Peppermint is one of those plants that doesn’t seem dangerous—just a cute little leaf you throw in tea or see on the label of some toothpaste—but it actually does way more than you’d expect. Whether it’s the fresh stuff or the essential oil version, peppermint has all these weird, borderline magical uses that somehow no one talks about until you’re deep in a Google hole at 1 a.m.
Like, my mother-in-law (who swears by every natural remedy under the sun and somehow has a jar for everything) once gave me a tiny bottle of peppermint oil in a Ziploc bag and said, “Just trust me.” I rolled my eyes and forgot about it… until a migraine hit one day and I remembered her saying, “Rub it on your temples and thank me later.” And annoyingly? She was right. Since then I’ve been way more open to it—whether it’s for sore muscles, air-freshening weird bathroom hacks, or chasing ants out of the kitchen.
From minor health annoyances to making your house smell a little less like whatever you cooked last night, peppermint’s secretly one of the most useful things you can keep around. Most people don’t even scratch the surface. So here’s a handful of simple, not-too-out-there ways to use it—nothing extreme, just very doable, surprisingly helpful little things you probably haven’t tried yet.
1. Refreshes Carpets/Fabric
If your carpets, couches, or other furniture aren’t smelling that great, mix together some baking soda with a few drops of peppermint essential oil. Sprinkle the mixture onto the carpet or furniture and leave it there for a few hours. Afterwards, vacuum up the residue and everything will be smelling much more fresh.
2. Deters Pests
The majority of insects and other pests absolutely hate the smell of peppermint. If you apply a few drops around your windows, doors, and any other cracks and crevices in your home, they’ll be more likely to stay away.
3. Helps With Nausea
If you’re feeling nauseous, try either sniffing a bottle of peppermint essential oil or putting a few drops in a diffuser. Peppermint is known to help many people fight symptoms of nausea.
4. Promotes Healthy Hair
Many people swear by mixing a few drops of peppermint oil with their shampoo while showering. It’s said to eliminate dandruff and make hair stronger, longer, and shinier.
5. Bug-Free Backyard
Nothing ruins a relaxing evening in your front or back yard like being swarmed by mosquitos. Since insects hate the smell of peppermint, planting a few peppermint plants in your garden will help repel them.
6. Battles Acne
To eliminate pimples and blemishes, mix together a few drops of peppermint oil with coconut oil, then use a cotton ball or pad to apply the solution to any problem areas of your skin. Leave the solution on overnight, then rinse off in the morning.
7. Energy Booster
Feeling a little blah? Just take a few whiffs of peppermint oil! Peppermint oil is said to increase focus, boost energy, and encourage more blood flow to the brain.
8. Soothes Itchy Bug Bites
Peppermint oil is great for soothing itchy skin, especially as a result of bug bites. Just mix a few drops of peppermint oil with a carrier oil, then apply the solution to any bites or itchy areas.
9. Soothes A Sore Throat
If your throat is dry, scratchy, or sore, you need a cup of peppermint tea. The peppermint in the tea works to relieve pain and inflammation, while also combatting infection.
10. Alleviates Headaches
If you’re dealing with a headache, try rubbing a few drops of diluted peppermint oil onto your temples, forehead, or the back of your neck.
11. Deodorizes Washrooms
If your bathroom always smells… fine but not clean, here’s a little trick that takes zero effort and makes a weirdly noticeable difference. Just put a couple of drops of peppermint oil on the inside of your toilet paper roll-the cardboard, not the paper. Every time the toilet paper roll spins, it releases a clean, fresh scent that makes the whole bathroom feel clean without smelling like a chemicals and spills. It’s one of those “how did I not know this sooner?” life hacks. No sprays, no plug-ins, just sneaky peppermint.
12. Helps With Sore Muscles
When your body is all tight and sore (like post-workout, bad sleep, or just… existing), peppermint oil is sort of amazing. Mix a few drops of the peppermint oil with a mild carrier oil (like almond oil or coconut oil), and massage it into whatever is sore and tight. It gives you this cooling tingling sensation that happens really fast and makes you feel good, or at least better than pretending like it helps. And you’ll smell great, like you just came from the spa instead of, well, your couch.
