Peppermint is a hybrid mint, a cross between watermint and spearmint. The plant, indigenous to Europe and the Middle East, is now widespread in cultivation in many regions of the world. It is found wild occasionally with its parent species. The natural extract is extremely useful and has much beauty benefits some of which are mentioned below.
Nail Treatment
Peppermint oil is useful as a nail treatment, to do this mix about 2 ounces of castor oil, which has anti-fungal and healing properties, and several dashes of peppermint oil. Dip each nail in the solution, then let your fingertips chill and absorb the oil for a few minutes before rinsing or doing any serious nail maintenance. The castor strengthens my nail beds during filing or buffing and the peppermint oil provides that much desired cooling effect while acting as an additional moisturizer.
Peppermint Toothpaste
There are tons of natural recipes for all kinds of toothpaste out there. To make a batch, you’ll need coconut oil, baking soda, and peppermint oil. Mix about 3 parts baking soda to 1 part coconut oil (shoot for a creamy paste) and then add about 5 drops of peppermint oil. As always, use your judgment with these portions — you will learn with trial and error how much baking soda to coconut oil you want to use. Once you’ve whipped up your paste, apply directly on your toothbrush, and brush as normal. Not only do you have an alternative to a pricey all natural toothpaste, you’re also naturally brightening your teeth and fighting bacteria!
Blemish Spot Treatment
Peppermint works amazing wonders on pimples and is super effective at diminishing the redness and swelling of that not-so-cute zit. Just use equal parts vitamin E and jojoba oil (or grape seed), and add a few drops of peppermint oil. This is a great substitute for anyone that has a low tolerance to tea tree oil. Apply your treatment directly onto your blemish before bed until you see that sucker vanish! The additional benefit to using peppermint oil over tea tree is most definitely the scent but also I find it less drying when I want to treat an entire section of my face that’s prone to breakouts