Menthol
Menthol is a compound from peppermint and other mint oils that creates a cooling sensation on the skin and mucous membranes.
Feeling clearer is not the same as opening the airway
In a crossover experiment involving ten healthy adults, inhaled menthol did not reduce upper-airway resistance compared with sham exposure. The study tested a physical airflow measurement; it does not rule out a useful sensation of cooling or relief. 1
A small trial found short-lived pain relief
Ten workers with carpal tunnel syndrome took part in a trial comparing topical menthol with a scented placebo. Pain was about 1.2 points lower on a scale from zero to ten during the following one to three hours. This supports further study of temporary relief, not a claim that menthol repairs the nerve problem. 2
The digestive evidence concerns peppermint oil
EMA recognizes certain peppermint-oil medicines for abdominal spasms, gas and pain, particularly in irritable bowel syndrome. Those preparations contain a mixture of compounds. Their evidence does not establish the same benefit for a capsule of isolated menthol. 3
Evidence for peppermint-oil preparations cannot establish an equivalent effect of isolated menthol. 3
Effects by health goal
Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.
Cognition2 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
Gut Health1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Immune Support1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.
Stress & Mood3 effects
No study is linked to this rating.
No study is linked to this rating.
Hair & Skin1 effect
No study is linked to this rating.