Peppermint is not just an an ingredient in flavoured chewing gums. Here's more to this herb. The herb is a hybrid of two plants, water mint and spearmint and is beneficial both cosmetically as well as medically. When extracted as an pil, it is one of the many essential oils and is used extensively in perfumes and colognes. Peppermint oil is both rejuvenating and refreshing. It not only strengthens the immune system but also eases mental exhaustion. The oil can be used to give you a healthy scalp and healthy hair. Add a few drops of peppermint oil to your daily shampoo and it can help reduce that dandruff. Another benefit is it allows taming frizzy hair and brings about a shine to it. Peppermint oil can also bring about hair growth. The oil usage is not just a boon to the hair but also the skin and lips. Not only does it help control oil secretion of the skin but also clears it and brightens tired skin. The oil prevents acne and helps open pores. Peppermint oil helps heal cracked lips, and this is the reason why this oil is an active ingredient in chapsticks and lip glosses. The oil has a soothing effect (because of menthol that's present in it), and so can be used on wind-chapped or sun-burnt lip as it will give a cooling and refreshing effect on the skin. Please note that pepperment oil is really stong and when used, it should be diluted with a carrier oil, else it can cause side effects.