25 Ways to Enjoy the Benefits of Peppermint Essential Oil

Ask any essential oil expert, and they will tell you that peppermint could be one of the most versatile oils in their collection. Given its analgesic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as cooling and calming effects, it’s no wonder this oil has some uses for health and home.

Used medicinally for thousands of years, menthol is the main active component in peppermint, giving it many of its amazing qualities and benefits. Here are 25 ways you can start benefiting from this useful oil.

Relieve Muscle Soreness

Peppermint is a natural analgesic (pain reliever), which makes it useful and relieving muscle aches and pains. Try the following methods next time you experience muscle soreness:

Dilute peppermint oil with your favorite carrier oil, and massage into sore areas.
Add several drops to a warm bath, along with Epsom salt, and soak the soreness away.

Relieve Joint Pain

The pain-reducing qualities of peppermint also make it an excellent natural remedy for joint pain. Dilute in a carrier oil and rub into affected joints for relief.

Treat Indigestion and IBS

Peppermint can reduce inflammation and spasms within the digestive tract. This makes a good remedy for nausea and stomach-related discomfort. Try the following next time you experience an upset stomach:

Dilute with a carrier oil and rub on the abdomen.
Take internally in capsule form or add a drop or two to a glass of water.

Treat Colic

Thanks to its ability to reduce intestinal and colon spasms, peppermint is effective in treating colic in infants. Dilute 1-2 drops in a carrier oil and massage gently on baby’s stomach.

Sinus Relief

Inhaling peppermint oil can provide instant relief to cold and allergy sufferers, thanks to its central chemical component, menthol. Diffuse this oil or inhale right out of the bottle to breathe again.

Get Energized

Used aromatically, the scent of peppermint can be invigorating. Inhaling its cool, crisp scent can perk you up when feeling fatigued.

Scalp and Hair Health

Peppermint has excellent benefits for the scalp and hair, which is why it’s found in many hair care products

Add several drops to your shampoo, shake well, and wash as usual (taking care not to get in your eyes). You will notice a clean, tingly feeling on your scalp as well as benefit from its invigorating aroma.
Peppermint is an anti-inflammatory, so it can also counteract dandruff by soothing a dry, itchy scalp.

Hair Growth

Peppermint can encourage hair growth. This is due to its ability to improve blood circulation to your scalp. Another great reason to add this versatile oil to your shampoo!

Pest Repellent

Small bugs (like ants and spiders) and even rodents are repelled by the smell of peppermint, making it an excellent pest repellent. Add several drops of peppermint to cotton balls and place around your home to repel critters.

Lice Treatment

Similar to other small pests, lice despise the scent of peppermint. Make your shampoo to get rid of this horrible pest.

Combine two tablespoons of shampoo, 15 drops of peppermint and one teaspoon of neem oil (a natural insecticide).
Wash hair and cover with a shower cap. (Use caution to avoid eyes, especially when using on children.)
After 10 minutes, rinse hair and comb with a nit comb.

Flea Spray for Dogs

Peppermint is a natural and safe way to repel fleas. Fill a spray bottle with distilled water and ten drops each: peppermint, citronella essential oil, eucalyptus oil. Shake well and apply every couple of days. (Do not use on cats, as they are sensitive to essential oils).

Stress Relief

The pleasant and calming scent of peppermint does wonders after a stressful day. Diffuse this oil in your home for its relaxing benefits, or add several drops to a hot bath to unwind.

Itchy Skin Relief

Thanks to the cooling effect of peppermint, this oil can help to soothe skin inflammation. Add this oil to body lotion or carrier oil to provide relief from eczema or psoriasis. Make sure to avoid any open cuts or sores, as it could sting.

Treat Sunburn

The cooling properties of peppermint make it an excellent remedy for sunburn. Dilute in a carrier oil and rub onto affected areas.

Freshen Breath

It’s no coincidence that many oral hygiene products contain peppermint. Thanks to its antimicrobial benefits and fresh scent, peppermint is excellent for cleansing the mouth and counteracting bad breath.

Add a drop to your toothpaste for a minty boost
Make a quick and easy natural mouthwash by adding a couple of drops to a glass of water. Swish in your mouth for icy, cool breath.

Relieve Headaches

If you suffer from frequent headaches, peppermint should be on your list of natural remedies. Diluting with a carrier oil and massaging on your temples can provide quick relief. Make sure to avoid getting in your eyes.

Reduce a Fever

Given peppermint’s cooling properties, it can help bring down a fever naturally. Dilute in a carrier oil and apply to the bottoms of feet and neck area.

Teething

Teething is no fun for anyone. Thankfully, peppermint essential oil is a great, natural solution to this problem. Combine equal parts coconut oil and peppermint oil, and rub on the affected area.

Relieve a Toothache

There is nothing quite as uncomfortable as a toothache. Peppermint’s main component, menthol, provides a numbing effect which will give quick relief. Add a drop or two to a cotton swab and hold against the affected tooth.

Reduce Food Cravings

The scent of peppermint has been found to reduce hunger and cravings. Try diffusing it or smell directly from the bottle to cut back on cravings.

Improve Focus

Used aromatically, peppermint can boost concentration. Add this oil to your diffuser or make your spray by combining ten drops with water in a spray bottle. Spray on your clothes or surrounding areas to experience the aromatic benefits.

Relieve Sore Feet

A natural pain-reliever, peppermint can relieve aching feet after a long day of standing or hiking.

Create a foot soak by adding a few drops to a warm foot bath.
Dilute with a carrier oil and massage into sore feet. Cover with socks, put your feet up and enjoy.

Treat Acne Blemishes

Peppermint can be active at treating pimples, thanks to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Create your acne treatment by combining a few drops of water with a drop of peppermint. Soak a cotton ball in the solution, and apply to affected areas.

Hormonal Balance

Research suggests that peppermint has anti-androgen properties, meaning it may help balance hormones and could have therapeutic benefits for conditions such as PCOS.

For Cancer

The menthol found in peppermint has been shown to confine the grown of prostate cancer. Peppermint can also prevent cell damage caused by radiation.