What to do against the sweltering heat, which leaves us nervous and often keeps us up at night? Maybe with hot feet after a day spent at the beach or hiking in the mountains? Nature comes to our aid by offering essential oils with a refreshing action. Let's try to understand better.
Mint and eucalyptus, essences against the heat
The essential oil of peppermint is obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of this aromatic plant with such a fresh and stimulating scent. Mint essential oil is antiseptic, antiviral, antispasmodic, insect repellent, stimulant, useful against headaches and neuralgia, but above all it is refreshing, thus giving the skin on which it is applied a feeling of freshness (Thosar et al, Eur J Dent, 2013). Menthol is the active ingredient that determines this characteristic, also useful to relieve heavy legs and conditions such as varicose veins that, especially with hot weather, can cause problems (Rita de Cássia da Silveira e Sá et al, Int J Mol Sci, 2017). In fact, the neurons responsible for evaluating body temperature are sensitive to menthol (McKemy et al, CRC Press / Taylor & Francis, 2007). Menthol is an active ingredient of the terpene family and is also found in other essential oils obtained from the plants of the mint family, such as Mentha spicata or spearmint (Ataabadi et al, Adv Pharm Bull, 2017). But in nature there is also another active ingredient that acts as a natural refreshing agent, eucalyptol. Eucalyptol is contained in eucalyptus essential oil (Beccari et al, Nature, 2017).
Refreshing massage
How to take advantage of the refreshing properties of the essential oils of mint and eucalyptus? With a massage oil prepared for this purpose. Pour 100 ml of a vegetable oil, such as jojoba oil, into a glass bottle, preferably dark. Add 10 drops of peppermint essential oil and 10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. After a bath or shower, when the skin is still damp, apply a little of this refreshing oil by massaging the skin until absorbed. You will feel a pleasant sensation of freshness. This massage can also help relax sore and tight muscles and relieves the sensation of heavy legs.
