Mentha essential oil, also known as Japanese mint oil, stands out for its high menthol content and wide range of medical and cosmetic applications. Steam distillation of partly wilted leaves, sometimes enhanced with Cymbopogon winterianus (citronella grass), yields the oil. People extensively grow the mentha plant for its essential oil, primarily due to its elevated menthol content, a crucial active ingredient that contributes to its medicinal benefits.
The Mentha arvensis plant flourishes on the plains of Nepal, where the distinctive non conventional soil composition and altitude yield a superior grade of mentha essential oil relative to other places. The pharmaceutical sector values the oil for its antibacterial, analgesic, and decongestant properties. People commonly use it to relieve respiratory ailments such as the common cold and sinus congestion. Furthermore, mentha oil serves as a crucial component in analgesic balms and ointments owing to its cooling and alleviating properties for muscles and joints.
The cosmetic business reveres Mentha essential oil for its invigorating aroma and cooling attributes, making it a popular choice in skincare items, toothpaste, and haircare formulas. It alleviates skin irritation, reduces inflammation, and addresses disorders such as acne. Moreover, mentha oil serves as a flavoring additive in the food business, particularly in confectioneries, drinks, and chewing gums.
Principal constituents of Mentha essential oil;
Menthol (70-80%)
Menthol is the principal active constituent in mentha essential oil, accountable for its cooling and calming properties. Analgesic balms, respiratory relief treatments, and cosmetic formulations extensively utilize it. Menthol possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antispasmodic effects, rendering it beneficial for alleviating muscular discomfort, headaches, and respiratory congestion.
Menthone (7-10%)
Menthone imparts a pungent, minty fragrance and enhances the oil’s antibacterial and antimicrobial characteristics. Its antibacterial properties enhance the oil’s efficacy in combating infections, leading to its frequent use in oral hygiene products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.
Isomenthone (2-4%)
Isomenthone possesses a structure akin to menthone and imparts a subtle antispasmodic action to the oil. This renders it beneficial for alleviating intestinal distress, spasms, and respiratory ailments.
Neomenthol (up to 2%)
shares chemical similarities with menthol, albeit with a milder cooling effect. It contributes to amplifying the oil’s calming and soothing properties, particularly for the skin.
Limonene (1-2%)
Limonene is a monoterpene that imparts antioxidant and antibacterial properties to mentha essential oil. It possesses a citrus fragrance that enhances the minty flavor and is advantageous in formulas designed to improve skin health and counteract free radicals.