Peppermint Essential Oil: Uses, Benefits, and Blends

The cooling presence of menthol makes peppermint essential oil our new best friend. With its fresh, minty aroma, this herb is one of the best essential oils for headache relief. As an added bonus, it can also work wonders on your hair and scalp! The same menthol that helps soothe aches and pains can help to increase blood circulation, pumping your hair follicles full of the nutrients they need to grow long, luscious locks! At VINEVIDA we offer a variety of sizes of Mentha piperita, in order to best address any and all of your needs. Try using this fragrant herbal oil to create your own hair mask. Calm an itchy scalp all while promoting hair growth and enjoying the tingling sensation of peppermint!

Peppermint is actually a hybrid species of mint, coming from a cross of watermint and spearmint. Peppermint is a perennial, and when it grows it spreads very quickly. It is famous for its bright green leaves, though the plant itself also flowers with pinkish-purple blooms. Peppermint contains menthol, a cooling agent that is common in many pain relief medications. So, what is peppermint essential oil used for? One of the oldest herbs in traditional medicine, peppermint essential oil benefits are reputed to include its ability to relieve pain as well as digestive upset. 

Peppermint Essential Oil Benefits: Component Breakdown

• L-Menthol: The main constituent in peppermint, you will also find menthol in use as a flavoring agent, including in products such as toothpaste. Its characteristic minty taste and cooling traits give this natural component many uses. Menthol is considered to be an anesthetic, making it a key ingredient in many over-the-counter pain relief medications such as lozenges and cooling creams. It is one of the main constituents that make sure of many peppermint essential oil benefits. 
• L-Menthone: L-menthone is a menthone liquid, varying in color from pale to light yellow. It also contains the characteristic mint aroma and flavor, and you will often find it in cosmetics and perfumes. Preliminary animal studies indicate that menthone may contain some antidepressant properties, though more research is necessary. 
• Menthyl Acetate: Menthyl acetate is in the monoterpene family, and is naturally occurring in peppermint. It is another contributor to the characteristic smell and taste of peppermint, and usually makes up 3-5% of Mentha piperita. 
• Neomenthol: Another common flavoring and fragrance additive, neomenthol is an organic menthane monoterpenoid. It naturally occurs as a white crystalline solid, and it also contributes to the peppermint aroma and taste. 
• 1,8-Cineole: You will likely know of cineole by its more common name—eucalyptol. As you might expect, it is what gives eucalyptus a hint of minty fragrance. You will find cineole in flavorings, cosmetics, and fragrances, and some studies show that it may even help improve cognitive function. 
• Menthofuran: Another monoterpenoid, naturally occurring menthofuran plays a role as a plant metabolite. Many peppermint essential oil benefits are acquired with this component.

Peppermint Essential Oil Uses: For Wholesale Purposes

Though peppermint leaves are undoubtedly most popular for their minty taste, peppermint essential oil uses go further than just as a fragrance or flavoring agent. Depending on whether you use peppermint extract topically or through aromatherapy, there are many potential peppermint essential oil benefits. 

Peppermint Essential Oil for Hair

Peppermint essential oil uses for haircare are significant. As you now know, peppermint oil contains naturally occurring menthol, which can help to improve circulation and blood flow. In certain types of hair loss (such as male pattern baldness), loss of hair can stem partially from a lack of blood flow to the hair follicles. Dilute peppermint oil with a carrier oil, or add a few drops to shampoo and conditioner to help improve circulation, which can potentially help reduce or slow this pattern of hair loss. While more research is necessary, you will definitely enjoy the refreshing, tingling sensation and aroma of peppermint!

Using Peppermint Essential Oil for Headaches

Of all the essential oils, peppermint is a favorite when it comes to headache relief. This is mainly due to the cooling presence of menthol. Studies indicate that menthol can help relieve pain from headaches caused by to sinus, cold, and migraines. If you wish to use peppermint essential oil for headache relief, the best way to do so is topically. As peppermint oil is extremely concentrated, you will need to first dilute the oil with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil. Then simply apply to the temples, ensuring you keep well away from the eyes. 

Peppermint Oil in Aromatherapy 

Aromatherapy is another significant one from the peppermint essential oil uses. While there is a distinct lack of research when it comes to using peppermint essential oil in aromatherapy, anecdotal evidence indicates there may be some benefit. Peppermint oil is reputed to help soothe a sore or irritated throat with its cooling properties. Try adding a few drops of peppermint to a bowl or sink full of hot water. Place a towel over your head and lean over, gently inhaling the steam to achieve the best effect. 

Soap Making

If you have never felt the unique tingling sensation of peppermint essential oil in the shower, then you’re in for a treat. Using this refreshingly fragrant oil brings a zesty burst of clean to natural hygiene products, while also giving a cooling effect. Try blending peppermint oil with one of the following oils to create your own essential oil soaps!

Peppermint Essential Oil Blends

Peppermint essential oil offers a minty fragrance that blends well with many other oils. Try combining peppermint with lemon, lime, or grapefruit for a citrus infusion, or even more tropical oils such as jasmine or ylang ylang. 

Is Peppermint Essential Oil Safe for Dogs?

According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), peppermint essential oil is toxic to dogs. This includes both topical uses, and using peppermint oil in a diffuser. The reason why diffusers can be toxic is that they work by using water vapor. Tiny drops of oil stick to the water and spread around the space you are diffusing in. When these droplets fall, they can either be breathed in by your dog or land on his fur where they can potentially be ingested. 

You might be wondering about our feline friends. Is peppermint essential oil safe for cats? The answer is the same— no, it is not. Cats have a different internal system than dogs, and it is incredibly hard for them to break down components in oils such as phenols. This makes oils much more toxic to cats than to dogs, including peppermint oil. For safety reasons, keep essential oils far out of reach of pets, and don’t diffuse while they are in a certain space. 

Precautions: Peppermint Essential Oil Warnings

Aside from keeping peppermint oil away from pets, there are other considerations to keep in mind. If you have any underlying health conditions or take medication, it is always best to consult with a medical professional to ensure you have no potential interactions. You should never ingest essential oils, due to their potency. When it comes to taking peppermint oil orally, there are certain capsules intended for this specific use. If using peppermint oil topically, make sure to dilute it properly before applying to the skin. As peppermint can cause irritation to some, we also suggest doing a patch test first.

Conclusion

Though research at this point is limited, there are many people who rave about using peppermint essential oil for headaches, sore muscles, and other types of pain relief. If you wish to use peppermint oil, make sure to take the proper precautions, and keep it well away from pets and small children. In the event of any negative reaction, it is best to discontinue use. If you have any personal experiences using peppermint essential oil, leave a comment and let us know how it went for you!

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