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L-menthol

Menthol is a monoterpenoid organic compound that occurs naturally in the oils of certain plants in the mint family, such as corn mint and peppermint. It is a white or clear waxy crystalline substance that is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration.

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L-menthol is a waxy crystalline compound found naturally in mint plant oils, most commonly in peppermint and corn mint, that is solid at room temperature. It's the primary form of menthol that occurs in nature and has applications in food, medicine, and consumer products due to its cooling and flavoring properties.

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18 sections

Contents

Structure
Biological properties
Occurrence
Biosynthesis
Production
Applications
Cosmetic
Medical
Others
Organic chemistry
Reactions
History
Compendial status
Safety
See also
References
Further reading
External links

For many people, menthol produces a cooling sensation when inhaled, eaten, or applied to the skin, and mint plants have been used for centuries for topical pain relief and as a food flavoring. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation.