The Many Uses of Peppermint Oil

PEPPERMINT OIL AS A SPIDER REPELLENT

Many essential oils can act as a natural insect and pest repellents. This is my favourite one…

Peppermint oil, which has a really strong odour, is one of those oils. Spiders, who apparently often smell with their legs and hair (who knew!) will avoid an area sprayed with peppermint oil.

To use this awesome natural repellent, simply mix 10 drops of peppermint essential oil with about 200ml of filtered water. Spray around your doorways, windowsills, corners and all those little nooks and crannies where spiders like to hang out. Reapply every couple of weeks.

I have also heard of some people adding white vinegar to this formula. I'm yet to experiement with that.

Be sure not to use a plastic spray bottle, as essential oils can react with some plastics. Glass or aluminium is best.

The only drawback of this remedy I can see is that – being natural – it doesn’t actually kill the spiders, and I may just be drawing them out to other areas of the house. Like next to my bed at night, crawling on my face while I’m asleep… blachkkhckhky.

Now I can hear the roar of outrage from spider lovers everywhere… those crazy people that pick up giant spiders and release them outside. Blchy. I’m dry-reaching just thinking about it. You are clearly not arachnophobes. If a spider does not want to die, it should not come into my house. Simple! Soz!

MORE WAYS TO USE PEPPERMINT

Now peppermint oil is quite a versatile little oil. Active ingredients include menthol, menthone, cineol, pulegone, limonene, and other powerful organic acids and antioxidants.

Records of the use of mint plants for medicinal purposes go all the way back to the times of Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome.

I use it to assist with my many headaches by dabbing it on my temples and behind my ears and neck. Use caution, the fumes will get in your eyes if you’re not careful with this technique, and you should always patch-test anything new you put on your skin.

Mixing 5-6 drops in your shampoo or conditioner delivers nutrients to the scalp to assist with dry scalp or inflammatory conditions, as well as a repellent to nits. You can also use it directly as a scalp massage by mixing it with jojoba oil, almond oil or coconut oil. Rub the mixture thoroughly into your scalp right down to the roots.

Peppermint oil has been used for many other purposes, such as a refreshment from fatigue, improving digestive health, relief of muscle aches as well as the common cold and headaches.

What else have you used peppermint oil for?

Looking for more earth-friendly ways to clean around the house?

Please Note: This is not intended as medical advice. Do your own research and use caution with essential oils in pregnancy and around cats. Always perform a patch test before applying directly to skin. Can be diluted with carrier oil. No spiders were harmed in the research of this blog.