Menthol, which is said to relieve pain, is a surprising ingredient
Menthol is a natural organic compound extracted from mint plants such as peppermint and spearmint. In addition to natural extraction, synthetic menthol also exists, and its function and scent are the same. It is a colorless crystal form and is characterized by its unique refreshing scent and a cool sensation when it touches the skin. Unlike mint powder, oil, and fresh leaves that are used as they are, menthol is a crystal of mint and causes a strong cooling sensation that goes beyond refreshing. Let's learn about menthol, which is good for a cool feeling in humid and hot weather.
Overview of the history of menthol
= BC : Mint was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt, Greece, and China
= 18th century: Peppermint oil became popular in the West as a cold, digestive, and pain reliever
= 1771 : German chemist Hieronymus David Gaubius first isolated menthol crystals from peppermint essential oil
= 1874 : Dr. Ogawa of Japan elucidated the chemical structure of menthol
= 1881 : Menthol spread to Europe and commercial production began
= Early 20th century : Menthol-containing toothpaste, patches, and candies were released in the US and Europe
= 1930s : Development of synthetic menthol began – mass production became possible
= 1970~present : Menthol is used in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals (patches, cold medicine), cosmetics (cooling skin), and foods (mint candy, gum)
Menthol Usage History
The world's oldest medical document, the Ebers Papyrus (1150 BC, Egypt), mentions mint as a digestive and an herb that relieves abdominal distension.
A record collected around 359 BC under the name of Hippocrates records that it was eaten to treat irritation after lung disease, jaundice, and swelling.
In addition, it seems that there were widespread speculations in ancient Greece and Rome that it relieved headaches, prevented vomiting blood, and prevented pregnancy.
Perhaps because mint is non-toxic and has a good scent, people have been applying and eating it since BC and have verified its efficacy.
In the meantime, as the technology to refine menthol and its chemical structure were discovered in the 18th century, mass production began in the 19th century.
Why Menthol is
Cool
= Sensory neuron TRP (Transient Receptor
Potential) channel: TRP channels are a group of ion channels mainly located in
the cell membranes of various animal cells, and allow us to feel various
sensations such as pain, temperature, taste, pressure, and sight. Menthol also
affects the function of TRP channels.
= Cooling effect: It responds to the TRPM8
receptor, which is a TRP that makes us feel cold.
= Analgesic effect: Menthol relieves pain by
participating in the activation of TRPA1, TRPV1, etc. as well as TRPM8.
This research led
to David Julius winning the 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Simply
put, neurons that make up the nervous system, especially sensory neurons that
transmit sensations, and among them, TRP (Transient Receptor Potential) channels,
and among them, subgroup 8 is the receptor that feels cold. This receptor
responds to cold, but it also responds to menthol and eucalyptol, so it feels
cool even though there is no change in temperature. Follow-up studies on this
research have shown that menthol is effective not only for cooling, but also
for local analgesic, pain relief, and itching relief. Animal experiments have
revealed that menthol induces pain relief through various TRP mechanisms, as
well as TRPM8.
Benefits and
effects of menthol
Menthol's cooling
effect is used as an effective ingredient to solve various minor problems by
relieving minor pain in the human body and making you feel refreshed.
= Local pain relief and itching relief
Menthol can induce a cooling sensation without lowering
body temperature, and that cooling sensation has the effect of reducing pain on
the skin, so it is used to relieve dermatitis, insect bites, and minor pain.
= Alleviate indigestion symptoms
Menthol can help relieve indigestion symptoms by
stimulating the digestive system, especially the esophagus and stomach, while
providing a cooling sensation not only on the skin but also on the mucous
membranes.
= Oral cleaning and deodorizing function
Menthol's unique scent and volatility help maintain a
refreshing scent in the mouth and is effective in eliminating bad breath,
making it a popular ingredient in most toothpastes, mouthwashes, and gums.
= Alleviate hair loss symptoms
Although menthol can treat hair loss, it is used as an
ingredient in functional cosmetics for hair loss improvement by the Ministry of
Food and Drug Safety in Korea as an ingredient that provides a refreshing
feeling to the scalp and helps relieve itchiness.
= Nasal and respiratory care
Menthol can help relieve nasal congestion and upper
respiratory tract pain by stimulating TRPM8 receptors to create a sensation of
cool breath, even though it doesn't actually produce cold air.
Menthol Safety
It is classified
as a “generally recognized as safe (GRAS)” by the US FDA and the European Union
(EU) and is even safe enough to put in your eyes. There are almost no side
effects when used in appropriate concentrations.
However, no matter
how good something is, too much of it is not good. The allowable amount of
menthol as a pharmaceutical additive can be found in the Ministry of Food and
Drug Safety in Korea and the FDA in the US.
The menthol we use
is prepared according to these standards, so no matter how refreshing it is,
please do not use more than the recommended amount in the product.
Lastly, menthol is not just an ingredient that gives a cool feeling. Its efficacy has been observed for a long time from ancient times to modern medicine, and its pain relief effect through nerve receptors has been scientifically proven, so it is being used in various fields. In particular, the principle of reducing pain and making breathing cool through the TRPM8 receptor is not a simple folk remedy but is supported by medical achievements that led to the Nobel Prize. Today, it is widely used in pain relievers, digestive aids, hair loss relief products, oral hygiene products, and respiratory care products, and its safety is high enough to be recognized as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) by the US FDA and Europe. However, no matter how effective an ingredient is, overuse is prohibited. Please follow the directions and recommended dosage on the product to safely use the refreshing and healthy effects of menthol. Remember that it is not a simple fragrance, but a 'small but powerful ingredient' that is essential to our daily lives.
댓글
댓글 쓰기