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Best Peppermint Oil

Updated April 2022
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Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Now Foods Peppermint Essential Oil
Now Foods
Peppermint Essential Oil
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Simple Yet Solid
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Pure peppermint essential oil meant to invigorate and refresh the mind and spirit.

Pros

Quality essential oil from a trusted company designed to be diffused into the air. Helps revitalize and inspire. May be combined with other oils for unique blends. Bottle lasts a long time.

Cons

Avoid spills or getting on your fingers. Too many drops will be overpowering.

Best Bang for the Buck
Cococare 100% Natural Peppermint Oil
Cococare
100% Natural Peppermint Oil
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Bargain Pick
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Value bottle of 100% pure peppermint oil for creating a welcome, positive ambience anywhere in the home.

Pros

Mentha piperita offers a refreshing aroma when diffused in the air. Inspires and refreshes; may be used anytime of year or during holidays for a festive feel. Low price for the size.

Cons

May irritate when in contact with the skin.

Artnaturals Peppermint Oil
Artnaturals
Peppermint Oil
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Best for Everyday Use
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Peppermint aromatherapy oil made from pure sources designed to clear the air and stimulate the mind.

Pros

When used in a diffuser, known to alleviate stress, provide clarity, and energize. 100% pure peppermint, with no artificial preservatives or synthetics. May be diluted and used on stomach or feet for a cooling sensation.

Cons

Skin application can be risky if oil isn't diluted enough. Avoid using on face.

Aura Cacia Peppermint Pure Essential Oil
Aura Cacia
Peppermint Pure Essential Oil
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Most Versatile
Bottom Line

Quality, versatile oil offers a minty aroma in the air or cooling sensation on the skin.

Pros

Harvested from the Yakima Valley in the U.S. When diluted properly, may be used topically on the skin as a body wash or massage oil. May be used in a diffuser or to create household cleaning solutions. May combine with other oils.

Cons

Keep away from eyes. Expensive for the amount.

Nature's Way Pepogest Peppermint Oil
Nature's Way
Pepogest Peppermint Oil
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Pain Relief
Bottom Line

Peppermint oil in gel-cap form designed to ease stomach pain and indigestion.

Pros

Popular dietary supplement from a trusted brand. Alleviates stomach discomfort and irritation. Free of gluten, soy, sugar, and preservatives. Easy to swallow with water. Decent price.

Cons

Recommended to take three a day ahead of each meal. May cause heartburn.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Buying guide for best peppermint oil

Peppermint oil is a jack of all trades. It’s medicinal and works wonders to combat nausea, relieve soreness in joints and muscles, clear sinuses, stimulate hair growth, and improve gastrointestinal discomfort.

Before you rush off to add this versatile oil to your cart, however, there are some key factors to keep in mind, including the peppermint oil’s smell, consistency, organic certification, whether it’s cruelty-free, and what you plan to use it for. Some peppermint oils are mostly intended for therapeutic use, while others are food-grade, so it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.

Regardless of what you initially choose to do with peppermint oil, once you have it, you’ll probably return to it for other needs, from aromatherapy to using it as a natural cleaning product for your home. If you want to make an informed purchase, keep reading to learn more about the many benefits of peppermint oil. When you’re ready to buy, consider one of our top picks.

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If you’re a first-time peppermint oil user, it’s best to start with a small quantity. That way, you’ll use it more quickly and won’t worry about excessive waste if you decide you don’t like it.

Key considerations

Smell, color and texture

Peppermint oil’s scent will vary, depending on whether or not it’s refined. Most of us are accustomed to refined peppermint oil’s smell, which is in toothpastes, mints, and menthols. This is a much simpler menthol scent compared to true unrefined peppermint oil, which smells more complex, with nutty, creamy undertones beneath the menthol. The smell difference may surprise you if you’re used to commercial peppermint smells. As long as the oil doesn’t smell rancid, it’s good to use. When it comes to color, peppermint oil can vary from clear to pale yellow. Its consistency is rather watery.

Organic certification

Your peppermint oil should have only one ingredient listed — which is, of course, peppermint oil. Keep an eye out for “100% Organic” or the USDA Organic symbol on the bottle’s label. Organic certification guarantees that the peppermint plant grew in healthy chemical-free soil.

Features

Medicinal use

Peppermint oil is extracted from the peppermint plant, which is a hybrid of water mint and spearmint. Though native to the Mediterranean, the plant has thrived in Europe, North America, and Japan for centuries. The plant’s medicinal properties are far and wide, from pain relief to digestive assistance.

