Medical Uses of Menthol

Menthol, which is derived from the peppermint plant, is used to treat colds and flu, digestive disorders, headaches and irritated skin. It has been a popular remedy for more than 100 years, for internal and external use. However, more research is needed to confirm its medicinal efficacy.

What Menthol Is

• Menthol is an oil found in the leaves and stems of the peppermint plant, whose botanical name is Mentha piperita, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Peppermint is a natural hybrid of spearmint, also called Mentha spicata, and water mint, also called Mentha aquatica, that has been around since the 1700s, reports the "American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines." Menthol was first extracted from peppermint in the late 1800s.

Take Internally

• The menthol in peppermint aids digestion by calming stomach muscles and improving the flow of bile, which helps digest fats. It reduces flatulence or bloating by relaxing the muscles, thus allowing digestive gas to pass. It may also help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome. Menthol is a decongestant that thins mucus, breaking up coughs caused by phlegm. It also soothes sore throats and dry coughs, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. You will find it as an ingredient in many cough drops.

Use Externally

• Applied externally in a cream or ointment form, menthol soothes and cools skin irritated by hives, poison ivy and poison oak, notes University of Maryland Medical Center. In addition, it may relieve headaches when applied to the forehead and temples. You will also find it as an ingredient in chest rubs used to treat colds.

How To Use

• Internally, take menthol in the form of capsules, infusions, fresh or dried peppermint leaves, lozenges, oils, syrups or tinctures. Tea made from peppermint leaves, however, is unlikely to yield effective medicinal doses of menthol, according to "The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines." Externally, use menthol or peppermint in the forms of oils, ointments and tinctures.

Cautions

• Never use pure menthol, as it is a poison and as little as 1 tsp. can be fatal, reports "The American Pharmaceutical Association Practical Guide to Natural Medicines." Neither menthol nor peppermint should be given to infants or small children, or to pregnant or nursing mothers, warns the University of Maryland Medical Center. People taking cyclosporine should not take menthol, as it may interfere with the drug. Menthol should not be taken within two hours of taking an antacid. It may also lower blood sugar and blood pressure, so diabetics and people taking antihypertensive medications should use it with care. You should always tell your health care provider about any herbs or supplements you take.