Peppermint essential oil is a versatile and powerful natural health aid that is quickly becoming a popular choice for natural scalp and hair health. Combined with the relieving and cooling effects that peppermint essential oil offers for irritated or dry scalps, it is also a powerful hair growth stimulant and it encourages scalp health. Not only is peppermint essential oil a well-known ingredient in natural homemade hair growth recipes but it is also an effective anti-dandruff treatment.

Attacks Dandruff At The Source

There are many potential reasons why adults may be suffering from dandruff, with regular dry skin being the chief cause. Another, less commonly known and understood cause is an allergic reaction to a common yeast –like fungus that is normally found on adult scalps. For many people this organism known as malassezia comes and goes without incident, but for some it cause itchiness and flaking. Infrequent shampooing can also be a cause of dandruff flakes—so can shampooing too often. For the former, oil and dead skin clog follicles and cause irritation; for the latter sensitive skin is irritated by harsh chemicals.

Believe it or not natural peppermint essential oil can be used to treat dandruff flakes stemming from all of these sources. It cleans and nourishes sensitive scalp skin, helping dislodge and clear dead skin cells and oil. Peppermint oil for hair and scalp health also effectively kills malassezia cultures which can clear up dandruff symptoms quickly if the related sensitivity was the underlying issue.

Just like other essential oils, peppermint oil should never be applied ‘neat’ or undiluted to skin, especially to sensitive scalp skin. For safe and effective application, pure peppermint essential oil must be diluted with an appropriate carrier oil. Carrier oil dilution allows for the safe application of powerful essential oils without sacrificing efficacy. Carrier oils can be a variety of natural oils ranging from olive oil all the way to sesame or coconut oil.

DIY Peppermint Shampoo

A quick fix is to simply add peppermint oil to off-the-shelf shampoo. Look for sodium lauryl sulfate free shampoo (SLS is a foaming agent that strips hair and scalp of nutrients) that is unscented at the supermarket. Add 20 drops for every 8 oz. of shampoo and shake well before each use. Because essential oils aren’t water soluble it is important to shake every time to ensure that the oil is well mixed with the shampoo. In this instance the shampoo takes the place of a traditional carrier oil.

This peppermint essential oil for hair health and dandruff relief mixture should get you started toward a refreshing and cool shampooing experience that eliminates flakes, irritation, and dry scalp.