Menthol vs. Mint — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023
Menthol is a cooling compound derived from mint, an aromatic herb used in various culinary and medicinal applications.
Difference Between Menthol and Mint
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Menthol is a chemical compound extracted from mint plants or synthesized, known for its cooling sensation and use in medicinal products. Mint refers to the plant genus Mentha, renowned for its aromatic leaves and use in cooking, teas, and garnishes. While menthol is used as an active ingredient in many topical ointments for its cooling effect, mint leaves are broadly used fresh or dried for their flavor and aroma.
Mint plants are cultivated for their fragrant leaves and contain natural menthol, especially in species like peppermint. Menthol, however, is isolated for its specific sensory effects, which trigger a cool sensation without actual temperature change. Mint is enjoyed in culinary contexts, from Middle Eastern tabbouleh to mint juleps in the American South, whereas menthol is valued in lozenges for its throat-soothing properties.
Menthol's use extends to cigarettes and inhalers, providing a characteristic cooling sensation, while mint is a staple in herbal medicine and culinary traditions worldwide. The versatility of mint as a plant is evident in its wide range of species and flavors, from spearmint's sweetness to peppermint's pungency, contrasting with the singular, targeted use of menthol in consumer goods.
Processing menthol involves distillation or chemical synthesis, but growing mint is often as simple as planting it in a garden or pot. Mint plants also play a role in ecological balance, attracting pollinators, while menthol is predominantly seen in commercial, non-ecological contexts.
In summary, menthol is a specific substance with a distinct physical effect, and mint is the broader category of plant that offers a variety of uses beyond the sensory experience provided by menthol.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A cooling compound from mint oils.
A genus of aromatic plants.
Sensation
Cooling effect on skin and mucous membranes.
Fresh, aromatic flavor and scent.
Use in Products
Medicinal, confectionary, and personal care items.
Culinary dishes, beverages, and herbal remedies.
Form
Crystals, oils, or included in products.
Fresh leaves, dried herbs, essential oils.
Natural Source
Concentrated in certain mint species like peppermint.
A wide variety of plant species within the Mentha genus.
Compare with Definitions
Menthol
Used in balms for its soothing properties.
He applied a menthol balm to his sore muscles.
Mint
Indicative of freshness and cleanliness in flavor profiles.
The toothpaste left a minty freshness in his mouth.
Menthol
A mint-derived compound providing a cool sensation.
The menthol in the cream relieved the itchiness.
Mint
A place where the coins of a country are manufactured by authority of the government.
Menthol
A compound that activates cold-sensitive receptors.
Menthol triggers a cool feeling when inhaled.
Mint
A place or source of manufacture or invention.
Menthol
An ingredient in many cough suppressants.
The lozenges' menthol helped calm her cough.
Mint
An abundant amount, especially of money.
Menthol
Found in various mint plant species.
Menthol is naturally found in peppermint leaves.
Mint
A member of the mint family.
Menthol
Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from the oils of corn mint, peppermint, or other mints. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above.
Mint
Any of various rhizomatous plants of the genus Mentha of the mint family, characteristically having nearly regular white or purple flowers. Some species are cultivated for their aromatic oil and foliage.
Menthol
A crystalline alcohol with a minty taste and odour, found in peppermint and other natural oils. It is used as a flavouring and in decongestants and analgesics.
Mint
The leaves of some of these plants, used as a seasoning.
Menthol
A fragrant white crystalline organic compound, C10H20O, obtained from peppermint oil or synthesized. It is used in perfumes, in cigarettes, as a mild topical anesthetic, and as a mint flavoring.
Mint
Any of various similar or related plants, such as the stone mint.
Menthol
(chemistry) a cyclic monoterpene alcohol; the major component of the essential oil of peppermint; used in pharmaceutical preparations as an antitussive and antipruritic agent, as a nasal decongestant, and in menthol cigarettes
Mint
A candy flavored with natural or artificial mint flavoring.
Menthol
A menthol cigarette.
Mint
To produce (money) by stamping metal; coin.
Menthol
A white, crystalline, aromatic substance (C10H20O) resembling camphor, extracted from oil of peppermint (Mentha); - called also mint camphor or peppermint camphor. It has the peculiar effect on skin and membranes of making them feel cool, and is used in liqueurs, confections, cigarettes, cough drops and perfumes, among other things.
Mint
To invent or fabricate
A phrase that was minted for one occasion.
Menthol
A lotion containing menthol which gives it a mint flavoring
Mint
Undamaged as if freshly minted
The painting was in mint condition.
