benefits of these oils, and how to utilize them in your own life.

The most widely used of the mints is peppermint oil. Actually, it is one of the most used essential oils in aromatherapy today, vying for the leading place with Lavender -- interestingly with almost opposite results. Peppermint is the most commonly used stimulant oil, encouraging the actions of both the digestive system and the mind. The oil is often grabbed to help reduce headaches, and has topical analgesic activity as well. Additionally, the fragrance almost instantly opens the sinus passages, clearing the airways and providing more oxygen to the brain.

The most studied therapeutic activity of peppermint essential oil involves support of the digestive system. The oil shows quite strong stimulating action of the liver and gall bladder. The oil also prevents muscle spasms in the intestines. It is today commonly for sale in pills especially for support of irritable bowel syndrome. For use at home, one can have one to three drops in a warm cup of water, or dilute in a carrier oil & massage on the tummy.

The mentally-stimulating action of the mint essential oils is also the result of a number of interactions with our body at the same time. Breathing the aroma immediately opens the sinus passages, giving oxygen to our brain. Scientists have discovered peppermint can prevent the breakdown of acetylcholine, the primary information-processing neurotransmitter. You will need to be very careful inhaling the oil directly from the container however, since it is easy to burn the tip of the nose where the mucous membranes are exposed.

The ability to ease mild to severe headaches could be due to the simultaneous actions of both cooling and warming, along with the mind-clearing action mentioned above. Mint oils are used by simply applying a small amount to the temples with a fingertip. Since the skin is rather sensitive there, and the eyes are near, a 10% or lower dilution of essential oil is a good balance of safety and efficacy.

The mint oils share many similar properties among them, yet with vital understated differences. Spearmint is required in almost all the situations peppermint would be used, except for the analgesic topical activity (as it contains hardly any menthol, to which such actions are attributed). Spearmint has a more soothing activity, and is the oil of choice to be used with children. Corn mint, also known as Japanese mint or wild mint is made up almost completely of menthol, and could be considered the most powerful of these oils in this respect.

Both peppermint and spearmint are considered non-poisonous and non-irritating -- peppermint is known to have the potential to be sensitizing (meaning continued application to the same place can ultimately cause discomfort). Corn mint must be handled with caution because of its high menthol content -- and when used should be highly diluted. Peppermint is known to be prevented by those with the potential for seizures, and in instances where young kids might be sensitive to its potent smell. Other than these caveats, the mint oils are considered extremely secure. When starting with any new essential oil, it's usually recommended that you start gradually, using small amounts at first and then progress up.

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