1.

Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained

from cornmint, peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystallinesubstance, clear or white
in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of
menthol occurring in nature is menthol, which is assigned the configuration. Menthol
has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat
irritation. Menthol also acts as a weak kappa opioid receptor agonist.
Structure:
Natural menthol exists as one pure stereoisomer, nearly always the (1R,2S,5R) form (bottom left
corner of the diagram below). The eight possible stereoisomers are:

n the natural compound, the isopropyl group is in the trans orientation to both
the methyl and hydroxyl groups. Thus, it can be drawn in any of the ways shown:

The (+)- and ()-enantiomers of menthol are the most stable among these based on
their cyclohexane conformations. With the ring itself in a chair conformation, all three bulky groups
can orient in equatorial positions.
The two crystal forms for racemic menthol have melting points of 28C and 38C. Pure ()-menthol
has four crystal forms, of which the most stable is the form, the familiar broad needles.

Biological preparation:
Menthol's ability to chemically trigger the cold-sensitive TRPM8 receptors in the skin is responsible
for the well-known cooling sensation it provokes when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin. In this
sense, it is similar to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for the spiciness of hot chilis (which
stimulates heat sensors, also without causing an actual change in temperature).
Menthol's analgesic properties are mediated through a selective activation of -opioid
receptors. Menthol also blocks voltage-sensitive sodium channels, reducing neural activity that may
stimulate muscles. A study showed that topical absorption of ibuprofen is not increased by menthol,
but does note the complementary effect of the menthol as a pain reliever itself.

Occurrence:
Menthe arvensis is the primary species of mint used to make natural menthol crystals and natural
menthol flakes. This species is primarily grown in the Uttar Pradesh region in India.
()-Menthol occurs naturally in peppermint oil (along with a little menthone, the ester menthyl
acetate and other compounds), obtained from Mentha x piperita. Japanese menthol also contains a
small percentage of the 1-epimer, (+)-neomenthol.

2. Peppermint:
Peppermint extract is an herbal extract of peppermint (Mentha x piperita) made from the essential
oils of peppermint leaves. It is commonly used in cooking, as a dietary supplement, and as an herbal
or alternative medicine. The liquid is obtained by extracting the oils from dried or fresh leaves and
the flowering tops of the plant using alcohol. It is commonly sold in 1 oz. or 4 oz. bottles.
3. Essential oils:
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile aroma
compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known asvolatile oils, ethereal
oils, aetherolea, or simply as the "oil of" the plant from which they were extracted, such
as oil of clove. An oil is "essential" in the sense that it contains the characteristic fragrance of
the plant that it is taken from Essential oils do not form a distinctive category for any medical,
pharmacological, or culinary purpose. They are not essential for health.
Essential oils are generally extracted by distillation, often by using steam. Other processes
include expression or solvent extraction. They are used in perfumes, cosmetics, soaps and
other products, for flavoring food and drink, and for adding scents to incense and household
cleaning products.
Essential oils have been used medicinally in history. Medical applications proposed by those
who sell medicinal oils range from skin treatments to remedies for cancer and often are
based solely on historical accounts of use of essential oils for these purposes. Claims for the
efficacy of medical treatments, and treatment of cancers in particular, are now subject to
regulation in most countries.
As the use of essential oils has declined in evidence-based medicine, one must consult older
textbooks for much information on their use. Modern works are less inclined to generalize;
rather than refer to "essential oils" as a class at all, they prefer to discuss specific
compounds, such as methyl salicylate, rather than "oil of wintergreen".
Interest in essential oils has revived in recent decades with the popularity of aromatherapy, a
branch of alternative medicine that claims that essential oils and other aromatic compounds
have curative effects. Oils are volatilized or diluted in a carrier oil and used in massage,
diffused in the air by a nebulizer, heated over a candle flame, or burned as incense.
The earliest recorded mention of the techniques and methods used to produce essential oils
is believed to be that of Ibn al-Baitar (11881248),
an Andalusian physician, pharmacist and chemist.
4. Aromatic chemicals:
"Aromatic" and "aromatic compound" redirect here. For meanings related to odor, see aroma
compound.
5.
Two different resonance forms of benzene (top) combine to produce an average structure (bottom)
In organic chemistry, aromaticity is a chemical property describing the way in which
a conjugated ring of unsaturated bonds, lone pairs, or empty orbitals exhibits a stabilization
stronger than would be expected by the stabilization of conjugation alone. The earliest use of
the term was in an article by August Wilhelm Hofmann in 1855.
[1]
There is no general
relationship between aromaticity as a chemical property and the olfactory properties of such
compounds.
Aromaticity can also be considered a manifestation of cyclic delocalization and
of resonance. This is usually considered to be because electrons are free to cycle around
circular arrangements of atoms that are alternately single- and double-bonded to one
another. These bonds may be seen as a hybrid of a single bond and a double bond, each
bond in the ring identical to every other. This commonly seen model of aromatic rings,
namely the idea that benzene was formed from a six-membered carbon ring with alternating
single and double bonds (cyclohexatriene), was developed by Kekul (see History section
below). The model for benzene consists of two resonanceforms, which corresponds to the
double and single bonds superimposing to give rise to six one-and-a-half bonds. Benzene is
a more stable molecule than would be expected without accounting for charge delocalization.

