9 Refreshing Uses for Peppermint Oil

Peppermint has been lending its minty-fresh flavor to products like candy canes, ice cream and tea for thousands of years, but its staying power is about much more than taste. It's got some medicinal value as well. The peppermint plant is a cross between spearmint and water mint, and its active ingredients are menthol, menthyl acetate and menthone. While the peppermint leaves have their functions, the extracted peppermint oil boasts its own litany of capabilities.

Here's the caveat, though. Most of peppermint oil's rumored abilities are purely anecdotal at this point. The truth is that the plant has been studied very little, although it does appear to be totally safe when used appropriately. For example, when taking peppermint oil by mouth or applying to the skin be sure to use it as directed, as too much can irritating. Like most other foodstuffs or herbs, it's also possible to have an allergic reaction to peppermint.

Curious about peppermint oil's powers? Check out this list of surprising ways that peppermint oil is helpful. Just remember that the oil usually has to be diluted or used in very small quantities at full strength.

Contents

Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Relieves Headaches
Keeps Head Lice Away
Repels Pests
Helps With Good Hair Days
Stops Itching
Freshens Breath
Improves Physical Performance
Fights Cancer

1. Eases Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

IBS is an often frustrating, painful chronic problem, and it's also one of the few ailments that peppermint oil has been studied for extensively. A meta-analysis published in the BMJ showed peppermint oil was more effective than placebos at relieving IBS symptoms because it helps the colon relax and reduces painful spasms. So, if IBS is something you struggle with, perhaps a capsule or two a day (or whatever the bottle suggests) can bring some much-needed relief. Incidentally, peppermint oil is also useful at easing other colon-related problems, such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis and diarrhea.

2. Relieves Headaches

A few drops of peppermint oil combined with a carrier oil for dilution purposes (like coconut oil) is often all it takes to kick that bothersome headache to the curb. A German study from 1996 showed that using an ethanol solution with 10 percent peppermint oil was just as effective as 1,000 mgs of acetaminophen.

So, if you wish to avoid standard pain relievers the next time your head starts pounding, try applying a few drops of peppermint oil to the temples, forehead and back of the neck. Be sure not to use too much, as peppermint essential oils are extremely concentrated and can cause skin irritation.

3. Keeps Head Lice Away

If just reading about head lice causes you to feel itchy, chances are you'd like to do whatever you can to avoid the scourge. Some lice experts recommend preventing an infestation by masking the human scent, which lice love, with other strong aromas, like that of peppermint oil. Unfortunately, there's no research to back that up, as existing studies only involve other types of oil, such as eucalyptus. However, it seems that it should work, following the logic of other strong scents warding off lice. At the very least, you'll smell nice and minty.

4. Repels Pests

Peppermint leaves are a known natural ant repellant (some people even put peppermint plants in the ground in problematic spots). However, a lot of gardeners turn to a diluted peppermint oil spray to keep these and other pests at antenna's length. Added bonus: Mice hate the scent, too!

5. Helps With Good Hair Days

If you have dandruff or precariously thinning hair, a couple of drops of peppermint oil added to shampoo can help turn things around. Again, hard evidence is elusive, but a 2014 animal study saw mice enjoy fluffier coats following a 3 percent peppermint oil application (it even worked better than an application of hair growth medication minoxidil, in the study). Menthol (the active ingredient in peppermint oil) is a major ingredient in many dandruff shampoos already.

6. Stops Itching

A couple of small studies indicate that peppermint oil can relieve itching. In one study, pregnant women with itch-related woes were given 0.5 percent peppermint oil mixed with sesame oil. They achieved better relief than their counterparts using placebos. This is good news, as many women strive to avoid medications or chemical-containing options during gestation.

7. Freshens Breath

There's a reason most toothpastes have a minty taste, apart from it being a pleasant sensation. Peppermint's antibacterial properties kill the germs that cause dental plaque, which may improve breath. One study of high school girls in Iran with halitosis found that those who used a peppermint mouth rinse three times a day for a week had a significant reduction in bad breath.

8. Improves Physical Performance

A small 2014 study looked at how oral administration of peppermint oil affected athletes during tests like standing vertical jump, standing long jump and grip force. Improvements were seen throughout the course of the experiment, possibly thanks to how peppermint oil affects lungs and overall breathing. Again, evidence is obviously limited, but once again peppermint oil as a supplement falls under the "can't hurt" category.

9. Fights Cancer

In the battle against cancer, we need all the help we can get. A 2009 study discovered that menthol causes cell death in prostate cancer. Although far from being declared a cancer cure-all, essential oils like peppermint oil continue to be points of interest for researchers looking to plant-based solutions.

Peppermint Oil FAQ

What bugs does peppermint oil repel?

Peppermint oil repels ants, mosquitoes, spiders, aphids, beetles, caterpillars, fleas, ticks, flies, and head lice. Even mice don't like peppermint oil and tend to stay away.

Where can I purchase pure peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil is a fairly easy essential oil to find. Some grocery stores even carry it in their "natural" or drugstore sections. If you can't find it there, check your local pharmacy or specialty food store (like Whole Foods). You can also purchase it online from retailers like Amazon.

How do you use peppermint oil to get rid of mice?

The easiest way to use peppermint oil to repel mice is to combine two teaspoons of oil for every one cup of water in a spray bottle and spray it where you've seen the mice or think they're getting in. You can also add a few drops to cotton balls and leave them around the area the pests are.

Can peppermint oil regrow hair?

Many people have experienced thickened hair that they attribute to adding peppermint oil to shampoo, however there's currently no research to back that up. Ultimately, more research is needed to better understand the potential effects of peppermint oil on hair growth. This essential oil can, however, help with a dry, itchy, flakey scalp.

Can you apply peppermint oil directly to skin?

Peppermint essential oil is very concentrated and should always be diluted with a carrier oil before applying it to the skin to avoid irritation or a rash. It should be diluted in a ratio of 1:4, so one drop of peppermint oil must be mixed with four drops of carrier oil. Examples of suitable carrier oils include coconut, almond, and jojoba. You can even use olive oil if that's all you have.

What are peppermint oil capsules good for?

Many of peppermint oil's benefits are associated with topical use, not ingestion. However, capsules may help relieve IBS symptoms and other digestive issues, as it helps the colon relax and reduces painful spasms.