Indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, the Peppermint plant is now widely spread and cultivated in many regions of the world. Peppermint has square stems, dark green leaves, and blunt clusters of pinkish flowers. As with other mints, the plant can spreads by means of its underground stems.  Peppermint Oil is nearly a colourless essential oil distilled with steam from the herb and is widely used for chewing gum, and medicines.

Peppermint oil has long been known to offer outstanding medicinal value for treating everything from headaches and depression to a cough. In fact, it’s one of the best essential oils for a cough as it contains menthol, the main ingredient used in cough drops and used to treat sore throats and also offers antiviral and antibacterial properties along with antispasmodic and anti-cough effects. With the ability to neutralise a virus it provides a cooling effect for immediate relief of that scratchy throat while reducing the severity of a cough and improving your ability to breathe normally. Peppermint oil can be used by combining a few drops of coconut oil to make a chest rub.

Peppermint oil could calm the symptoms of cold sore and for best results can even prevent it if applied diluted with a carrier directly to the cold sore at the first sign of it.

Peppermint essential oil is used in the Sore Throat, Colds & Congestion and Cough massage oil blend treatment at Oriental Massage Galway (OMG).