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Do Grocery Stores Sell Peppermint Oil? (Yes! Here’s Where)

Peppermint oil has loads of benefits, but many of us are not aware of where to get it. So while it looks like we can get it from the specialty or health stores, it left me wondering that – do grocery stores sell peppermint oil?

Yes. Almost all grocery stores sell Peppermint oil, sometimes called peppermint essential oil, and it can be found in their health and vitamin section. This should not be confused with peppermint extract which would be in the baking section next to vanilla extract. 

But there can be some confusion about peppermint oil.

After all, it is different than peppermint extract, and some peppermint oils might be for topical use only while others can be consumed.

So we’ll answer all the top questions below. Let’s get started.

What aisle can I find peppermint oil?

In grocery stores that sell peppermint oil, you’ll mostly find it in the aisle where natural products such as vitamins and health and beauty products are stocked. That’s the spot.

This can vary a little bit as some big chain grocers segment so-called “natural foods”, including supplements, into their own area. But other stores just integrate natural products into the normal sections that include other items in the same categories.

Now that you know the aisle, you may also want to understand how grocery stores are laid out.

That way you can easily cruise through them and save time when you go shopping. I went into great detail on how the aisles are organized in a recent article of mine.

Just click the link to read it on my site. 

For example, I wrote about the sections of a grocery store, the perimeter area (what!), the center, why grocery stores are designed that way, and other exciting info.

But below, let’s get into the confusion between peppermint oil and peppermint extract.

Is peppermint oil and peppermint extract the same thing?

No, peppermint oil and peppermint extract are not the same things. The oil is pure peppermint, while the extract, as its name implies, is an extract, typically mixed with ethyl alcohol and possibly even made from artificial peppermint flavor.

Peppermint oil is made purely from the peppermint plant, while peppermint extract is made mostly from alcohol and some peppermint. I’ll explain further.

To get peppermint oil, the leaves and stem of the plant are subjected to high temperatures.

When the heat and steam reaches a specific high point, oil is easily extracted from the plant. It’s’s pure concentrated oil. The process is called steam distillation.

The extract, on the other hand, is largely alcohol.

It is ‘made’ by soaking the peppermint plant in alcohol. Over time, the medium extracts the oil from the plant. The extract is partly peppermint; what’s dominant is the alcohol.

It’s’s believed that the oil is about four times more concentrated and more potent than the extract. It follows, therefore, that the extract is not as powerful as the oil, and the former can easily evaporate.

You can also make the extract by diluting the peppermint oil with alcohol.

If that’s what you prefer, note that it’s still less potent than the pure peppermint oil.  As you’ll expect, peppermint oil is a bit more expensive. So, be guided by what you’ll like to use the peppermint for.

Does Walmart sell peppermint oil in the store?

Yes, Walmart does sell peppermint oil. The least expensive one they carry (with good reviews) is GuruNanda 100% Pure Peppermint Essential Oil for Aromatherapy. This one is for topical use only, so not for consumption. And it’s currently about $6.00.

What does topical use mean?

Well, it means you might use the oil in a diffuser to scent your home. Or you might add it to bath water to scent the bathwater. 

You can also mix it with water in a pump spray container to make an all-natural room deodorizer.

Now that you know that you can get peppermint oil at Walmart, one interesting question is: Is Walmart a grocery store or a supermarket?

In fact, many people wonder what the difference between grocery stores and supermarkets is?

In a recent article of mine, I went to town on the question.

I provided an in-depth guide, which you’ll find interesting. I gave examples of some of the best-known supermarkets, and also mentioned the key distinguishing features between grocery stores and supermarkets. 

Just click the link to read it on my site.

What are the benefits & uses of peppermint oil?

Peppermint oil can be used as a bug-repellant, to soothe aches and pains by rubbing onto the skin or adding to the bath. But it is also sometimes used to help manage symptoms of IBS. And it has been shown to boost energy levels.

Peppermint oil has been known to have many highly beneficial uses for centuries.

It’s’s something of a wonder plant. You’ll be surprised at the many diverse things it can be used for. Some of the claims have even been backed by clinical studies.

However, space won’t permit me to write about them all. So, I’ll share only the salient ones below.

  • It’s’s used as a bug-repellant. Simply combine it with water, and spray it where you know bugs love to hide, or you could rub it on your skin. Before you opt for the latter, test it first, on a small part of your skin, to ensure it doesn’t irritate you. Peppermint oil is proven to repel bugs.  
  • It’s’s used to treat pain and inflammation of the muscles. The oil has analgesic, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory properties. So, it’s helpful to relieve those who experience sore muscles and cramps.
  • It helps boost your energy level. Most of us feel a tad weak in the afternoons. We wish we’ll be more energetic or at least maintain the alertness we had in the mornings. Peppermint will help make you feel more alert. It’s been a great choice, especially if you’re trying to check your reliance on Coffee. You could apply it to the back of your neck and shoulders a couple of times. Or, you could diffuse it in a room or office. If you engage in vigorous exercises, you could inhale it, to help you stay focused and to fight fatigue.
  • It’s’s used to treat IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome). This is the area where the efficacy of peppermint oil has been studied a lot. IBS is experienced by a lot of people and can manifest as constipation, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. In studies conducted, researchers found that peppermint oil helps with IBS. It’s’s believed that the oil affects the bacteria living in the gut; it decreases pain in the tract; it helps relax the muscles in the tract and has anti-inflammatory properties.
  • It’s’s used for treating indigestion. Peppermint has carminative properties; this is one of the reasons why it helps in treating indigestion. In effect, it’ll make it highly easy for one to expel gas and relieve distension and abdominal pain. You could inhale it or massage some drops on your stomach. You can also drink it in the form of tea.

Peppermint is a herb, and most herbal products are safe to use.

However, As I stated earlier, the oil is concentrated, so use it with discretion. Also, Peppermint oil is safe to use for many conditions, but if you’re pregnant or have allergies, consult a medical practitioner before use.

It’s’s also not to be used for babies and children.

How much does peppermint oil cost?

Peppermint oil starts at around $8.00 for half an ounce. But buying larger quantities can get you a much better price per ounce, often as low as $3.50/ounce when you buy a 4 oz. container.

Just like most other things, there’s a range of prices. And, you know that there’s almost always a positive relationship between price and quality. 

Final Thoughts

It’s a wrap!

In the paragraphs above, I shared a lot about grocery stores that sell peppermint oil. For example, I shared the many wonderful uses and benefits of peppermint oil. You can use it for some common ailments, which I mentioned.

And you can even use it to boost your energy level.

I also looked at how much it costs and the brand that I’ll recommend you purchase, a brand that packs a lot of power and yet is affordable. I mentioned that you could easily get it in some grocery stores, and even the aisle.

You can get it at Walmart. Also, I mentioned who must not use peppermint oil.

Jeff Campbell