Found in Vicks VapoRub, This Substance Powerfully Affects Health

If you’ve ever used Vicks VapoRub, or Ben Gay, or anything that has the distinct aroma these two medicines have, then you’re familiar with menthol, as it’s the active ingredient in both.

Menthol is something that we can all benefit from using more of as an alternative to pharmaceuticals.

Why is that?

Well, as I’ll show you, this natural produced healing agent can powerfully impact health.

Many think of it as a “cooling compound,” and that’s really not a bad way of thinking about it.

And yet, beyond cooling muscles, it can do so much more.

What is Menthol?

Like many plant-based therapies, we didn’t just recently discover menthol.

Menthol has been used in traditional medicine and modern integrative health practices for a long time.

The version of menthol we use now is extracted primarily from mint plants, such as peppermint (Mentha piperita) and cornmint (Mentha arvensis), and is found in their essential oils.

But before it was extracted, the ancients used it in its pure form.

We have reports that, as far back as 1500 BC, mint was used in Egypt as a remedy for digestive issues.

Not that long after the Greeks and Romans started using it as a form of medicine. They pulverized mint and released its oil, then applied it to headaches, inflammation, and respiratory complaints.

It is important to note that these applications relied on whole-plant preparations; however, the compound menthol itself wasn’t isolated until 1771 in Japan, where it was extracted from Mentha arvensis (cornmint).

Japanese traditional medicine had already been using menthol-rich mints for colds and gastrointestinal discomfort.

In the late 19th century, European chemists began synthesizing menthol, making it more widely available for medicinal use.

This ushered in its modern era as a key ingredient in over-the-counter balms, cough drops, and inhalers.

Over the past 150 years, menthol has become firmly established in both conventional medicine and integrative health, valued for its cooling, analgesic, decongestant, and sensory-enhancing properties.

It is worth noting that while menthol occurs naturally, it can also be synthetically produced to meet the growing demand in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and therapeutics.

I don’t believe the synthetic form is “bad,” if compared to natural forms, as they’re identical in chemical composition.

If you are able to find natural therapeutics with menthol in it and are comfortable paying the higher price, more power to you.

Ultimately, you should realize that either version is likely to appear in topical creams, lozenges, inhalers, balms, and essential oils, where it acts as an analgesic, decongestant, flavoring agent, and even a counterirritant.

Understanding that allows me to show you how you can use menthol to feel better (and yes, it really does work).

Top 5 Health Benefits of Menthol

Menthol's most well-known property is its ability to create a sensation of coolness by activating TRPM8 receptors in the skin and mucous membranes.

This is why people turn to medicines like Ben Gay to relieve muscle tension.

If you’ve ever used Ben Gay or Vicks VapoRub, you know you can really feel it going to work.

Additionally, here are the five most evidence-supported benefits of menthol for human health, accompanied by research-backed links.

1 - Natural Pain Relief and Muscle Relaxation:

Anyone who has ever worked out to the point where their muscles feel like they are locked in a vice has likely turned to a menthol-based solution to improve function and dull the pain.

That’s because, as I mentioned above, menthol is widely recognized for its topical analgesic properties.

When applied to the skin, it stimulates cold receptors and temporarily overrides pain signals, helping to relieve muscle aches, joint pain, and minor injuries. This makes menthol a key ingredient in many over-the-counter products, such as Biofreeze, Icy Hot, and Tiger Balm.

A 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics showed that menthol significantly improved pain thresholds and reduced discomfort in subjects with chronic musculoskeletal pain. 

Menthol-based therapies are a reliable option for improving pain tolerance and resuming your workout routine.

2 - Eases Congestion and Promotes Easier Breathing:

Menthol is a common component in decongestant inhalers, rubs, and lozenges.

Many people believe it helps to clear mucus and facilitate better breath, but it doesn’t.

Instead, it works by creating a subjective feeling of nasal airflow, making breathing feel easier.

Menthol interacts with cold-sensitive receptors in the nasal passages, helping to relieve sinus pressure, throat irritation, and mild bronchial congestion. 

A study published in Rhinology found that menthol can improve the sensation of airflow even without physically altering nasal resistance.

This is why products like Vicks VapoRub help so much.

The vapors reach the airways and give you the sensation of improved breathing, which can actually enhance breath control.

3 - Soothes Irritated Skin and Reduces Itchiness:

While it may seem counterintuitive, applying something that feels like it burns (Ben Gay does feel like it burns) to your skin can actually help soothe irritation; that is what many dermatologists use it for.

This is because menthol’s cooling and anti-itch effects are highly valued for helping with conditions such as eczema, minor burns, insect bites, and contact dermatitis, which helps calm itching by desensitizing sensory nerves.

A clinical review in Dermatitis reported that menthol-containing formulations were effective in reducing pruritus (itching), particularly in patients with itching related to chronic kidney disease.

4 -  Supports Digestive Health and Reduces IBS Symptoms:

Pretty much anyone who’s dealt with chronic stomach issues knows that drinking peppermint tea helps reduce stomach upset.

However, you may not be aware that there are ways to increase the amount of menthol in your system, such as through enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules, which can help alleviate symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), including bloating, cramping, and gas.

This is because menthol helps relax smooth muscles in the gastrointestinal tract, thereby reducing spasms.

A meta-analysis published in the BMJ concluded that peppermint oil is a safe and effective short-term treatment for IBS.

Clearly, there are reasons to heal IBS and other stomach issues through diet and other means, but if you deal with occasional bouts of IBS, using menthol is better than going the pharmaceutical route.

5 -  Mild Cognitive and Sensory Stimulation:

This one was surprising even to me, but I understand how it works.

Menthol can play a role in enhancing alertness and reducing fatigue.

When inhaled, its invigorating scent can improve focus and reduce mental fatigue, thanks to its effects on the central nervous system.

A study in the International Journal of Neuroscience demonstrated that menthol exposure via aromatherapy had stimulating effects on cognition and mood, increasing attention and alertness during prolonged tasks.

You can keep a small amount of peppermint oil near your workstation and inhale it occasionally to receive a mental boost.

Any Warnings For Menthol?

 Menthol is generally safe, but it does have some potential side effects.

It can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions, especially in people with sensitive skin. 

In infants and young children, menthol vapors can lead to breathing problems and should be avoided. Swallowing large amounts of menthol can be toxic, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, or even more serious effects.

It can also irritate the eyes and mucous membranes, so care should be taken when applying it. People with asthma, pregnant or breastfeeding women, young children, and those taking certain medications should use menthol cautiously or speak with a healthcare provider before use.