Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Plant Sciences, Zoology & Evolution => Topic started by: Alandriel on 30/10/2007 20:02:00

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: Alandriel on 30/10/2007 20:02:00

[if this better belongs in a different forum please do zap it along... I could not make up my mind]

(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.3dchem.com%2Fimagesofmolecules%2FMenthol.jpg&hash=5be893399463866eba38571607240ea3)
This is menthol (I just found out....)

it comes from this
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tealand.com%2Fimages%2FPeppermint_OL.jpg&hash=1571fc46d05dbe02d875676778c86594)

.... and sometimes makes this
(https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww1.istockphoto.com%2Ffile_thumbview_approve%2F1196030%2F2%2Fistockphoto_1196030_peppermint_candies.jpg&hash=5b7fb505ea2bec40015e490f390e179e)

but I disgress..............


Menthol – synthetic or natural is widely used today e.g. in cough medicines (eases throat irritation), as an antipruritic, topical analgesic etc.

I know about menthol’s ability to chemically trigger cold-receptive sensors in the skin to produce a cooling sensation without an actual drop in temperature. Cool, aye (literally !) [;D]

But how does inhalation and or application of menthol work to have a decongestant action?

I’ve wondered many times and again tonight as I put a few drops in a bowl of hot water and stuck my head over it covered by a towel to ease my cold. It works – I know it does, but how exactly? Surely it's more complicated and interesting than just a simple trick of sensors.....

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: lyner on 31/10/2007 17:00:24

Might this get an answer in another forum?
I'd love to know more.

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: JimBob on 02/11/2007 01:09:59

I'll just ask again - why does the (menthol) loose its flavor on the bedpost over-night so someone will answer this question.

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: paul.fr on 02/11/2007 13:27:44

Menthol is supposed to be a mild anaesthetic, beyond that the answer i do not know.

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: Alandriel on 02/11/2007 15:50:25

Perhaps this will fare better in a different forum  [:)]

Dear resident mods where do you think shall its new residence be?
Where resides the highest probability to find an answer....

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: JimBob on 03/11/2007 01:51:22

As you wish, my dear, Presto!

Title: Menthol - just how does it work the way it does?
Post by: JimBob on 04/11/2007 03:02:19

OK - Who are you trying to fool. You already know the answer to this question - you answered this yourself, Alendriel. Or is senility setting in??

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=350.msg130084#msg130084

 [;D]

Your OK, we all do it.