5. Menthol crystal:
These carefully crafted crystals are a 100% natural product that
originate from Cornmint essential oil. Menthol crystals come from
freezing the base concentrate oil. From here the crystals are commonly
applied to cosmetics, salves and balms, which are created to assist in
coughs, congestion, and upper respiratory problems. A great inhalant by
itself and easily combined into recipes.
Stores well under most conditions, but excessive humidity may cause it
to cake up and harden. Exposure to levels of high heat will also cause it
to melt. It is best stored at an ambient temperature of about 65-80
degrees.
Menthol crystals are cooling, refreshing, and have a pleasantly strong
minty aroma. They are often used in cosmetics, salves, balms, medicated
creams, throat lozenges, toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, foot sprays, pain
relief or cooling body products, shampoos, conditioners, liniments,
shaving creams, oral or throat sprays, compresses, medicated oils, and
cooling gels. Since Menthol crystals are so concentrated, only a very
small amount is needed within products.
TYPICAL ANALYSIS
Color- Crystalline
Odor- Strong camphor-like with heavy mint tones
Melting point- 107-109 degrees
Menthol assay- 99.52%
Crystal size- 1/4 - 3/8 inch shards
PRODUCTION
Menthol crystals are naturally produced through Mint (Mentha
arvensis) essential oil extraction. Menthol is the solid constituent of oil
of mint, to which its characteristic odor is due, and was formerly known
as peppermint camphor. Menthol is obtained by subjecting the distilled
oil to a temperature of -22 C, (-7.6 F.) by the aid of a freezing mixture,
the menthol crystallizes out in satiny crystals and the mother liquor is
removed while the low temperature is maintained. They dissolve readily
into alcohol or essential oils, and they can also be dissolved into water or
oil at their melting point of 111.2 deg. F.
SUMMARY AND DIRECTIONS
To use Menthol crystals in a salve: Melt all ingredients together except
for the menthol and essential oils. Remove from heat, stir in menthol
crystals, re-heat until crystals are melted if needed. Remove from heat
and let cool before stirring in the essential oils or they will evaporate,
pour into containers. If you dont have experience in using menthol
crystals, they are quite powerful, so do wear a mask when using them
and caution, you dont want to have your head right over the bowl when
mixing this item. Menthol crystals are soluble in alcohol, essential oils,
and carrier oil but almost insoluble in water and glycerin. Menthol is the
chief constituent of mint oil and is responsible for its distinctive odor
and taste and the cooling sensation it produces when applied to the
skin. Mentha piperita contains up to 50% menthol and Mentha
arvensis contains 70-80% menthol. In ointments, liniments, and
solutions menthol crystals are employed in strengths ranging from 5 to
20 per cent, and the crystals are commonly applied to cosmetics, salves,
and balms. Use a few drops on the tiles of the walls surrounding your
shower (not on the floor!) and the menthol will be released by the steam
created by the hot water.
For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated
by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended
to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.