All About Menthol Crystals

Menthol is another name for mint. Solid crystals derived from distilling and freezing mint oil are known as menthol crystals. Because these small, brittle, clear/white crystals have all the benefits of mint in a highly concentrated form, a small amount enhances health in many ways. Read below for more information on USP ingredient supplier Bell Chem’s pure menthol crystals.

Medicinal Uses

Menthol crystals are highly soluble in alcohol and oils, both solutions that form the basis of many cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This includes toothpaste, mouthwash, decongestants, and analgesics to name a few. 

When ingested, menthol crystals’ antiemetic properties relieve nausea, tension headaches, and dizziness. Its antispasmodic tendencies reduce stress, stimulate energy levels, and aid in sleep. When added as an ingredient in lozenges, the anesthetic effect alleviates sore throats while, as an antitussive, it suppresses the tendency to cough. Menthol crystals are a main component in therapies to soothe breathing difficulties, relieve congestion, maintain immunity health, and quell fever.  

Skincare Benefits

Mint has long been recognized for its cooling effect when applied topically. This sensation is due to its ability to activate the skin’s hot/cold sensors. It soothes, cools, moisturizes, counters dryness, alleviates dark spots, and reduces inflammation. Because of its small, crystalline structure, it also acts as a mechanical exfoliant for the skin. Lip balm, soap, and lotion are often enhanced with menthol crystals.

Hair Products

Health benefits of menthol crystals also include its application in hair products to strengthen and repair hair strands, enhance growth, help deter nits and lice, maintain an adequate production of natural oil, and as an overall scalp and hair cleanser. Menthol crystals are regularly incorporated into shampoos to remove dandruff buildup. 

Other Uses

The pungent odor of menthol is a natural, organic insect repellent, which can help when you’re outdoors. Inside the home, air fresheners and room sprays often depend on menthol crystals for a clean smell. They also add a burst of flavor to foods and beverages.

Bell Chem is a USP ingredient supplier based in Longwood, FL (just north of Orlando) with hundreds of products stocked in their 50,000+ square-foot warehouse, including menthol crystals. You can expect the highest quality products, expedited shipping options for maximum efficiency, and unrivaled personalized customer service. Let our knowledgeable and friendly customer service representatives and accounting staff personalize all your needs by either calling 407-339-BELL (2355) or by sending us an online message.

Menthol Crystals in Cosmetics and Pharmacy

When consumers think of menthol, a cool, refreshing feeling of fresh mint immediately comes to mind, and with good reason: menthol is a derivative of corn mint (Mentha arvensis) or other various mint plants. It causes the skin to react in much the same manner as capsaicin, except cold receptors are activated rather than heat receptors. Since neither menthol nor capsaicin physically changes the temperature of the area they touch, they can be used in ice or hot packs, or together in products such as Icy Hot. Beauty care chemical supplier, Bell Chem, explains this versatile chemical:  

• Menthol crystallizes at -22°C; the new product is known as menthol crystals. These crystals readily dissolve in alcohol or water. Because they have been concentrated, only a minute amount of menthol crystals are necessary for most applications.

• Menthol crystals activate kappa-opioid receptors in the body, and thereby act as an analgesic, a substance that relieves pain. Voltage-sensitive sodium channels also react to menthol; menthol crystals reduce neural activity by raising the action potential in a neuron. Muscles move less frequently and experience less pain, which is why it is often used as an antispasmodic during surgical procedures involving smooth muscles.

• Menthol crystals are an ingredient in many cosmetics because of their soothing coolness and brisk, refreshing smell. They are found in toothpaste and mouthwash to combat hallitosis, shampoo and conditioner promoting “natural ingredients”, perfumes with a rose fragrance since it enhances that specific floral odor, and shaving cream to alleviate razor burn.

• The medicinal properties of menthol crystals place it among analgesics and antipruritics in pharmaceutical products. Salves, lip balms, medicated creams, sore throat sprays and lozenges, decongestants, liniments, compresses, cooling gels and medicated oils all contain menthol crystals.

Call the beauty care chemical supplier professionals at Bell Chem at (407) 339-2355 (BELL) to learn more about menthol crystals or any of our wide variety of chemicals for health, the home, or industrial use. You can contact us online.

Menthol Crystals

Menthol crystals are produced naturally through mentha arvensis – the primary species of mint. Mentha Arvensis grows in the Uttar Pradesh region in India. Menthol crystals are cooling, refreshing, and have a strong minty aroma. Menthol crystals are best stored in place with no humidity at a temperature of about 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Because menthol crystals are very concentrated, only a tiny amount of them is needed within products. Menthol crystals are excellent for use in products that help relieve muscular aches, coughing, congestion, poor hygiene, etc. Menthol is a chemical component in many consumer products including:

•    Non-prescription products for short-term relief of minor sore throat or mouth irritation such as cough drops, oral throat sprays, throat lozenges, and lip balms.

•    Oral hygiene products like mouthwash, toothpaste, and chewing gum.

•    Decongestants for chest and sinus pressure such as Vicks Vaporub and Mentholatum.

•    Perfumes that highlight floral notes (especially the rose scent).

At Bell Chem in Orlando, we offer menthol crystals as one of our chemical products. In addition to nutritional products and personal raw care materials in Orlando, we stock many highly specialized botanical ingredients as well as hard to find technical grade chemicals and custom compounds. Call us at 407-339-BELL (2355) for a full list of products.