What Is Peppermint Oil?

Peppermint oil is derived from the peppermint plant — a cross between watermint and spearmint — that thrives in Europe and North America.

Peppermint oil is commonly used as flavoring in foods and beverages and as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics. It’s also used for a variety of health conditions and can be taken orally in dietary supplements or topically as a skin cream or ointment.

Research suggests that peppermint oil likely can help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. It may also help indigestion and prevent spasms in the GI tract caused by endoscopy or barium enema. Some studies show that used topically it may help soothe tension headaches, but more research is needed to confirm these studies.

Peppermint oil may cause side effects like heartburn and it may interact with certain medications. Talk to your health care provider before using peppermint oil.

Peppermint oil for bugs

You can use peppermint oil to keep away flies, ants, spiders, and sometimes cockroaches. The oil has compounds, such as menthol, that can help manage mites, mosquito larvae, and other pests. These compounds give peppermint oil its strong scent, which insects like ants and spiders don’t like. If they sense it, they’ll usually avoid it. Keep in mind that peppermint oil doesn’t kill these pests. It just repels them.

Peppermint oil for hair

While peppermint oil is often included in hair products for its scent, some people use the oil specifically as a hair loss treatment. Peppermint oil can not only help keep you from losing hair, but it’s also shown to help your hair grow. One study even found that it worked as well as minoxidil, an FDA-approved hair loss treatment. The menthol compound in peppermint also promotes blood flow when applied to the skin, so the oil can help stimulate your scalp, encouraging hair growth.

While some people add a couple of drops of peppermint oil directly onto their scalp, it’s generally best to dilute it. You can also combine it with a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, before you massage it into your hair, or mix a drop or two of the oil into hair products before applying or add a few drops to shampoo and conditioner bottles.

Benefits of Peppermint Oil

Today, peppermint oil is known for its many health benefits, whether applied directly to the skin or taken in other forms.

Pain. When inhaled or used on your skin, peppermint oil may help soothe headaches, muscle aches, and joint pain.

Skin issues. Peppermint oil can calm and soothe skin because of menthol’s cooling effect. This may help ease itching and irritation from issues like hives, poison ivy, or poison oak.

Sickness. You can also use the essential oil to treat colds, sinus infections, and coughs. To help open nasal passages, breathe in steam from hot water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil. The menthol in peppermint works as a decongestant and can loosen mucus. Studies have also found that the oil has antibacterial traits as well as antiviral properties against herpes.