Peppermint foot rub
A cooling evening foot rub for tired feet after a long day on them. A spoonful of carrier oil, a single drop of peppermint, eight minutes on the sofa.
Steps
Wash and dry the feet first
A brief lukewarm wash, then a careful dry between the toes. The skin should be warm and clean before the oil goes on.
Mix the oil very low
One tablespoon of a neutral carrier oil (sweet almond, sunflower, or apricot kernel) into a small bowl. Add one single drop of peppermint essential oil and stir with a clean spoon. One drop is enough for both feet; more is not better.
Sit comfortably on the sofa
A towel under the feet, the other foot to start in your lap. The room is quiet, the light low, the phone in another room if you can manage it.
Work from the heel forward
A small amount of the oil on the palms. Begin at the heel with steady firm circles, work up the arch, then long strokes from the ball of the foot to each toe one by one. About three minutes per foot.
Rest a few minutes before standing
When both feet are done, sit a few minutes longer with the feet flat on the towel. The cool tingle from the peppermint lasts a quarter hour and is most pleasant if you stay sitting.
Peppermint essential oil is concentrated and must always be diluted in a carrier oil before going on the skin; a single drop in a tablespoon of carrier is the right dilution for foot skin. Never apply undiluted essential oil. Not for infants or small children: peppermint can affect breathing in young children and should not go near their face or chest. Not on broken skin, open blisters, or eczema flares. People with very sensitive skin can patch test on the inside of the wrist twenty four hours in advance. Wash hands after the rub and avoid touching the eyes. In pregnancy and breastfeeding, the very low dilution used here is generally considered appropriate, but ask your midwife if you prefer a second opinion.