Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth: A Simple Remedy for Healthy Hair and Scalp
Peppermint is a well-known garden and kitchen herb. Itโs popular because of its minty and refreshing flavour and cooling sensation. But peppermint also has several health benefits, including improving digestion, relieving headaches and promoting hair growth.
In this post, we will find out more on about peppermint plant, followed by peppermint benefits for hair growth and how to use peppermint oil on hair. Come along on the minty rideโฆ
Peppermint plant grows without much effort. If you water it enough, it grows and grows and takes over the neighbouring plants. And then you need to interfere to curtail its growth or else it will take over your garden. But does peppermint produce the same effect on hair growth? Make hair grow non-stop. We will find out in a bit.
In Greek mythology, the birth of the peppermint plant is a result of a love story.
Myth has it that Pluto, the god of the underworld, fell in love with a beautiful nymph by the name of mentha. On finding out, Plutoโs wife Persephone was enraged and crushed mentha to the ground. Devastated by his loss, Pluto restored the spirit of mentha by bestowing upon her amazing fragrant and healing powers to soothe and mend. And that is how the mint plant was born.
Of course, thatโs a fictional tale, but whatโs not fictional is its healing and restorative powers. Peppermint is well-known for its ability to remedy itchy and inflamed skin. Moreover, peppermint has analgesic action and is thus beneficial in reducing headaches, muscle pain and menstrual cramps. And with its digestive properties, it soothes stomach discomfort and indigestion.
Okay, and what about the hair and scalp issues? Can peppermint regrow hair? Maybeโฆ
Does Peppermint Oil Help With Hair Growth?
Peppermint has amazing healing properties. And these help our scalp, especially its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-fungal effects. So if you have an oily scalp and flaky condition such as dandruff, peppermint oil can be your friend. It helps clean the scalp, alleviate the problem and provide a healthy environment for your hair follicles. And healthy hair follicles equals healthy hair growth.
But peppermint also has a more direct role in improving hair growth.
So yes, peppermint oil promotes a healthy scalp. But peppermint also has a direct role in improving hair growth. The herbโs stimulating properties boosts blood flow to the scalp. This, in turn, brings more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles, so it grows strong and healthy hair.
Are there any studies to support its benefits for hair growth?
A study was conducted in 2014 comparing the effects of 4 solutions on hair growth: peppermint essential oil, minoxidil, jojoba oil and saline solution.
And out of the four groups, peppermint oil showed most prominent hair growth effects.
In week 2 of the study, peppermint oil grew hair rapidly. Whereas the saline solution and jojoba oil had minimal effect. In week 4, which was also the final week of the study, peppermint oil showed enhanced hair growth, even faster than the minoxidil group (read more here).
In conclusion, the researchers found that peppermint oil improved blood flow to the hair follicles and caused elongation of hair follicles. As a result, the hair grew thicker, longer and denser.
In conclusion, the researchers found that peppermint oil improved blood flow to the hair follicles and caused elongation of hair follicles. As a result the hair grew thicker, longer and denser.
So yes, peppermint oil was a winner in this one study.
However, the big drawback of the study was it was done on mice and not humans. There are no human trials yet. And even if there were a study conducted on humans, there would be many confounding factors such as age, scalp health, diet, vitamin deficiencies, etc. So, if the oil works on one group of people, it may not work on another group.
The only sure shot way to know if peppermint works for you or not is to give it a try. Letโs find out more on thatโฆ
How to Use Peppermint Oil in Your Hair Care
As you may know, peppermint oil is an essential oil. So you would not apply it like carrier oils such as coconut or olive oil. You use peppermint oil by diluting it with a carrier oil.
And for those of you who prefer not to oil hair, there is another way to avail the benefits of peppermint, and thatโs in the form of herbal tea rinse. Letโs look at both ways of using peppermintโฆ
- Peppermint essential oil
- Peppermint tea rinse
1. Peppermint Essential Oil
Do you enjoy head massages?
You will enjoy the tingling sensation and refreshing fragrance of mint oil. You can use it with any carrier oil of your choice. I combine peppermint oil with coconut oil and lavender oil for added benefit. Hereโs the blend I love.
You will need:
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil (balances scalp oils)
Place the oils in a bowl and mix well.
How to Use:
With your fingertips, massage the oil blend into your scalp and hair. Leave it on for an hour or overnight for it to work longer. Wash with a natural shampoo or a homemade egg shampoo.
How often to apply: you can do the oil mask once or twice a week.
Buying Peppermint Oil
There are several varieties of peppermint oils, and the right one to buy is Mentha piperita โ this is the botanical name. You can buy the peppermint oil online here.
2. Peppermint Tea Rinse
Peppermint tea rinse is a great way to nourish your hair. Itโs rich in antioxidants and other phytonutrients that boost hair growth as well as soothe an irritated scalp.
You will need:
- 1 peppermint tea bag
- 1 tablespoon dried sage leaves (optional, soothes scalp and adds shine to hair)
- 2 cups of hot water
How to Make:
- In a mug, place peppermint tea (and lavender and chamomile flowers if using).
- Add hot water and let it steep until cool.
- Strain and use.
How to Use:
You can use the rinse after shampooing your hair or use it in-between washes to refresh and nourish your hair.
Slowly pour the peppermint tea rinse over wet hair. Massage it into your scalp and hair, let it soak in for 4-5 minutes and rinse it out.
Note: you can refrigerate the remaining peppermint tea for up to a week.
Are there any side effects of using peppermint essential oil?
1. Itโs generally safe to use. But if you have never used it, I suggest you do a patch test on the wrist. You will feel a cool, tingly sensation as the oil sits on your skin. If it starts to burn or hurt, wash it out.
2. Never apply peppermint oil straight to your scalp. Always dilute it with a carrier oil. More on essential oils and their dilutions here.
3. If you are pregnant, taking any medication or have a medical condition, check with a health professional before using essential oil.
To sum up:
- Peppermint oil may work better than conventional hair loss drug minoxidil. Thereโs one animal study that proves its effectiveness on hair growth.
- Due to its anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties, it helps keep the scalp healthy and clean.
- And lastly, it smells great and tingles on the skin.
Do you use peppermint oil on your hair? I would love to know how it works for youโฆ
