As a horse and dog mom, I've come to appreciate the power of natural remedies, especially when it comes to my dog, Tuli. She tends to experience discomfort during car rides, especially to the vet. Since incorporating spearmint oil into our routine, she has been much more comfortable. This experience is just one example of the many benefits of spearmint essential oil, derived from the aromatic leaves of the spearmint plant (Mentha spicata). Renowned for its wide range of properties and uses for wellness benefits, spearmint oil offers a variety of uses that make it a smart investment for anyone seeking holistic wellness solutions. In this blog post, I'll delve into not only how spearmint oil can benefit you, but also how it can be used safely and effectively for your horses and dogs, along with some of my favorite ways to use spearmint.
Understanding Essential Oils: Nature's Potent Extracts
Essential oils are highly concentrated extracts derived from the natural power of plants. They are extracted from various parts of plants and they capture the plant's scent, flavor, and beneficial properties, making them potent tools for natural health and wellness.
Spearmint (Mentha spicata) is a member of the mint family and a perennial herb known for its refreshing aroma and wellness properties. The oil is extracted from the leaves of the spearmint plant through a process of steam distillation, preserving its natural properties. Spearmint oil is revered for its cooling effect, which can help soothe discomfort when applied topically. Spearmint oil's minty, fresh scent can be particularly beneficial when experiencing digestive discomfort, or in helping to promote mental clarity. Its versatility extends to respiratory health, making it a great addition to any essential oil collection.
While in some cases, depending upon the essential oil you are using and your level of experience, it may be ok to use undiluted oils. However, best practice is to dilute essential oils before use to prevent skin irritation and ensure safe absorption by the body. Organic fractionated coconut oil is a popular choice for dilution, as it serves as an excellent carrier oil for essential oils like spearmint. Its light, less greasy, and absorbs quickly into the skin.
If you are using the essential oil with your horses and dogs, its always a good idea to dilute.
When selecting essential oils, quality is paramount. Look for oils that are pure and free from additives or synthetic ingredients. High-quality and premium essential oils will be more effective and less likely to cause adverse reactions. Avoid oils labeled as 'fragrance oils,' as these are synthetic and do not offer the same wellness benefits as true essential oils. It's also advisable to look for oils that are third-party tested or certified by reputable organizations, as this can further validate their quality and purity.
For a guarantee of purity, I personally recommend checking out my company's essential oils HERE, which are backed by their Seed to Seal® guarantee. I've visited their farms, participated in planting and harvesting, and can attest to their transparency and commitment to quality. This level of involvement and transparency sets them apart, ensuring that I never have to worry about the purity of the oils I purchase from them.
Benefits of Spearmint: More Than Just a Fragrance
Spearmint oil offers a wealth of benefits beyond its delightful aroma. One of its most notable qualities is its cooling effect, which makes it an excellent choice for soothing muscle discomfort and joints. Whether you've overexerted yourself during a workout or simply need to unwind after a long day, a massage blend containing spearmint oil can provide much-needed support. I will often add a couple of tablespoons of Epsom salts to a 5 gallon bucket, add 5 drops of spearmint oil and 5 drops of peppermint oil, then fill up with water and sponge my horse off after exercise. It's perfect to support the body after a hard workout. You could do the same thing to your bath water at the end of a long day.
In addition to its physical benefits, spearmint oil is also valued for its ability to promote mental clarity and alertness. The invigorating scent of spearmint can help support focus and concentration, making it a valuable tool for study sessions or workdays that require heightened cognitive function.
I enjoy inhaling the aroma of spearmint from the bottle before my riding lessons. This ritual helps me tune in and focus, which is also especially helpful in working equitation when at a show, where memorizing tests and obstacles is key. I do find that the aroma enhances my ability to concentrate and remember.
Spearmint oil's benefits extend to the digestive system as well. The aroma of spearmint oil can help promote soothing feelings during stomach discomfort and may support healthy digestion.
Spearmint oil can also be helpful for the respiratory and immune system and is a great choice for an essential oil diffuser blend.
Diffusing Spearmint
Diffusing spearmint oil is a great way to enjoy its fresh, minty aroma and benefit from its refreshing scent. The scent can be particularly soothing during moments of digestive discomfort, offering a sense of wellness. Personally, I find it helpful to diffuse spearmint in the car when traveling with my dog, Tuli, especially to the vet, as she tends to experience discomfort during car rides. Since incorporating this into our routine, she has been much more comfortable. For a simple car diffuser, add a drop or 2 of essential oil onto a cotton ball and place in your air vent.
While you can simply smell spearmint oil from the bottle, creating an essential oil blend with spearmint not only enhances the aromatic experience but also combines the unique properties of each oil for a synergistic effect. These blends can help uplift your mood, promote relaxation, enhance focus, or provide seasonal support, depending on your needs.
