Menthol & Mint (RP's Perspective On Essential Oils?)

SOMO

Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2018
Messages
1,094
MINT+header.jpg
Some thoughts on Essential Oils (EOs):

1. Most essential oils (EOs) used for internal use cause mucosal damage, including the popular oregano oil. (But so does aspirin.

2. All essential oils are antimicrobial, some are antiviral/antifungal. Supposedly they work by disrupting the "cell membrane" (membrane theory may be incorrect, but most EOs also work as surfactants or solvents and can dissolve biological materials.) Not all EOs work for all strains of bacteria.

3. Essential Oils are neither Essential nor Oils/Fats/lipids. They are usually alcohols or terpenes.
_____________

Menthol, the EO found in Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint and Corn Mint is used in traditional forms (mint leaf tea) and more processed forms such as Peppermint Essential Oils. It used to reduce IBS symptoms (possibly blocks serotonin?) as well as a quick fix for general GI issues including nausea.

1. Anti-Serotonin
Peppermint Acts As Serotonin Antagonist?

2. Menthol and/or Peppermint have long been known to be helpful to people with IBS/Crohn's Disease/GI issues.

https://www.amazon.com/Heathers-Tum...sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=heather's+tummy+menthol

Peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome. - PubMed - NCBI

3. Menthol tastes good.
This isn't an argument for or against the safety of EO's, because lead paint also supposedly tastes sweet. But it doesn't taste outwardly toxic, even undiluted. Many of the substances people here ingest taste foul (extremely bitter or sour) and nobody bats an eyelash. But taste is a a good indicator of toxicity.
Menthol is also added to toothpaste for a reason, besides masking the taste of SF.

4. Menthol works in OPPOSITION to Capsaicin.
Menthol is a a COUNTER-irritant, unlike Capsaicin which is a pro-irritant. They both act on the TRPV "Receptors" which are associated with heat, burning and pain.

Hot chili peppers (Capsaicin) obviously trigger nociception, but menthol only seems uncomfortable when cool air is applied to the menthol-treated area. Otherwise, menthol seems "cooling" in an anti-inflammatory way.
Reciprocal effects of capsaicin and menthol on thermosensation through regulated activities of TRPV1 and TRPM8

5. Menthol is anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory activity of L-menthol compared to mint oil in human monocytes in vitro: a novel perspective for its therapeutic use in inflam... - PubMed - NCBI

The gastroprotective effect of menthol: involvement of anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. - PubMed - NCBI

5.5 Menthol is anti-microbial
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Menthol and Menthone in Schistosoma mansoni Infection


6. It's thermogenic, likely for the same reason that cold ice water is thermogenic - the body needs to raise the temperature of the internal environment to function properly.
The absorption and metabolism of a single L-menthol oral versus skin administration: Effects on thermogenesis and metabolic rate. - PubMed - NCBI

7. Possibly lowers Lactic Acid
Oral L-menthol reduces thermal sensation, increases work-rate and extends time to exhaustion, in the heat at a fixed rating of perceived exertion. - PubMed - NCBI

(Credit to @griesburner for finding this link)
The effects of peppermint on exercise performance

8. May irritate mucosal membranes, like all EOs
l-Menthol sprayed on gastric mucosa causes edematous change




Menthol seems relatively safe, but is not without its downsides. Irritation of the gastric mucosa is a concern.
What is RP's view on menthol or EOs for internal or topical use? Is Menthol metabolized into aldehydes like alcohol is?
 

AsuraAcademy

Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2021
Messages
72
MINT+header.jpg
Some thoughts on Essential Oils (EOs):

1. Most essential oils (EOs) used for internal use cause mucosal damage, including the popular oregano oil. (But so does aspirin.

2. All essential oils are antimicrobial, some are antiviral/antifungal. Supposedly they work by disrupting the "cell membrane" (membrane theory may be incorrect, but most EOs also work as surfactants or solvents and can dissolve biological materials.) Not all EOs work for all strains of bacteria.

3. Essential Oils are neither Essential nor Oils/Fats/lipids. They are usually alcohols or terpenes.
_____________

Menthol, the EO found in Mint, Peppermint, Spearmint and Corn Mint is used in traditional forms (mint leaf tea) and more processed forms such as Peppermint Essential Oils. It used to reduce IBS symptoms (possibly blocks serotonin?) as well as a quick fix for general GI issues including nausea.

1. Anti-Serotonin
Peppermint Acts As Serotonin Antagonist?

2. Menthol and/or Peppermint have long been known to be helpful to people with IBS/Crohn's Disease/GI issues.

https://www.amazon.com/Heathers-Tummy-Tamers-Peppermint-Capsules/dp/B0002UDK4Q/ref=sr_1_fkmr2_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1524572421&sr=8-1-fkmr2&keywords=heather's+tummy+menthol

Peppermint oil in irritable bowel syndrome. - PubMed - NCBI

3. Menthol tastes good.
This isn't an argument for or against the safety of EO's, because lead paint also supposedly tastes sweet. But it doesn't taste outwardly toxic, even undiluted. Many of the substances people here ingest taste foul (extremely bitter or sour) and nobody bats an eyelash. But taste is a a good indicator of toxicity.
Menthol is also added to toothpaste for a reason, besides masking the taste of SF.

4. Menthol works in OPPOSITION to Capsaicin.
Menthol is a a COUNTER-irritant, unlike Capsaicin which is a pro-irritant. They both act on the TRPV "Receptors" which are associated with heat, burning and pain.

Hot chili peppers (Capsaicin) obviously trigger nociception, but menthol only seems uncomfortable when cool air is applied to the menthol-treated area. Otherwise, menthol seems "cooling" in an anti-inflammatory way.
Reciprocal effects of capsaicin and menthol on thermosensation through regulated activities of TRPV1 and TRPM8

5. Menthol is anti-inflammatory
The anti-inflammatory activity of L-menthol compared to mint oil in human monocytes in vitro: a novel perspective for its therapeutic use in inflam... - PubMed - NCBI

The gastroprotective effect of menthol: involvement of anti-apoptotic, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. - PubMed - NCBI

5.5 Menthol is anti-microbial
Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Menthol and Menthone in Schistosoma mansoni Infection

6. It's thermogenic
, likely for the same reason that cold ice water is thermogenic - the body needs to raise the temperature of the internal environment to function properly.
The absorption and metabolism of a single L-menthol oral versus skin administration: Effects on thermogenesis and metabolic rate. - PubMed - NCBI

7. Possibly lowers Lactic Acid
Oral L-menthol reduces thermal sensation, increases work-rate and extends time to exhaustion, in the heat at a fixed rating of perceived exertion. - PubMed - NCBI

(Credit to @griesburner for finding this link)
The effects of peppermint on exercise performance

8. May irritate mucosal membranes, like all EOs
l-Menthol sprayed on gastric mucosa causes edematous change




Menthol seems relatively safe, but is not without its downsides. Irritation of the gastric mucosa is a concern.
What is RP's view on menthol or EOs for internal or topical use? Is Menthol metabolized into aldehydes like alcohol is?
Thanks for this post man. I am looking for information about menthol from a peaty perspective. Thank you so much. Menthol is known for its cooling effect. In India, it is used in hair oils.
 

Ignoramus

Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2020
Messages
185
I love mint tea; it helps my breathing. I heard it is estrogenic or something, but idc.
 

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