Mint oil

safety instructions
Surname	Mint oil from Mentha arvensis L.
CAS number	90063-97-1
GHS labeling of hazardous substances Caution
H and P phrases	H: 315-319-317-412
	P: 261-273-280-333 + 313-337 + 313-501

Mint oil ( "Japanese peppermint oil" ) is an essential oil obtained from the herbs of certain field mints . It is used as a cost-effective alternative to the higher quality peppermint oil in similar areas of application.

Manufacturing

Field mint ( Mentha arvensis )

The essential oil is obtained from the herb cultivated forms of field mint, which are rich in menthol , using steam distillation . For pharmaceutical qualities of the oil ( Menthae arvensis aetherolum ) are Mentha arvensis L. var. Piperascens MALINV. ex HOLMES (Japanese mint) and Mentha canadensis L. are permitted stem plants. After crystallization, part of the menthol is separated from the viscous oil (menthol content of up to 90 percent), which is primarily obtained, which is very rich in menthol, and the mint oil is obtained after rectification .

There is no natural mint oil because the natural menthol content is too high for use and must therefore be reduced. Field mint is used to obtain natural menthol for the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Of Mentha arvensis there are different plant varieties that have the aim of increasing the menthol and the essential oil yield. The menthol content of newer plant varieties is around 90 percent of the total amount of oil.

ingredients

Mint oil contains approx. 30 to 50% menthol , approx. 17 to 35% menthone , approx. 5 to 13% isomenthone, approx. 1.5 to 7% menthyl acetate and approx. 2.5 to 5% menthofuran, as well as other terpenes .

effect

The main chemical component of the oil is menthol . In higher doses, the oil has a local numbing ( anesthetic ) and pain-suppressing ( analgesic ) effect, the effect corresponds to that of (real) peppermint oil.

Menthol works on the cold menthol receptor ( TRPM 8), so the oil has an (apparently) cooling effect, but the body temperature is not affected. This effect is comparable to the heat stimulus of capsaicin .

application

Internally, mint oil is used for flatulence ( meteorism ), functional stomach, intestinal ( irritable bowel ) and biliary complaints as well as catarrhs of the upper airways. External use is on the temples for headaches and to relieve the symptoms of colds . With the help of inhalation , a stubborn cough can be released and the upper airways cleared. Rubbing tense muscles with mint oil relieves the symptoms.

Mint oil is also used as a flavoring in foods and oral care products.

It is used as a denaturant for alcohol in the Netherlands .

Application restriction

Mint oil and preparations containing mint oil must not be used on small children and infants, there is a risk of life-threatening shortness of breath.

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b Entry on Mentha arvensis, extract in the GESTIS substance database of the IFA , accessed on January 29, 2017 (JavaScript required)
↑ European Pharmacopoeia, 7th edition, Grundwerk 2011, Deutscher Apothekerverlag, p. 1803.
↑ Hans-Jörg Behrendt: Comparative functional studies of the heat capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) and the cold menthol receptor (TRPM8) in recombinant and native cell systems (species used: humans, rats and mice) . ( Memento from November 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF) Dissertation, University of Bochum, 2004.

[GESTIS-1] Entry on Mentha arvensis, extract in the GESTIS substance database of the IFA , accessed on January 29, 2017 (JavaScript required)

[2] European Pharmacopoeia, 7th edition, Grundwerk 2011, Deutscher Apothekerverlag, p. 1803.

[3] Hans-Jörg Behrendt: Comparative functional studies of the heat capsaicin receptor (TRPV1) and the cold menthol receptor (TRPM8) in recombinant and native cell systems (species used: humans, rats and mice) . ( Memento from November 15, 2016 in the Internet Archive ) (PDF) Dissertation, University of Bochum, 2004.