What are the symptoms of strep throat?
Sore throats are one of the most common diseases worldwide. They affect approximately 1 out of every 100 people annually, with men twice as likely to get it than women. The disease is caused by germs called Streptococcus mutans which live in your nose or throat. These germs cause inflammation and pain when they multiply too much in your airways (nasopharynx). If left untreated, these germs can lead to infection and even death.
The best way to prevent getting sore throats is by keeping your nasal passages clean. Keeping them clean will also reduce the chances of catching a cold.
There are several ways to do this:
Wash your hands often. Wash your face frequently.
Use antibacterial soap and water when possible. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, mouth or genitals after using the bathroom. Keep away from children and animals.
How does peppermint work against strep throat?
Peppermint oil is known to have anti-bacterial properties, so it may be able to stop the spread of germs in the body. It can also numb the pain receptors in the throat.
Peppermint oil is safe for adults and children when used in an appropriate amount. Children should NEVER use undiluted forms of peppermint oil.
Adults who are not familiar with using essential oils regularly should start slow. A one percent dilution of peppermint oil is safe for most people. Start with one drop of peppermint oil mixed with one teaspoon of a carrier oil. Slowly increase the amount as long as you don’t experience any irritation to the skin or negative side effects.
How do you make a sore throat spray with peppermint oil?
Peppermint oil should be diluted before placing it in your mouth. It can be diluted with a carrier oil or lotion, or placed directly into a storage bottle filled with water.
What Else Can You Use Instead Of Peppermint Oil For A Sore Throat?
Peppermint is not the only essential oil that can be used for a sore throat. Other oils that can be used include:
Lemon: Lemon oil is mainly used for its antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is good at killing viruses and bacteria in the body, which is why it is commonly used in cleaning solutions.
Lavender: Lavender is commonly used as an anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. It can be mixed with a carrier oil to massage the throat gently.
Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is another decongestant, just like peppermint. It can be used in a cold or flu rinse to help open up stuffy noses.
Using eucalyptus and peppermint oil together may give you more decongestant benefits.
Fennel: Fennel oil is rich in antioxidants and can be used for treating sore throats and coughs. It can also help soothe the pain and discomfort caused by a sore throat.
How To Use Peppermint Oil For A Sore Throat?
There are several different ways you can use pepperment oil to relive your sore throat:
Add one drop of pepperment oil to a spoonful of honey. Eat this twice a day for best results.
Use this two to three times a day, or as needed. Combine 2 tablespoons of carrier oil with one drop of pepperment oil, and gently rub on the outside of your throat. In a storage bottle, combine 2 teaspoons of carrier oil with 20 drops of pepperment oil. Massage this mixture on the outside of your throat.
What Are The Precautions When Using Peppermint Oil For A Sore Throat?
Pepperment oil can be used by nearly everyone. It is non-toxic and very safe. However, you may experience some side effects when using a large amount of pepperment oil for a long period of time. These include:
Diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort
If you are allergic to plants in the mentha family (which includes pepperment) you may experience an allergic reaction. This can range from a rash to hives to difficulty breathing.
If you have severe reactions to this oil, seek immediate medical attention
Pepperment oil can sometimes increase menstrual cramps. If you are suffering from a really bad time of the month, it is best to avoid using large amounts of pepperment oil
What Are The Side Effects Of Peppermint Oil For A Sore Throat?
There are very few side effects that come with using pepperment oil. Most of these side effects can be avoided by diluting the oil before use and not using too much of it. The most common side effect is gastrointestinal discomfort or diarrhea. You can avoid this by diluting the oil before use, as well as taking it in small amounts. Another common side effect is allergic reaction. This can show up as hives, a rash, difficulty breathing, or swelling. If you experience any of these reactions, seek immediate medical attention.
What Conditions Can Be Helped With Peppermint Oil?
Pepperment oil can help with a wide variety of conditions. It is an excellent pain reliever, antiseptic, decongestant, and the list goes on. It can help with the following conditions:
Pepperment oil can also help with weight loss, as it increases the rate of metabolism. It helps stimulate and regulate digestive enzymes and other chemicals that are responsible for proper digestion, which in turns speeds up the entire digestive process, including the metabolism.
In addition to this, pepperment oil can help relieve stress and fatigue.
What Is The Peppermint Oil With DMSO?
Pepperment oil is fairly potent by itself. It can be a powerful pain reliever, and other benefits. However, you can make it even stronger by using a substance called dimethyl sulfoxide (or DMSO) as a vehicle for it. DMSO is an organic compound that is colorless and has a rather offensive odor. It is not very soluble in water, but it is soluble in oil. This allows it to function as a carrier for the pepperment oil. It will help make the pepperment more potent, and spread it through your body faster. You can use other oils as a vehicle also, such as sesame seed oil or almond oil as well.
To use DMSO, you should add 20 drops of pepperment oil and 2-4 tablespoons of DMSO to a spray bottle.
Sources & references used in this article:
Clinical aromatherapy-e-book: Essential oils in practice by J Buckle – 2014 – books.google.com
Antibacterial activity of essential oils from Eucalyptus and of selected components against multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens by S Mulyaningsih, F Sporer, J Reichling… – Pharmaceutical …, 2011 – Taylor & Francis
Echinacea/sage or chlorhexidine/lidocaine for treating acute sore throats: a randomized double-blind trial by A Schapowal, D Berger, P Klein, A Suter – European journal of medical …, 2009 – Springer
Aromatherapy: short overview by M Bharkatiya, RK Nema, KS Rathore… – … Journal of Green …, 2008 – greenpharmacy.info
Treatment of upper respiratory tract infections in primary care: a randomized study using aromatic herbs by E Ben-Arye, N Dudai, A Eini, M Torem… – … Alternative Medicine, 2011 – hindawi.com
Antibacterial activity of the essential oils from the leaves of Eucalyptus globulus against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus by RG Bachir, M Benali – Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2012 – ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, Revised and Expanded: Over 800 Natural, Nontoxic, and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health, Beauty … by VA Worwood – 2016 – books.google.com
