I’ve always been fascinated by essential oils. A lot of the skincare products I have tried and love contain essential oils, so I was thrilled when my friend Katie Dick gifted me an Introductory Kit from dōTERRA, which contains a 5 mL bottle of dōTERRA’s CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® Lavender, Lemon, and Peppermint essential oils. The stunning presentation box also includes suggested uses of the included oils givi with an immediate experience of the life-changing benefits of essential oils.
I absolutely adore lavender. I used my bottle in a diffuser to set a calming mood while I relaxed in the shower and then while I slept. I put some on the bottoms of my feet to keep calm while doing paperwork, and I put some on my mascara wand to give my lashes a nice lavender oil treatment.
Here’s what I found from the dōTERRA website regarding lavender oil:
Lavender Essential Oil
“With a distinct aroma and countless applications, Lavender has been used for centuries. Anciently, the Romans and Egyptians would use Lavender as perfume and for bathing and cooking. Since that time, many have discovered the myriad benefits that Lavender holds—using Lavender oil topically for skin, internally to ease feelings of tension and promote restful sleep,* and more. The versatile properties of Lavender essential oil make it a dōTERRA favorite, and a must-have oil to keep on hand at all times.
Where to Buy Lavender Oil:
If you are ready to buy your own Lavender oil, visit Katie’s Lavender oil page here. When it comes to essential oils, there are a lot of ways to source, harvest, and produce a product. dōTERRA believes in responsible sourcing, and efficiency during harvest and production, to provide the highest quality Lavender oil as possible.
Lavender Oil Uses and Benefits
Whether you are trying to soothe skin irritation or merely nourish delicate skin, there are many uses of Lavender essential oil for skin. The soothing properties of Lavender have made it a popular option for skincare products, at-home skincare DIYs, and simple topical application. Do you struggle with obnoxious razor bumps after shaving? Well, shaving might be essential, but irritating razor bumps are not. Provide relief to your skin with this Razor Relief Serum enhanced with Lavender essential oil and avoid the irritation that often comes post-shave. You can also cleanse and nourish your skin by making your own Lavender essential oil clay mask at home. Great for all skin types!
Do you have a pot of potpourri that has seen its day? Don’t throw it out! You can utilize the amazing aroma of Lavender essential oil by adding a few drops to a potpourri mixture that could use a little revitalization.
Are your hands constantly plagued with dry skin and unhealthy looking cuticles? Making a homemade cuticle cream with Lavender essential oil is a great way to bring the moisture and healthy look back into your nails. You can also use this cream on your hands, lips, or anywhere you have dry spots. Check out our DIY for homemade cuticle cream, featuring the wonderful soothing abilities of Lavender essential oil.
One aromatic benefit that Lavender oil is widely known for is its ability to promote a relaxing atmosphere that leads to a restful night’s sleep. The calming properties of the oil help create a serene environment that is optimal for resting well and staying asleep. Wondering how you can use Lavender essential oil aromatically to aid in relaxation for a better night’s sleep? Add a few drops of Lavender to your pillows or bedding so that you inhale the aroma as you are drifting off to sleep. You can also apply Lavender oil to the bottoms of your feet as a part of a relaxing bedtime ritual.
Sun exposure is good, but too much of it can cause irritated skin. Thankfully, Lavender oil holds many soothing properties that are perfect for calming occasional skin irritations. If you’ve spent a little too much time in the sun and find your skin irritated, reach for a bottle of Lavender essential oil. The next time you are dealing with discomfort from too much sun, try this after-sun soothing spray with Lavender essential oil.
In addition to its calming aromatic properties, Lavender essential oil can also help ease feelings of tension when used internally.* While internal use of Lavender is often used to promote restful sleep, it can also promote relaxation and feelings of ease during your waking hours.* Whether you diffuse Lavender oil, or take it internally, this oil can be used at the end of a long, taxing day. Its light, floral scent will make you feel at ease and peaceful emotionally. It can also help you relax and drift into a peaceful sleep when taken internally.*
Whether you have kids, pets, or just a lot going on in your home, unwanted odors can sneak into nearly any room. Thankfully, the fresh, powdery, floral aroma of Lavender essential oil can get rid of musky, pungent smells that might be haunting your home. Combine Lavender oil with water in a spray bottle to create an instant solution for the unwanted smells that might be plaguing your home or belongings. Spray a light mist from your Lavender spray bottle into your car, linen closet, on your mattress, or any other areas that could use some freshening up.
