If you haven’t tried peppermint oil for your natural hair yet, you’re in for a treat. Women everywhere have been raving about the oil, and even men are using it to grow their beards fuller.
Peppermint oil is a tried and true essential oil that’s been around for thousands of years to heal the body. So why is everybody raving about it now?
It’s because it grows hair like crazy. This special potion has been sitting right under your nose the whole time.
In this article, you’ll find out how and why people are using this amazing oil.
Benefits of Peppermint Oil for Hair
Let’s take a look at peppermint’s numerous benefits:
- Hair Growth – The oil works to stimulate hair growth by carrying oxygen to the follicle. Read more about peppermint oil for hair growth in the section below.
- Helps Balance pH – Remember high and low porosity hair? Yes, this is where peppermint oil comes to the rescue. Maintaining a balanced pH is important because it helps normalize the cuticle. Acidity causes the cuticles to contract, while alkalinity gets the cuticles to open. It’s best to balance the hair between 4.5 and 5.5 pH.
- Improves Scalp Health – This is a big one if you have a dry scalp condition. Peppermint essential oil is anti-inflammatory, antifungal, and fights bacteria too. This will help with any irritation and itchiness you might have.
How Effective is Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth?
The answer in one word: Very! Users report that hair growth is as fast as 3 inches in 2 weeks!
This essential oil works to relax blood vessels and ease the blood flow to the hair follicle. You’ll feel peppermint tingling the moment it touches your scalp.
Even the smell will energize you. It’s the menthol compound in the oil that invigorates and revives hair follicles.
The blood’s increased activity means your scalp gets more nutrition. If you’re considering using peppermint oil for transitioning hair, you’ll be happy to know that it will help for this in-between stage.
Try it if your hair is prone to breakage or if it’s not as thick and lustrous as you’d like. You can use peppermint oil for relaxed hair too.
It works to eliminate dry hair, providing moisture to your locks. Are you wondering about the benefits of peppermint vs. tea tree oil?
Both tingle the scalp, but tea tree works in a different way because it helps to cleanse and unclog hair follicles. Tea tree also helps with a dry scalp because it encourages the sebaceous glands to produce natural oils.
It’s a cleaning agent that clears dandruff and flaking. It’s this cleansing that clears the scalp of dead skin cells and build-up.
On the other hand, peppermint oil works deeper to send blood flow to the follicle, thus giving the root the nourishment it needs.
How to Use Peppermint Oil for your Hair
Using peppermint oil on a regular basis will create thick, full, soft hair. Use the oil to massage into the scalp and as a deep conditioner.
See below for a fantastic peppermint oil hair mask. Aloe Vera and peppermint oil are a wonderful moisturizing combo and will sooth the most irritated scalp.
Both are anti-inflammatory agents that heal the skin and promote health. For best results with aloe vera, use a plant.
- Slice the leaf open to use the gel
- Mix a small amount with 2 drops of peppermint oil
- Massage into the scalp and leave for 30 minutes to two hours
- Then wash as usual
To make peppermint oil even more effective, do the inversion method.
- Stand with your legs straight and bend over to let the blood rush to your head
- Then massage the oil gently into your scalp for 5 minutes daily
- You can also use peppermint to clean hair between washes
- It invigorates the scalp and refreshes the hair, like a wash
- Apply a small amount of peppermint and a carrier oil like jojoba oil to the scalp and smooth it through the hair
- Just be sure not to put the oil on your scalp directly as the tingling sensation will be too much. Another easy way to get peppermint into your hair care regimen is to make a peppermint oil shampoo and a peppermint oil hair conditioner.
- Add 2-4 drops to each bottle and shake to mix well
How to Make Peppermint Oil for Hair
It’s easy to add it to your natural hair care regimen. You’ll need to dilute it first.
Mixing peppermint oil and water makes a basic diluted version of the oil. But if you don’t want to wet your hair, you can mix peppermint with a carrier oil.
