An Essential Oil to Beat the Heat
Its 95 degrees in NYC at the moment, and with the heat index it feels more like a brick oven in hell. With our modern-day luxuries: air conditioners, iced-tea, the freezer section of the grocery store--its hard to imagine what life was like before these conveniences. The traditional medicines of our foremothers were certainly being used--natural botanicals, flowers, teas, tinctures and herbs are nature's gift to help us stay stay cool.
Peppermint is a great essential oil to use in these dog days of summer because of its cooling properties. Use a drop on the back of the neck or soak a washcloth in cold water with a few drops of Peppermint oil and place on your neck for a refreshing pick-me-up. Since Peppermint can create a tingly sensation for some people, try it in a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, the first time you use it. Don't think that once summer is over you have to shelve your Peppermint until Memorial Day. Peppermint oil is one of the most versatile oils. Here are some other ways to use it:
- add one drop to water and drink before eating to reduced bloating and gas*
- dilute in carrier oil and massage on temples and the back of the neck to relieve headaches
- To soothe itchy skin mix a few drops of Peppermint and Lavender and combine with a few tablespoons of coconut oil:
- mix Peppermint oil and coconut oil and rub on the soles of your child's feet to reduce fever
- support concentration and focus by inhaling Peppermint oil directly from the bottle
It's important to always use the highest quality Essential oils when using directly on your skin, near your children, or when ingesting them. As a wellness advocate for DoTERRA I stand behind their quality, rigorous testing and CPTG (Certified Pure Theraputic Grade) designation. Cheap oils, like cheap food, have been processed and altered, leaving only a fragrance with none of the vital, dynamic properties of a true essential oil.
* ingesting oils should only ever be done with oils that have the CPTG designation