How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil for Hair Growth
Peppermint essential oil has been used across the world as an herbal remedy treatment for hair loss. I’ve already mentioned the many health benefits of peppermint oil and in this article I want to specifically discuss how to use it to promote hair growth.
Hair Loss and its Causes
Hair loss is a problem that many people, both male and female, experience at some point during their lives. When people notice their hair is changing, this can be a blow to their confidence. Our hair is often a part of our identity, so we might go to great lengths to preserve it.
For men, hair loss is often associated with simply growing older and having a genetic tendency toward male pattern baldness. For women, it can be a distressing condition that is associated with multitude of other conditions, and it is important to tackle the root of the problem – read more about it in my article about the 10 causes of hair loss and how to treat them.
Many people turn to natural or herbal remedies to slow down hair loss or even encourage hair growth. And indeed I discussed in the past, several methods to treat hair loss using castor oil, onion juice, garlic, rosemary and saw palmetto.
About Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a plant native to Europe and the Middle East and is now widespread in many regions of the world.
This plant is a cross between water mint and spearmint, and has been widely used as to prevent or relieve flatulence and it is also used as a gastric stimulant.
Peppermint oil is extracted from the whole plant above ground just before flowering. It is very intense and is far more concentrated than most other steam distilled essential oils.
The principal ingredient of peppermint oil, menthol, is primarily responsible for its beneficial effects. It produces a cooling and refreshing sensation. Peppermint oil is commonly used as flavoring in foods and beverages and as a fragrance in soaps and cosmetics.
Some evidence suggests that it may help relieving symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and indigestion1.
In vitro, peppermint has been reported to show anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal activities as well as antioxidant activity, anti-allergenic and anti-tumor actions.
Peppermint essential oil is also one of the best essential oils for migraines and headaches, for allergy relief, warts, and one of the top 16 essential oils to relieve pain and inflammation.
If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in my e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This e-book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.
Current Treatments for Hair Loss
The current products for treating hair loss are oral Finasteride (also known as Proscar and Propecia) and topical Minoxidil (also known as Rogaine), the last was originally created as a hypertension medication.
Minoxidil is believed to stimulate hair growth by increasing blood flow to the follicular dermal papilla cells, which play a significant role in controlling the hair growth cycle and production, or by creating a local irritation.
Both Finasteride and Minoxidil have known negative side effects which can include increased heart rate, difficulty breathing, rapid weight gain, edema, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp itching and scaling.
The aim of the research about peppermint oil (which I discuss below) was to test its effect on promoting hair growth without side effects.
Peppermint Oil for Hair Growth – the Research
A Korean research that was published in the Toxicological Research journal on December 2014 investigated the effect of peppermint oil on hair growth on mice2.
The animals were divided into 4 groups based on different topical applications: saline, jojoba oil, 3% minoxidil, and 3% peppermint oil.
Each compound was topically applied to the shaved area once a day, 6 days a week, for 4 weeks.
During the 4 week study, the mice were evaluated in terms of hair growth as well as other parameters.
Of the 4 groups tested, the peppermint oil group showed the most noticeable hair growth effects, a significant increase in dermal thickness, follicle number, and follicle depth.
The study found that from the second week, peppermint oil grew hair more rapidly than saline and jojoba oil. At week 3, peppermint oil remarkably promoted hair growth more than saline and jojoba oil, and even greater than Minoxidil. At week 4, peppermint oil showed hair growth of about 92%, whereas Minoxidil about 55%.
The researchers also found that the depth, size, and number of hair follicles were also markedly increased in peppermint oil treated skin.
The researchers concluded that the results clearly demonstrate that topical application of peppermint oil markedly stimulated hair growth in mice skin and thus could be used as a therapeutic or preventive alternative medicine for hair loss in humans.
Peppermint Oil for Hair Loss – Home Treatments
To reap the benefits of peppermint oil to promote hair growth, you can do the following:
Peppermint oil massage for hair growth
For a daily massage to stimulate new growth, add two drops of peppermint oil to one tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba oil or coconut oil. Rub it into the scalp and leave for at least 30 minutes (it is a good idea to do a test on a small skin patch to make sure you don’t develop any skin irritation). Make sure the oil mixture doesn’t reach your eyes.
Add peppermint oil to your shampoo
For nourishing your hair on a daily basis, add peppermint essential oil to your shampoo or conditioner (you can use mild shampoo or a baby shampoo). Use 4-6 drops of oil for every ounce of shampoo or conditioner. Massage the shampoo/conditioner and leave for a few minutes.
Other Natural Remedies for Hair Loss
– You can use rosemary to treat hair loss and promote hair growth – follow the instructions in my post on how to use rosemary for treating hair loss.
– Castor oil can be beneficial for hair growth – find out how to use castor oil to improve and regrow your hair.
– Onion can be used as a natural remedy for growing hair – learn how to use onion to regrow your hair.
– According to a research, garlic can help to regrow hair – learn how to use garlic to regrow your hair.
– Studies reveal: this natural ingredient can stop hair loss and regrow hair.