Peppermint essential oil has a fresh, minty scent which is inhaled to relieve mental fatigue and boost concentration. This aromatherapy oil which is extracted from the leaves of Mentha piperita, is also used to relieve colds, migraines and reduce fever. Here are a few reasons why peppermint essential oil is great for natural hair, a few DIY recipes you can use to incorporate peppermint aromatherapy oil into your hair care regimen, and a list of some products that contain peppermint oil.
Peppermint Normalizing Shampoo
Peppermint essential oil normalizes the production of oil by the scalp. It can therefore be used to make a shampoo for both oily and dry hair.
Recipe
36 drops peppermint essential oil + 2 oz (60 ml) liquid Castile soap + 1 oz (30 ml) water
To prepare this peppermint shampoo, mix all the ingredients in a dark bottle.
To use this normalizing shampoo, massage it onto the scalp and smooth it over the hair with your fingers. Give the oils a few minutes to work before rinsing the shampoo with warm water and conditioning the hair.
Peppermint Pre Poo Hot Oil Treatment for Thinning Hair
Peppermint essential oil is used to treat thinning hair since it stimulates the circulation of blood in the scalp and thereby boosts hair growth. It can be used to make a pre-poo hot oil treatment for thinning hair by mixing it virgin coconut oil which also stimulates hair growth and penetrates the hair shaft to strengthen the remaining hairs.
Recipe
36 drops peppermint essential oil + 3 oz (90 ml) virgin coconut oil
To prepare this peppermint pre poo oil, scoop the virgin coconut oil into a bowl and place it over a pan with simmering water to warm it. Remove it from the heat source once it is tepid and add the essential oil.
To use this thinning hair pre poo oil, massage it onto the scalp and smooth it over the hair before wearing a shower cap for at least 30 minutes. Follow this by shampooing and conditioning the hair as normal.
Peppermint Itchy Scalp Mask
Peppermint essential oil is used to soothe itchy scalps since it has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. It can be used to make a soothing scalp mask by mixing with aloe vera gel which also calms irritated scalps.
Recipe
36 drops peppermint essential oil + 2 oz (60 ml) aloe vera gel + 1 oz (30 ml) honey
To prepare this peppermint mask, mix all the ingredients in a bowl.
To use this itchy scalp mask, massage it onto the scalp and smooth it over the hair with your fingers. Give the healing ingredients at least 15 minutes to work before rinsing the mask with warm water and shampooing and conditioning the hair.
Peppermint Essential Oil Safety Precautions
Peppermint essential oil should not be used by pregnant women and those who are nursing. Persons with high blood pressure or heart conditions like cardiac fibrillation should also not use this aromatherapy oil.
In addition, ensure that you use the natural peppermint essential oil and not the artificial peppermint fragrance oil to make your hair care products since the latter does not have healing properties.
Natural Hair Products with Peppermint Oil
Have you used peppermint essential oil in your natural hair care products?
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Almasi W is a certified aromatherapist, freelance writer and the author of Safe Aromatherapy for Healthy Hair. Visit her blog Ask the Skin Doctor or follow her on Twitter @AskAlmasi.
I’m assuming natural hair means non tinted hair What if the hair has been
Tinted. How does one adjust the recipe
for migraines.
Natural hair does not mean non tinted hair. My hair is colored and is still natural. Just be aware that large amounts of lemon juice can lighten your hair, but that’s very hard to accomplish on dark hair.
Peppermint essential oil causes pleasant tingling sensations on the scalp in addition to its healing properties. I also suggest trying a peppermint scalp massage oil to boost hair growth and to enjoy its scalp sensations for a longer duration.
Yes, I do and love it. I recently used it in a hot oil treatment and enjoyed it.