Menthol, << MEHN thol, >> is a soft, white substance with a mint odor and a fresh, cool taste. It is widely used as an ingredient in cough and cold medicines, perfumes, and cigarettes. Menthol is found in oil of the leaves of the peppermint plant.
Menthol is a differential anesthetic–that is, a substance that causes the loss of some sensations. Therefore, it can be used as a salve that reduces itching. However, menthol also stimulates the receptor (receiver) cells in the skin that normally respond to cold. Thus, it gives a sensation of coolness that is unrelated to body temperature.
