September 11, 2023
Fatigue is a term used to describe an overall lack of energy or feeling of tiredness. Many people today reach for energy drinks or shots loaded with caffeine to avoid fatigue. However, this may make things worse in the long run and actually contribute to your fatigue. Genetics aside, consumption of caffeine triggers the release of cortisol. High caffeine levels can negatively affect cortisol and energy levels. Too much caffeine can even overwork your adrenals (to produce cortisol excessively) and make them work less efficiently. A more natural solution for fatigue may be peppermint essential oil.
Peppermint is a medicinal herb in folk medicine and it is commonly applied in the medication for flu, headache, red eyes, fever and sore throat, and it is also used as a flavoring agent and functional tea. Peppermint contains a variety of ingredients that are classified as peppermint essential oil (PEO) and non-essential components including steroids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, phenolic acids, etc. Peppermint essential oil , consisting mainly of menthol, menthone, neomenthol and iso-menthone, is a mixture of biologically active secondary metabolites with antiinflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, scolicidal, immunomodulatory, antitumor, neuroprotective, antifatigue and antioxidant activities. Cumulative evidence reveals that Peppermint essential oil may pharmacologically protect gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, skin, respiratory, brain and nervous systems, and exert hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. Clinically, Peppermint essential oil is used for gastrointestinal and dermatological diseases, in addition to other postoperative adjuvant therapy.
According to recent studies, menthol in peppermint may increase cellular energy metabolism by stimulating the central nervous system. Specifically, menthol stimulates the adrenal cortex to enhance energy. In addition, clinical research shows that peppermint increases alertness and improves mental freshness.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35994817
Inhale peppermint when feeling fatigued or place one drop on your tongue to promote alertness and mental freshness.