Yes, Lavender is revered for its calming, soothing, and relaxing properties, but it is also widely used in cooking for its taste and fragrance. You can use Lavender oil when cooking to soften citrus flavors in lemon sauces for chicken or fish, marmalades, citrus salads, and more. Lavender oil will also add a flavorful twist to marinades, baked goods, and desserts. Take a look at this recipe for a Lavender-Blueberry-Banana-Coconut Ice Cream Shake, and see just how delicious Lavender oil can be.
The ancient Romans and Egyptians often used Lavender oil aromatically for relaxation purposes, and you can too. All your worries will slip away as you sink into a relaxing Lavender oil bath. Add a few drops of Lavender to your bath water or bath soap to reap the benefits of this tranquil, light aroma. You can also apply Lavender to your temples and back of the neck to enjoy its relaxing aroma and help melt away feelings of stress or tension. Whether applied topically, or added to a luxurious bath, Lavender oil is the perfect solution for when you want to unwind at the end of a long day.
Plant Description
A short shrub that grows to be roughly 2 feet tall, Lavender is native to the Mediterranean. The distinct, fresh scent of Lavender comes from the plant’s flowers, which is where the essential oil is extracted from. After extraction, Lavender essential oil is produced through the process of steam distillation. During steam distillation, steam and pressure are used to cause chemical elements to be released from the plant—separating water and the essential oil.
Fun Fact: It takes three pounds of Lavender flowers to produce just one 15 mL bottle of Lavender essential oil.
Chemistry of Lavender Oil
Main Chemical Components: Linalool, linalyl acetate
Lavender falls under the chemical compound group known as esters, which are typically characterized for their calming properties. The main chemical components of Lavender oil are Linalool and linalyl acetate. Essential oils that are high in Linalool, including Lavender, are known for their ability to reduce sad and anxious feelings.* When taken internally, Lavender essential oil can help reduce anxious feelings and promote restful sleep.* As an essential oil with chemical components known for its calming properties, Lavender can also be used to help ease feelings of tension.*
Oils that blend well with Lavender oil
As a floral, calming oil, Lavender oil blends well with bright, citrus oils like Bergamot or Citrus Bliss®. The light aroma of Lavender oil also makes it a good companion to herbaceous essential oils like Marjoram or Basil oil.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.”
Lavender Related Blog Posts:
How to make people faint when they shake your hand
Lemon Essential Oil
I love lemons. I try to drink 2 – 3 liters of water daily, and I’ve found that it is nearly impossible for me to do that unless I have lemon or some other flavor in the water. I find that to be the case with many of my patients. To make my water more interesting and exciting, I put a few drops of lemon essential oil in my water bottle, and I drink more water than I would have otherwise. I have challenged some of my patients to do the same, and they had the same results!
I also suffer from the 3 o’clock slump. Come 3:00PM, I literally start nodding off in the middle of doing my paperwork. A lot of my coworkers do the same. I found that if I diffuse lemon oil, I feel more energized and alert. I highly recommend it!
Here’s what I found about Lemon Essential oil on the dōTERRA website:
“The high limonene content found in this essential oil makes it a powerful antioxidant and a cleansing agent. In the ancient world, Egyptians used lemon oil to cleanse their bodies of toxins. It also aids in digestion, supports healthy respiratory function, and provides immune system support, especially during seasonal changes.*
How to Use:
Aromatic
•Add 2–4 drops to the diffuser of your choice to help boost your mood and improve the scent of the room.
•Rub 1–2 drops into your palms and inhale to invigorate your mind and body.
•Pour a couple drops into air vents to fill your house or car with a citrusy aroma.
Internal
•Add 1–2 drops to baked goods, beverages, or your favorite entrée to create a zesty flavor.
•Mix a couple drops with raw honey for immune-boosting benefits.*
•Add a couple drops to warm water with honey to help soothe irritated throat and boost your immune system.*
•Place a drop on your toothbrush or tongue for fresher breath and a cleaner mouth.
Topical
•Rub a drop on your hands after being in a public place such as a public bathroom or before pushing shopping carts.
•Apply to cleanse specific area on the skin.
•Massage 2–4 drops onto your skin to improve circulation
Other
•Rub 1–2 drops to remove gum, oil, grease, sap, or crayon.
•Combine with water in a spray bottle to clean surfaces.
•Use to clean silverware and baking dishes.
Plant Part: LEMON RINDS
Distillation Method: COLD PRESSED Unlike most other essential oils, citrus essential oils go through the expression distillation process, often referred to as “cold press.” This method uses high mechanical pressure instead of heat to squeeze out the oil from the rind of the plant.
Sourcing Origin: SICILY, ITALY
Interesting Fact
One lemon tree can produce between 500 and 600 pounds of lemons in a year. It takes about 45 lemons to fill up a 15mL bottle.”
