Menthol is a natural compound found in mint plants like peppermint and corn mint. It’s a waxy, crystalline solid with a cooling effect when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin. The most common natural form is (−)-menthol with the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. It’s widely used for pain relief, flavoring, and soothing throat irritation. While it gives a cooling feeling, it doesn’t actually clear nasal congestion and may even cause it in some inhaler forms.
🏭⚗️ Production
Natural menthol is made by freezing peppermint oil and filtering the crystals. As of 2005, synthetic menthol production nearly doubled compared to 1998. India is now the leading producer.
Synthetic methods include converting myrcene to menthol through several chemical steps or using the Haarmann–Reimer process, which starts from m-cresol. These processes produce either pure or racemic menthol, which is then refined.
🧪 Applications
In aftershave to soothe razor burn
As a cigarette additive for flavor and to reduce throat irritation (also increasing nicotine addiction potential)
As a pesticide for tracheal mites in honey bees
In perfumery, to enhance floral notes
In cooling patches and foot patches, especially in Asia
As an antispasmodic in gastrointestinal endoscopy
