The benefits of peppermint essential oil can be described as:

antimicrobial
insecticidal and pesticidal
analgesic and anesthetic
vasodilating (and vasoconstricting)
anti-inflammatory
Some people have used the oil as a remedy for hair loss. This may be because the menthol in peppermint essential oil is a vasodilator, and vasodilators improve blood flow. In many instances (such as in female or male pattern baldness), hair loss occurs due to starved blood flow to hair follicles. Increasing circulation with a vasodilator like peppermint could potentially improve hair growth and prevent some hair loss.

Peppermint menthol also imparts a freshened smell and tingly sensation on the skin and scalp. You can reap these benefits by adding the essential oil to your beauty products.


How do you use peppermint oil for hair loss?

There are a few ways you can use peppermint oil on your hair to try to prevent hair loss.

One is by direct scalp massage. Add a couple drops of oil to about one tablespoon of your favorite scalp massage oil. If you don’t have scalp massage oil, you can use a simple household oil like coconut, jojoba, or shea butter oil.

Massage the oil into your scalp. You may feel a tingling, minty sensation. Leave the treatment on for 15 to 20 minutes and then wash your hair with shampoo. If the menthol sensation gets too intense for you, add other oils to balance the effect or wash your scalp with shampoo immediately.

You can also put peppermint oil straight into your shampoo and conditioner bottles. Make sure not to add too much. About five drops per ounce of shampoo or conditioner is recommended. Simply use your shampoo and conditioner with the peppermint essential oil as you usually would, and enjoy the benefits.

Note that products with peppermint scent won’t achieve the same results. These products likely don’t contain essential oil. Peppermint essential oils are distilled to contain the highest levels of menthol possible. There isn’t enough menthol in most other products to have therapeutic benefit.