Lemon-related Blog Posts:
Nilotic ANTI AGE CRÈME Sunrise Lemon
Kale Artichoke Tomato and Lemon One-Pot Pasta
Peppermint Essential Oil
I’ve never been a big fan of peppermint flavor, but I found that I could use this oil topically to help ease muscle tension and aromatically to uplift my mood.
Here’s what I got from the dōTERRA website regarding peppermint Essential Oil:
“The peppermint plant is a versatile perennial herb that has been cherished since ancient times. The plant’s first recorded appearance dates back to 1000 BC when dried peppermint leaves were found entombed in ancient Egyptian pyramids.1 Throughout time, this herb has been valued as a multi-purpose plant and an essential oil whose components are now used by cosmetic, culinary, and health industries around the world. Peppermint oil is also well known for its ability to help alleviate occasional stomach upset and promote healthy respiratory function when used internally.* With so many facets and uses, Peppermint essential oil continues to be one of doTERRA’s best-selling and highly-favored essential oils.
Where to Buy Peppermint Oil
To buy a pure bottle of Peppermint, visit the Peppermint essential oil product page.
Many essential oils available for purchase contain filler substances and contaminants that weaken the purity and power of the oil. However, at doTERRA, we know that a pure bottle of essential oil has the potential to change lives; that’s why doTERRA’s mission is to provide essential oils that are highly effective and free of additives and harmful contaminants. We guarantee pure essential oils through the CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade® quality protocol. This protocol includes a series of strict tests that ensure the essentials oils we sell are free from filler substances or impurities—making the doTERRA essential oils you purchase powerful and pure.
Peppermint Oil Uses and Benefits
Looking for something strong and natural to freshen your breath with? Mix a drop of Peppermint oil with a drop of Lemon essential oil in water, take a sip, and swirl it around in your mouth for a healthy, refreshing mouth rinse. One of the key ingredients to this mouth rinse is the menthol found in Peppermint. Menthol has been used for centuries for its ability to cleanse and freshen. When you use a drop of Peppermint oil in your mouth rinse, the menthol is what gives it a fresh and minty kick. This powerful and fresh element is why Peppermint is found in many oral health products today. When using this Peppermint mouth rinse, you will experience a pleasurable, cooling feeling your mouth will love and you will walk away confident, knowing that your breath smells just as good as it feels.
Peppermint oil is a culinary wonder and has been used to add a fresh boost to meals in kitchens all across the world. However, Peppermint is not just limited to cooked dishes; it also makes a great addition to any drink or smoothie. Try adding one to two drops of Peppermint essential oil to your favorite smoothie recipe for a refreshing twist. By adding the flavor of Peppermint oil to your morning smoothie, you can start your day feeling more refreshed than ever.
Don’t forget to get creative with your water, too! Add one drop of Peppermint with a cut fruit for a deliciously infused water. Peppermint oil makes a healthy addition to any drink because it helps promote healthy respiratory function and clear breathing, and by adding doTERRA Peppermint oil to the drink of your choice, you are encouraging healthy respiratory function in your body* while simultaneously adding a delicious flavor to your drinks.
Peppermint can be used aromatically to enliven the senses and promote a feeling of energy. This powerful oil can be extremely beneficial on its own, but when you add the right combination of essential oils to Peppermint, you get a wider variety of beneficial results. Try placing one drop of Peppermint oil in the palm of your hand, add one drop of Wild Orange essential oil and one drop of Frankincense essential oil, and inhale. This simple aromatic recipe is perfect for a mid-day pick-me-up.
Including Wild Orange and Frankincense in this Peppermint mixture adds to its aromatic benefits. Wild Orange carries a sweet and fresh citrus smell that is used to uplift the mind and body, while Frankincense is valued for its ability to promote feelings of relaxation. By combining these two essential oils with Peppermint’s soothing properties, the blend becomes an aromatic powerhouse that will have you feeling relaxed and energized for the tasks ahead.
Sometimes feet just get dried out. It happens, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with it. Try a do-it-yourself Whipped Peppermint Foot Lotion and show your feet how much you appreciate them. This is a simple and light lotion that includes natural ingredients like Peppermint and Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oils. After a long day, there are few things better than taking a seat and giving your feet the cooling sensation that this DIY lotion brings. For best results, try applying this lotion generously to your feet and then putting socks on before you go to bed. Whipped Peppermint Foot Lotion will not only leave your feet smelling fresh, it will transform your sandpaper heels into a silky dream.
