Mint Oil

Mentha piperita, a sterile hybrid of the species M. aquatica L. and M. spicata, is probably the most important commercial aromatic herb in the world today from the standpoint of the size of the area cultivated for oil distillation. The peppermint leaves have a characteristic, sweetish, strong odor and an aromatic, warm, pungent taste, with a cooling aftertaste.

Menthol essential oil is one of the most demanding oils in the cosmetics, health and food sectors. Perks of using Menthol oil is, it revitalizes the mind and body and gives a stimulating, invigorating and uplifted feeling.

Among several plants, Mentha piperita is one of the herbs most widely used worldwide, with a long history of safe use in medicinal preparations. Its leaf is used as a remedy for common cold, inflammation of the mouth, pharynx, liver, as well as disorders in the gastrointestinal tract such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, flatulence and dyspepsia. This plant possesses polyphenols that are highly effective antioxidants and are less toxic than the synthetic ones.  This property makes it of great interest to the Food Industry, since the phenolic compounds retard the oxidative degradation of lipids improving the quality and nutritional value of food. The aim of this review is to show that several studies have demonstrated the presence of many different chemical compounds in Mentha piperita and their pharmacological effects. This plant has demonstrated the presence of a wide variety of bioactive compounds that represent a rich resource in phytochemicals of great interest to treat several pathologies. Some of the benefic biological effects show that this plant may play an important role as anti-oxidant, antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, anti-carcinogenic, antiviral, anti-allergic and antitumorigenic, indicating its utility in the prevention or treatment of several diseases. Furthermore, Mentha piperita is a promising plant that may offer low-cost alternative strategy for the use in Medicine and in food industry.

The process of formulating Menthol essential oil has begun when the menthol flowers and leaves are not enough matured. This is the time when essential oil content is at its peak. Manufacturers made it usable through steam distilled methodology where the essence of menthol is prepared at apt temperature.