Mint
A building or institution where money (originally, only coins) is produced under government licence.
Mint
(informal) A vast sum of money; (by extension) a large amount of something.
That house is worth a mint.
It must have cost a mint to produce!
To make a mint
Mint
(figuratively) Any place regarded as a source of unlimited supply; the supply itself.
Mint
Any plant in the genus Mentha in the family Lamiaceae, typically aromatic with square stems.
Mint
The flavouring of the plant, either a sweet, a jelly or sauce.
Mint
Any plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae.
Mint
A green colour, like that of mint.
Mint
A mint-flavored candy, often eaten to sweeten the smell of the breath.
Mint
Intent, purpose; an attempt, try; effort, endeavor.
Mint
(transitive) To reproduce (coins), usually en masse, under licence.
Mint
To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to fashion.
Mint
To create a crypto token.
Mint
To try, attempt; take aim.
Mint
To try, attempt, endeavor; to take aim at; to try to hit; to purpose.
Mint
To hint; suggest; insinuate.
Mint
(with condition) Like new.
In mint condition
Mint
In near-perfect condition; uncirculated.
Mint
(philately) Unused with original gum; as issued originally.
Mint
Very good.
Mint
Attractive; beautiful; handsome.
Mint
Of a green colour, like that of the mint plant.
Mint
The name of several aromatic labiate plants, mostly of the genus Mentha, yielding odoriferous essential oils by distillation. See Mentha.
Mint
A place where money is coined by public authority.
Mint
Any place regarded as a source of unlimited supply; the supply itself.
A mint of phrases in his brain.
Mint
A large quantity of money; as, to make a mint in stock trading.
Mint
To make by stamping, as money; to coin; to make and stamp into money.
Mint
To invent; to forge; to fabricate; to fashion.
Titles . . . of such natures as may be easily minted.
Mint
Like new; in brand-new condition; unworn, as a coin recently made at a mint{1}; as, he had a '53 Cadillac in mint condition.
Mint
Uncirculated; in the same condition as when it was freshly coined at the mint{1}.
Mint
(often followed by `of') a large number or amount or extent;
A batch of letters
A deal of trouble
A lot of money
He made a mint on the stock market
It must have cost plenty
Mint
Any north temperate plant of the genus Mentha with aromatic leaves and small mauve flowers
Mint
The leaves of a mint plant used fresh or candied
Mint
A candy that is flavored with a mint oil
Mint
A plant where money is coined by authority of the government
Mint
Form by stamping, punching, or printing;
Strike coins
Strike a medal
Mint
As if new;
In mint condition
Mint
A herb known for its fragrant leaves and culinary use.
She garnished the dessert with fresh mint.
Mint
A plant used for its aromatic properties in products.
The room smelled of mint from the essential oil diffuser.
Mint
A term for something in pristine condition.
The comic book was in mint condition, very valuable.
Mint
To produce coins or currency.
The government authorized the mint to produce new quarters.
Common Curiosities
Are menthol cigarettes different from regular cigarettes?
Yes, menthol cigarettes contain menthol for a cooling effect.
Is mint the same as peppermint?
Mint is the general name for plants in the Mentha genus, while peppermint is a specific type of mint known for its high menthol content.
Can I use mint leaves for a cooling sensation like menthol?
Mint leaves have a mild cooling effect but are not as strong as pure menthol.
Is menthol safe to consume?
In small amounts, such as in candies and therapeutic products, menthol is generally safe.
What is menthol?
Menthol is a natural compound from mint plants, often used for its cooling sensation.
Can you grow menthol?
You cannot grow menthol, but you can grow mint plants which produce menthol.
Does mint have other benefits besides flavor?
Yes, mint has digestive benefits and contains antioxidants.
Can I make menthol at home from mint?
It is not practical to extract menthol at home; it requires a distillation process.
Do mint and menthol taste the same?
Menthol has a concentrated cooling taste, while mint is more aromatic and less intense.
Does mint grow year-round?
Mint is a perennial and can grow year-round in the right conditions.
Can menthol be used for headaches?
Yes, menthol is sometimes used in headache balms for its soothing effects.
Is menthol only found in mint?
Menthol is most commonly derived from mint but can also be synthetically made.
How do I use fresh mint from my garden?
Fresh mint can be used in teas, as a garnish, or in recipes for flavor.
Can I use menthol for skincare?
Yes, in controlled amounts, menthol is used in skincare for a cooling effect.
Is chewing mint leaves good for you?
Chewing mint leaves can be refreshing and has some oral health benefits.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
