My daughter-in-law Shannah, is expecting (grandbaby #3!) and is suffering with morning sickness. I sent her some peppermint & ginger essential oils - to smell straight from the bottle; diffuse in the air; or to make a tea with.
Note: Not all essential oils are good to take internally, but these are organic, pure essential oils - the FDA rated them as GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe); you can smear a drop on a tea bag, or by mixing a drop in honey and adding hot water you will create your own peppermint or ginger tea!
Why peppermint or ginger EO's?
Well, peppermint or Mentha piperita, has many great qualities to help Shannah's nausea. It is known for its effect on the digestive system because it has a slightly anesthetic effect on stomach muscles. Peppermint is good for travel sickness, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, colic, nausea and since it opens up the breathing passages (menthol) it helps to keep drivers alert while on the road. I ALWAYS diffuse peppermint on long road trips - really works!
It is also known for topical use: it has antesthetic and a unique dual action: cooling when hot and warming when cold.
Peppermint is often used to ease headaches, migraines and toothaches; you will find it in liniments for the relief of muscle pain, lumbago, bruises, joint pain and insect bites.
Nothing is better for a sinus headache then a good whiff of peppermint! Just close one nostril, get a good whiff of peppermint, blow your nose and take another whiff. Repeat on the other side. Works like a charm to open up the sinuses! One thing to be careful of - don't touch the peppermint to your nose - trust me you will KNOW if you do! (The tingle will go away - but this is a very sensitive area - trust me, I KNOW!)
Now Ginger, or Zingiber officinale, also can be used like peppermint - to smell straight from the bottle; diffuse in the air; or to make a tea with. It really depends on which scent you like better. Ginger is a warmer, woodier scent - and to be honest - I have a CO2 oil that I import from India that is just wonderful!
Ginger also settles the digestive system, effective against nausea, hangovers, jet lag, sea and travel sickness. It is used a lot in Ayuredic medicine as a good all-around tonic, because it increases the body's metabolism (great for weight loss). It also relieves cramps, rheumatic pains and muscle spasms when blended in a carrier oil and used topically.
An interesting use for Ginger is that it is considered a valuable remedy in cases of impotence. Now for that - I recommend either a very, very weak dilution (less than 1% dilution) for massage - or to be on the safe side - diffuse. My CO2 Ginger is very pure & VERY warming! :-) Hot Stuff! :-)
Blessings ~