Here are a few ideas for mixers:
- Castor Oil and Peppermint Oil. These two oils complement each other well to heal and rejuvenate both the hair and the follicle. Make it by adding 3-4 drops of peppermint to 3-4 ounces of castor. Mix in a small bottle and massage into the scalp daily.
- Jojoba and Peppermint Oil. This is an excellent combo to get the porosity of the hair back to normal. Having very open or closed cuticles often means dryness. To combat dryness, add 4 drops of peppermint to 4 tablespoons of Jojoba oil and mix into a heat-proof Pyrex measuring cup. Then create a double-broiler by placing the cup over a saucepan of water on the stove. Let the oil heat in the cup and then remove and use to moisturize hair and scalp. Use as a pre-poo before washing.
- Peppermint and Coconut Oil. This combination will soften hair and add shine. It smells wonderful too. Mix 5 drops peppermint to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin coconut oil. Massage into the scalp and hair. Be sure to moisturize the ends of your hair too. Place a plastic cap over the hair and a towel to add heat. Leave it in your hair 2 hours, then shower.
Peppermint Oil Hair Growth Recipe
Lavender and peppermint oil are the top two most widely used essential oils in America. Lavender oil stimulates hair growth by increasing blood circulation.
It can heal acne and scars on the scalp too, making it easier for hair follicles to do their job. Both essential oils are versatile, with dozens of uses for the skin, hair, and body.
You’ve probably heard of peppermint and rosemary oil too. Using tiny amounts of this combination will work wonders to grow hair.
Rosemary works to increase blood circulation in the scalp and combats premature graying. You’ve probably noticed that all three of these essential oils have something in common: they all increase blood circulation of the scalp, thus stimulating hair growth.
Curious about why it’s so important to circulate the blood? Blood provides cells with proper nutrients for hair growth.
You can increase the strength of your blood by eating lean protein and life-giving fruits and vegetables. Get exercise and drink plenty of quality water too.
Chugging at least eight glasses a day will help blood carry oxygen to the scalp. More oxygen means better circulation and healthier hair.
The following DIY recipe contains all three essential oils for optimum hair growth.
Ingredients:
- 3 Drops Peppermint Oil
- 3 Drops Rosemary Oil
- 3 Drops Lavender Oil
- 2 tbs. Pumpkin Seed Oil
- 2 tbs. Jamaican Black Castor Oil
Instructions:
- Mix all oils in an applicator bottle
- Apply on parted hair daily and massage into the scalp
- Do inversion method while massaging for best results
Side Effects
Peppermint oil is a potent essential oil and may not be suitable for everyone. Some users have reported a rash, and others have complained of headaches.
It’s strong. If you have a sensitive scalp, you’ll want to dilute it even further or avoid it altogether.
Aren’t you dying to know how and where to buy peppermint oil now? Thought so.
The best peppermint oil for hair is one that is 100% pure peppermint oil and that does not include any carrier oils in the bottle. It’s very easy to find it at just about any health food store.
Try Whole Foods, Sprouts or get it online at Mountain Rose Herbs or
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Aren’t you dying to know how and where to buy peppermint oil now? Thought so. The best peppermint oil for hair is one that is 100% pure peppermint oil and that does not include any carrier oils in the bottle. It’s very easy to find it at just about any health food store. Try Whole Foods, Sprouts or get it online at Mountain Rose Herbs or
Auto Amazon Links: No products found.
Hey Curl Friend, I’m Patrina Haupt the creator and author of Natural Hair Queen. I hope you find my healthy hair care tips helpful in your hair journey. Healthy hair care practices are definitely, what helped me to achieve waist length hair.
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Thanks for the great post Patrina. Quick question, can I leave Peppermint in my hair for several days? I wash my hair once a week and would like to know if it’s safe to do so.
Thank you Dymen, I wouldn’t recommend leaving peppermint oil on your hair that long as it can cause your scalp to be irritated.