Essential oils are extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants that are natural concentrated aromatic hydrophobic liquid products obtained by steam distillation or solvent extraction. They contain several chemical compounds exhibiting different biological properties and activities.
Mints are famous aromatic and medicinal herb that are used in traditional and folk medicines in the world for the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Mints contain volatile components, flavonoids, organic acids, quinones, such as for the digestive system, central nervous system, respiratory system. They were used as an antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory or anesthetic material.
Mentha oil (mint essential oil) and menthol are important ingredients in a wide range of cosmetics including shampoo products and perfumes, as well as in pharmaceutical preparations and aromatherapy. The extracts and essential oils of Mentha species have displayed moderate cytotoxic effects on various cancer cell lines used for screening.
The essential oil is used as flavoring component in a wide range of household and oral products. Therefore, mint essential oil is widely used to flavor breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth rinses, toothpastes, chewing gums, desserts, pan (betel) masalas, candies and mint chocolates.
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Sources:
1- Ravindran P.N., Kallupurackal J.A. (2012), Handbook of “Herbs and Spices”, 2nd Edition, Volume 1
2- Tsai M.L (et. Al.) (2013), “Chemical Composition and Biological Properties of Essential Oils of Two Mint Species, Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, pp. 577–578
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