For medicinal purposes, you can apply peppermint oil to the forehead to naturally relieve headaches or on the abdomen to relieve stomach upset or indigestion. For sinus or cold relief, try diluting the peppermint oil with eucalyptus oil. (It’s generally recommended that you use a carrier oil, like coconut or jojoba oil, to dilute the peppermint oil.)

Essential oils are not meant to be ingested orally and can be toxic in large doses. We recommend a food-grade peppermint oil extract or peppermint oil capsules instead.

If you plan to use peppermint oil medicinally, make sure it’s USDA grade and organic. For the animal advocates, it also doesn’t hurt to make sure the oil is cruelty-free.

Cosmetic use

For skin: Peppermint oil is antimicrobial, meaning it has properties that kill microorganisms. Some report success with peppermint oil as an acne treatment. You can try using diluted peppermint oil as a spot treatment.

For scalp: Your scalp can benefit from the oil, too. Maybe you’ve already noticed all the hair creams, shampoos, and conditioners that list peppermint oil as an ingredient. That’s because the essential oil combats itching, dryness, and dandruff thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Peppermint oil can be a bit much to apply directly onto the scalp, but you may add a few drops to your shampoo or conditioner bottle.

Like medicinal peppermint oil, look out for the USDA label and organic label on the bottle.

Household use

  • Pest control: Did you know that peppermint oil is an excellent deterrent for rodents? Simply place several drops on a few cotton balls, then stuff the balls into your problem areas. These include any areas that are big enough for a mouse to crawl through (these spots can be as tiny as a quarter).
  • Keeps bugs away: For cockroaches, spiders, and ants, peppermint oil is a natural deterrent. Simply add 15 to 20 drops of essential oil to an eight-ounce bottle and spray the areas where bugs congregate. This should deter them for some time, but it’s important to reapply as needed. If you primarily plan to use the oil around the house, make sure you choose a brand with a strong scent. A weaker, diluted peppermint oil has a strong scent at first, but it fades with time. The last thing you want is for bugs and mice to come crawling back after a treatment or two.
  • Natural cleaning solution: As a general household cleaner, you can mix 10 to 15 drops of peppermint oil into a spray bottle with half a cup of water, half a cup of white vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap.
  • Air freshener: Many people turn to aromatherapy for stress relief. If you have an oil diffuser, place it in an open room. With the diffuser’s water reservoir filled, add three to 10 drops of peppermint oil. Then, turn on the diffuser and allow it to work its magic.
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For your safety
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a doctor before using peppermint oil. Peppermint oil isn’t recommended for babies or young children.
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Peppermint oil prices

Inexpensive: Oils that are less than $10 will come in small quantities, even as little as 10 milliliters. This is a perfect amount if you’re testing the oil out but don’t want to commit to a large size. Bottles nearing $10 will contain at least a half ounce of peppermint oil.

Mid-range: A $10 to $20 bottle of oil, if it’s high quality and certified organic, will probably contain one to four ounces. Keep an eye out for dark amber bottles, which help to preserve the integrity of the oil. Oils in this price range are more likely to include the USDA label, too.

Expensive: A bottle of peppermint oil that costs $20 or more is less common. If the oil is imported from afar, that may explain the high price. Or if it’s sold in a quantity above eight ounces. Otherwise, you should have no trouble finding an oil well below this price point.

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Did you know?
Extensive studies have been done on peppermint oil’s effects on Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Within four weeks, peppermint oil was proven to reduce abdominal pain and discomfort and diarrhea. But remember, peppermint oil should only be ingested as a capsule.
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Tips

  • Remember to perform an allergy test before using peppermint oil for the first time. Test a tiny amount of the oil (diluted in a carrier oil, of course) on your skin before applying it elsewhere.
  • Peppermint oil should be stored in a dark amber bottle that’s kept in a cool place.
  • Essential oils should be used within a year. To lengthen the shelf life, you can keep the bottle in your refrigerator.
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Peppermint oil is known to increase alertness. You can put a few drops in a diffuser to stay both awake and stress-free.

FAQ

Q. What’s the difference between peppermint and mint?
A.
Mint is a broad term that describes the Mentha plant family. Other mint plants include orange mint, spearmint, and pineapple mint.

Q. What are the side effects of ingesting too much peppermint oil?
A.
Excessive peppermint oil usage may result in heartburn, vomiting, diarrhea, or an allergic reaction. Remember that peppermint oil, like all essential oils, is highly concentrated. It should be ingested minimally or diluted with a carrier oil.

Q. Will peppermint oil harm my pets?
A.
Peppermint oil can potentially irritate your pet’s skin or, if ingested, cause severe gastrointestinal comfort. Check with your veterinarian before using peppermint oil on your pets.