Being outside in the sun can be a great way to uplift your mood, but sometimes too much sun exposure can quickly end your fun. Try this homemade After Sun Soothing Spray to maintain healthy-looking skin after too much sun. This soothing spray is filled with three powerful essential oils that calm and soothe irritated skin. One of the primary oils used in this spray is Peppermint. Peppermint is a perfect after-sun essential oil due to its high content of Menthol. Menthol is an organic substance in peppermint plants that will give your skin that cool and soothing feeling it needs after a hot day outdoors. Melaleuca (Tea Tree) essential oil and Lavender essential oil are two additional ingredients in this DIY that will improve the appearance of skin.
Looking for a long-lasting way to smell the sweet and minty aroma of Peppermint oil? Use this simple yet invigorating diffuser blend and enjoy this fresh aroma in your home, office, classroom, gym, or wherever you choose to go. To make this blend, combine 2 drops of Peppermint, 3 drops of Grapefruit, and 2 drops of Sandalwood into a diffuser. Using Peppermint essential oil in your diffuser will produce a cooling, invigorating vapor. Additionally, the grounding and mood-enhancing properties of Sandalwood and the uplifting benefits of Grapefruit will work well with the soothing and relaxing effects of Peppermint to produce an energizing and calming aroma that all will enjoy.
Peppermint oil makes a great addition to many dishes, especially treats. To create an extra pop of flavor, add a couple drops of Peppermint essential oil for a delightful and refreshing flavor.
The soothing components found in Peppermint essential oil make it a desirable oil for massages. Try adding Peppermint to your massage experiences and enjoy the pleasurable cooling feelings it brings to your skin while immersing yourself in its sweet and relaxing aroma. A great massage companion to Peppermint is Lavender. This combination will produce optimal soothing feelings that will add to any massage. You can also try adding Peppermint essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner for a stimulating hair massage that will provide the pampering your scalp deserves.
Looking for a way to repel bugs and spiders in your house? Luckily, Peppermint oil provides a perfect solution to ward off those creepy crawlers. Many bugs and spiders dislike the potent smell of Peppermint, consequently, Peppermint essential oil is used as a home remedy to repel bugs naturally. Try placing 1–3 drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and position them in the corners of your bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, laundry room, or wherever you think these unwanted guests might be.
If you or someone you know has trouble staying awake during long meetings or would like a natural method to feel alert, Peppermint oil used topically and aromatically can help. Because of the invigorating and cooling effects of pure Peppermint oil produces when it comes in contact with skin, Peppermint is an ideal oil for staying attentive and aware. In order to create this extra boost, place 1–2 drops of Peppermint on your finger tips and then place your fingertips on your temples and rub. This will help give you the natural sense of alertness you desire when you need it most.
Fun Fact
Peppermint’s scientific name is Mentha piperita. In ancient Greek Mythology, Minthe (also known as Mentha), a nymph, was transformed by Queen Persephone into a sweet-smelling mint.2
Plant Description
The peppermint plant is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint plants. This cooling and relaxing herb is characterized by its square stem, dark green leaves, and small bunches of light lavender flowers. The peppermint plant can grow to be approximately 18–36 inches tall and can be found in a variety of different areas. Peppermint is known to grow best by streams or in wet locations with a lot of rainfall. Due to its specific water needs, Peppermint is cultivated in Europe, Asia, and North America.
Chemistry of Peppermint Oil
Main Chemical Components: Menthol, Menthone, 1,8-Cineole
The main chemical component in Peppermint essential oil is menthol. Menthol has a monoterpene backbone with an alcohol functional group. Menthol contains energizing properties that contribute to the overall energizing effect of Peppermint oil. Menthol is known to soothe the smooth muscle that lines the colon.* This relaxant property occurs due to menthol’s ability to keep calcium channels working optimally. The relaxing of colon smooth muscle reduces the movement of bowels, which eases occasional bowel looseness. Because of this effect, menthol is a main contributor to Peppermint essential oil’s ability to promote digestive health.* When Peppermint is swallowed, typically it is followed by a cooling sensation. This response happens because menthol activates the TRPM8 receptor, an indicator of cold.3* To learn more about the chemical components of Peppermint oil or other essential oils, visit the doTERRA Science Blog.
Oils that Blend Well with Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil blends well with Oregano, Marjoram, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Geranium, Grapefruit, Juniper Berry, Lavender, Lemon, Rosemary, and Melaleuca (Tea Tree oil) essential oils for diffusion.
Cautions
Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.”
Peppermint related Blog Posts:
Untamed Natural Care – The Good Stuff that can be for everyone!
M & C Naturals – Natural & Affordable Skin Care!
References
https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-peppermint-oil
https://doterra.com/US/en/blog/spotlight-lavender-oil
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
Leave a Reply