Spearmint is classified as a top note in aromatherapy, which means it is one of the first scents you notice when you smell an essential oil blend. Top notes are typically light, fresh, and uplifting, and they tend to evaporate quickly. You can combine spearmint with a middle note and base note for a balanced blend, or blend it with other top notes like citrus oils.The sky's the limit to creating an array of exciting recipes!
Here are some of my go to diffuser blends:
Car Ride Diffuser Blend:
- Spearmint essential oil
- Ginger essential oil
Add a drop of each to a cotton ball and stick in your air vent.
Home Diffuser Blends
1. Energizing Blend
- 3 drops Spearmint
- 3 drops Lemon
2. Relaxing Blend
- 2 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Ylang Ylang
3. Focus Blend
- 3 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Rosemary
- 1 drop Frankincense
4. Breath Of Fresh Air
- 2 drops Spearmint
- 2 drops Juniper Berry
- 2 drops Lemon
Topical Application
Another great choice to enjoy the benefits of spearmint oil is through topical application. By diluting spearmint oil in a carrier oil, such as organic fractionated coconut oil or jojoba oil, you can create a blend with a pleasant aroma that can also promote overall wellness. Applying this blend to the upper chest can help support airways, making it ideal for respiratory support. You can also apply this to your stomach for digestive support or even the upper throat area to support all levels of digestion.
Enhancing your personal care products with spearmint oil is another simple yet effective way to enjoy spearmint oil. For instance, a great option would be to add it to your lotion or shampoo. One of my favorite blends involves adding 10 drops of spearmint, 5 drops of rosemary, and 10 drops of blue tansy to my natural shampoo. The best part is that this combination is really refreshing for first thing in the morning but equally relaxing for showers at night. The addition of blue tansy and rosemary can help promote scalp health.
As a massage therapist, creating massage blends with spearmint is another favorite way of mine to use this essential oil. It comes in handy with my horses and dogs too. Here are 3 of my favorite blends with spearmint that I've used over the years. I like to use an organic fractionated coconut oil base as the carrier as it's light, non greasy and absorbs well.
Horse Muscle Support Blend:
- 10 drops Lavender essential oil
- 10 drops spearmint essential oil
- 10 drops copaiba essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 5 drops wintergreen essential oil
- Dilute in a 4 ounces of a carrier oil of your choice
Soothing Tummy Blend For Dogs:
- 3 drops Peppermint oil
- 2 drops spearmint oil
- 2 drops ginger oil
- Dilute in 2 ounces of carrier oil of your choice
Energizing Blend For People:
- 3 drops spearmint essential oil
- 2 drops lemon essential oil
- 2 drops black pepper essential oil
- 5 drops basil essential oil
- Dilute in 2 ounces of carrier oil of your choice
You can also make essential oil roll-ons for topical use. Use rollerball blends as a convenient way to have essential oils pre-diluted for use with your dogs and horses, and also for when you are on the go.
I love to make and use this tummy tamer rollerball blend for travel, as you never know what eating unfamiliar foods can do-haha!
Tummy Tamer Rollerball Blend:
- 5 drops Ginger
- 5 drops Peppermint
- 5 drops Spearmint
- Fill the rest of the rollerball with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil.
As A Supplement
And yes, spearmint is also suitable for internal use. Spearmint essential oil is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, meaning it is considered safe for consumption when used appropriately. You may already be ingesting essential oils unknowingly, as they are common in gums, beverages, and as preservatives. However, it's crucial to only use an essential oil labeled for consumption to ensure its purity and safety. If you're not comfortable ingesting essential oils, there are plenty of other ways to enjoy the benefits of spearmint essential oil.
One of my favorite go-to drinks during hot summer days is a refreshing Spearmint Limeade. This twist on classic lemonade offers a burst of flavor that's perfect for recharging after a day of grooming and training at the barn. I like 2 drops but you can add more to suit your desired taste.
Spearmint Limeade:
- 1/2 cup fresh lime juice
- 4 cups cold water
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 drops Spearmint essential oil labeled for ingestion
- fresh spearmint leaves (optional if available and fun)
Instructions:
- Add the honey to a pitcher and add the 2 drops of Spearmint essential oil, stir to combine.
- Add lime juice and water and stir until the honey is dissolved.
- Serve over ice and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
Enjoy this refreshing drink on a hot day or as a zesty accompaniment to your favorite summer meal!
Spearmint essential oil is a great addition with a potential powerhouse of wellness benefits that deserves a place in every natural remedy toolkit.
Whether you're looking to create a refreshing diffuser blend, a soothing massage blend, or use it with your horses and dogs, spearmint oil can be seamlessly incorporated into your daily routine.
Ready to experience the refreshing benefits of spearmint oil? Click HERE to grab your bottle today! By purchasing through this link, you're not only taking a step towards holistic wellness but also supporting my work. Plus, it won't cost you anything extra! So why not harness some plant therapy and incorporate spearmint oil into your daily routine?
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