Les bienfaits capillaires de l'huile essentielle de menthe poivrée.

Peppermint Essential Oil: What are the benefits for hair?

Peppermint essential oil is widely appreciated for its numerous skin benefits. In addition to its advantages for the skin, it also has properties that are beneficial for our hair. Discover in this article the hair benefits of peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint essential oil to stimulate hair growth.

A study has shown that a topical application ofpeppermint essential oil for 4 weeks, at a concentration of 3%, resulted in a stimulation of the growth of thick and long hair .


Indeed, studies have observed an elongation of hair follicles from the epidermis to the subcutis, which has been associated with an increase in the length of the keratinized hair shaft. This extension of the follicles is a positive indicator of hair health and growth. The study also noted that peppermint essential oil significantly increased the mRNA expression of the IGF-1 gene. This is a mitogen that promotes the growth and survival of cells, and contributes to hair thickening. Furthermore, peppermint essential oil promotes the early transition of hair into the growth phase (anagen phase) by stimulating the dermal papilla and an enzyme, alkaline phosphatase.

Combatting dandruff with peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint essential oil may prove promising for fighting dandruff due to its anti-inflammatory properties, which help to soothe scalp itchiness.


Furthermore, some of the active substances found in peppermint essential oil also possess antifungal properties. A study revealed that menthol, in combination with menthone, acted synergistically as a fungicidal agent against Rhizopus and Mucor, and showed significant inhibition of the growth of Sclerotinia. Although this property is intriguing, no research has yet been able to demonstrate that peppermint essential oil can also exert a fungicidal activity on Malassezia furfur. Thus, while this fungicidal activity is promising for Malassezia furfur, it still requires further research to be confirmed.

The essential oil of peppermint to combat scalp itching.

Peppermint essential oil is particularly noteworthy due to its anti-inflammatory properties which are effective in combating scalp inflammation. Menthol, a component of this essential oil, works by inhibiting the production of inflammatory molecules such as prostaglandin PGE-2, interleukin IL-1-β, and leukotriene LTB-4. It can also block calcium channels involved in cytokine production and pain signal transmission. This reduction in neuronal excitability helps to alleviate the sensation of pain associated with inflammation, thereby reducing feelings of heat and pain resulting from the inflammatory response. On the other hand, menthone, another compound found in peppermint essential oil, has shown significant inhibition of the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

Thepeppermint essential oil thus exhibits intriguing properties for alleviating various conditions related to inflammation and soothing the scalp. However, it is important to note that this essential oil does not treat the underlying cause of the inflammation.

Refreshing your scalp with peppermint essential oil.

Peppermint essential oil possesses refreshing properties. It acts as a thermal regulator, allowing for a reduction in temperature in an area typically associated with inflammation. This characteristic is attributed to menthol, which is present in high concentration (30 to 55%) in peppermint essential oil. Menthol works by stimulating the skin's thermo-receptors, resulting in profound analgesia, or significant pain relief. The targeted receptors are TRPM8 receptors, which are sensitive to cold temperatures and play a crucial role in inflammatory, painful, and itching (pruritus) processes. This property has been scientifically proven and has been observed to decrease body temperature by 2 to 4 °C.

Sources

EDRIS A. E. & al. Antifungal activity of peppermint and sweet basil essential oils and their major aroma constituents on some plant pathogenic fungi from the vapor phase. Nahrung/Food (2003).

ALANKAR S. A Review on peppermint oil. Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Clinical Research (2009).

OH J. Y. & al. Peppermint Oil Promotes Hair Growth without Toxic Signs. Toxicological Research (2014).

ABELAN U. S. & al. Potential use of essential oils in cosmetic and dermatological hair products: A review. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2020).

KEHILI S. & al. Peppermint (Mentha piperita L.) essential oil as a potent anti-inflammatory, wound healing and anti-nociceptive drug. European Journal of Biological Research (2020).

CHEN X. & al. A Natural Plant Ingredient, Menthone, Regulates T Cell Subtypes and Lowers Pro-inflammatory Cytokines of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Journal of Natural Products (2022).

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