Menthol facts for kids

Menthol is a special substance found in mint plants like peppermint and corn mint. It can also be made in a lab. It looks like white, waxy crystals and is a solid at normal room temperature. It melts easily when it gets a little warmer.

Menthol is famous for its cool, fresh feeling. It can make your throat feel better and help with minor pain.

The main type of mint used to make natural menthol is called Mentha arvensis, also known as corn mint. A lot of this mint is grown in the Uttar Pradesh region of India.

To get natural menthol, peppermint oil is frozen. Then, the menthol crystals are separated from the oil using a process called filtration.

What Menthol Is Used For

Menthol is used in many different ways because of its special properties.

It can help stop itching. It is also used to make muscles feel better, especially after sprains or when you have a headache. Some medicines for sunburns also contain menthol to help soothe the skin.

Farmers sometimes use menthol as a pesticide to protect bees from tiny bugs called tracheal mites. In advanced chemistry, menthol helps scientists build complex molecules in a specific way.

Images for kids

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  A close-up picture of menthol crystals.

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  Menthol crystals at room temperature. They are about 1 cm long.

See also

In Spanish: Mentol para niños