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Menthol is an organic compound, specifically a monoterpenoid, that occurs naturally in the oils of several plants in the mint family, such as corn mint and peppermint. It is a white or clear waxy crystalline substance that is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above.
[1] [3] Moderate levels can be safely mixed into food items, or applied topically, sprayed on surfaces as a household cleaner, or inhaled using aromatherapy. [1] However, the menthol in peppermint oil may cause serious side effects in children and infants if inhaled. [1] Peppermint oil may have adverse interactions with prescription drugs. [3]
Peppermint oil is under preliminary research for its potential as a short-term treatment for irritable bowel syndrome, [51] [52] and has supposed uses in traditional medicine for minor ailments. [53] Peppermint oil and leaves have a cooling effect when used topically for muscle pain, nerve pain, relief from itching, or as a fragrance.
Mentha aquatica (water mint; syn. Mentha hirsuta Huds. [ 3 ] ) is a perennial flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae . It grows in moist places and is native to much of Europe, northwest Africa and southwest Asia .
Mentha, also known as mint (from Greek μίνθα míntha, [2] Linear B mi-ta [3]), is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. [4] It is estimated that 13 to 24 species exist, but the exact distinction between species is unclear.
Menthone is a constituent of the essential oils of pennyroyal, peppermint, corn mint, pelargonium geraniums, and other plant species. [1] In most essential oils, it is a minor component. [5] Menthone was first synthesized by oxidation of menthol in 1881, [6] [needs update] [7] before being found as a component in essential oils in 1891.
In India, traditional mint tea called pudina chai (पुदीना चाय) is made by steeping spearmint or peppermint in hot chai. [3] [4] Due to the high content of essential oils in leaves (1–2.5%), especially menthol, mint tea is popular for its curative effects.
It also occurs to the extent of about 40–60% in dill seed oil (from Anethum graveolens), and also in mandarin orange peel oil. R -(−)-Carvone is also the most abundant compound in the essential oil from several species of mint, particularly spearmint oil ( Mentha spicata ), which is composed of 50–80% R -(−)-carvone. [ 9 ]