Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPossible BenefitsWho Should Avoid It?How to UseInfused ShampooAlternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Possible Benefits
Who Should Avoid It?
How to Use
Infused Shampoo
Alternatives
Peppermint (Mentha piperita) is a natural cross between two types of mint: water mint (Mentha aquatica) andspearmint(Mentha spicata). It grows throughout North America and Europe. Peppermint oil is an essential oil taken from the leaves and flowering parts of the peppermint plant.
While some animal studies on the effects of peppermint oil onhair growthhave been conducted, there is a lack of research to conclude that peppermint oil promotes hair growth in humans.
This article will discuss the possible hair growth benefits of peppermint oil, who should not use it, how to use it on the hair, and alternatives to try.
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Peppermint Oil, Hair Growth, and Possible Benefits
There is not enough quality evidence to conclude that peppermint oil benefits hair growth in humans.
A 2024 review that examined the potential for complementary and alternative supplements as a treatment forandrogenetic alopecia(male- and female-pattern hair loss) found insufficient scientific evidence for using peppermint oil for this purpose.
Trials examining the effects of peppermint oil on mice have found results such as:
These and similar mice trials may be a starting point for research, but more research is needed to determine the effects of peppermint oil on human hair growth.
Should Anyone Not Use Peppermint Oil on Their Hair?
Applying peppermint oil to the skin may cause side effects such as:
How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil on Hair
Essential oils are not water soluble, but can be mixed with fats, alcohols, and ethers. They are often liquids with a lower density than water.
There is a scarce amount of knowledge about the potential applications of essential oils such as peppermint oil and their componentsin hair care.
Cosmetic formulations containing essential oils are a way to apply essential oils topically to the scalp.
What About Shampoo Infused With Peppermint Oil?
One study found thatshampooinfused with a mixture of essential oils, including peppermint oil, and some conventional chemicals for preparing an antidandruffshampooenhanced the product’s efficacy.
This was believed to be because of the essential oils' antifungal properties and the anti-inflammatory properties of some of their components, including the menthol in peppermint oil.
Peppermint Oil Alternatives to Try Instead
Which treatment to use for hair loss depends onthe cause of your hair loss. Before trying any treatment, talk to your healthcare provider to ensure it is right for you and your cause of hair loss.
Other established treatment for varying hair loss causes include:
Peppermint vs. Rosemary Oil for HairA 2024 literature review did not find sufficient scientific evidence for the use of peppermint oil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Still, it did find the topical application of rosemary oil to be promising.It proposed thatrosemary oil may be used to combat hair losslike androgenetic alopecia or used with established treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride. However, more research is needed.
Peppermint vs. Rosemary Oil for Hair
A 2024 literature review did not find sufficient scientific evidence for the use of peppermint oil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Still, it did find the topical application of rosemary oil to be promising.It proposed thatrosemary oil may be used to combat hair losslike androgenetic alopecia or used with established treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride. However, more research is needed.
A 2024 literature review did not find sufficient scientific evidence for the use of peppermint oil in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. Still, it did find the topical application of rosemary oil to be promising.
It proposed thatrosemary oil may be used to combat hair losslike androgenetic alopecia or used with established treatments such as minoxidil and finasteride. However, more research is needed.
Summary
Peppermint oil is an essential oil from the leaves and flowering parts of the peppermint plant.
Some trials on mice have found promising results related to peppermint oil and hair growth promotion, but more research is needed to determine if these effects apply to humans.
Cosmetic products, such as shampoo, that contain peppermint oil may provide a means of applying peppermint oil topically to the scalp.
Treatment for hair loss depends on the cause, but may include medications such as minoxidil, finasteride, cortisone, and antiandrogens. Other treatments may include treating underlying infections, addressing possible triggers, and hair transplantation.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Ufomadu P.Complementary and alternative supplements: a review of dermatologic effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings. 2024;37(1):111-117. doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2263829Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC.Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research. 2014;30(4):297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297Shin JY, Shin DJ, Kang HJ, Cho BO, Park JH, Jang SI.Hair loss improvement effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii, peppermint and Glycyrrhiza glabra herbal mixture in human follicle dermal papilla cell and C57BL/6 mice. Food Sci Technol. 2022;42:e115921. doi:10.1590/fst.115921Guzmán E, Lucia A.Essential oils and their individual components in cosmetic products. Cosmetics. 2021;8(4):114. doi:10.3390/cosmetics8040114Harvard Health.Hair loss.Healthdirect.Alopecia (hair loss).Harvard Health.Treating female pattern hair loss.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Ufomadu P.Complementary and alternative supplements: a review of dermatologic effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings. 2024;37(1):111-117. doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2263829Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC.Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research. 2014;30(4):297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297Shin JY, Shin DJ, Kang HJ, Cho BO, Park JH, Jang SI.Hair loss improvement effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii, peppermint and Glycyrrhiza glabra herbal mixture in human follicle dermal papilla cell and C57BL/6 mice. Food Sci Technol. 2022;42:e115921. doi:10.1590/fst.115921Guzmán E, Lucia A.Essential oils and their individual components in cosmetic products. Cosmetics. 2021;8(4):114. doi:10.3390/cosmetics8040114Harvard Health.Hair loss.Healthdirect.Alopecia (hair loss).Harvard Health.Treating female pattern hair loss.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.Ufomadu P.Complementary and alternative supplements: a review of dermatologic effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings. 2024;37(1):111-117. doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2263829Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC.Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research. 2014;30(4):297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297Shin JY, Shin DJ, Kang HJ, Cho BO, Park JH, Jang SI.Hair loss improvement effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii, peppermint and Glycyrrhiza glabra herbal mixture in human follicle dermal papilla cell and C57BL/6 mice. Food Sci Technol. 2022;42:e115921. doi:10.1590/fst.115921Guzmán E, Lucia A.Essential oils and their individual components in cosmetic products. Cosmetics. 2021;8(4):114. doi:10.3390/cosmetics8040114Harvard Health.Hair loss.Healthdirect.Alopecia (hair loss).Harvard Health.Treating female pattern hair loss.
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.Peppermint oil.
Ufomadu P.Complementary and alternative supplements: a review of dermatologic effectiveness for androgenetic alopecia. Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings. 2024;37(1):111-117. doi:10.1080/08998280.2023.2263829
Oh JY, Park MA, Kim YC.Peppermint oil promotes hair growth without toxic signs. Toxicological Research. 2014;30(4):297-304. doi:10.5487/TR.2014.30.4.297
Shin JY, Shin DJ, Kang HJ, Cho BO, Park JH, Jang SI.Hair loss improvement effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii, peppermint and Glycyrrhiza glabra herbal mixture in human follicle dermal papilla cell and C57BL/6 mice. Food Sci Technol. 2022;42:e115921. doi:10.1590/fst.115921
Guzmán E, Lucia A.Essential oils and their individual components in cosmetic products. Cosmetics. 2021;8(4):114. doi:10.3390/cosmetics8040114
Harvard Health.Hair loss.
Healthdirect.Alopecia (hair loss).
Harvard Health.Treating female pattern hair loss.
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