Field mint

Plant species belonging to the mint family (Mentha). The essential mint oil (Menthae arvensis aetherolum) is obtained from the herb of the field mint by means of steam distillation. The mint oil is extracted from the primary menthol-rich thick oil (menthol content up to 90 percent) by various chemical processes. Field mint is used to obtain natural menthol for the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.

Phytotherapeutically, it is not the plant itself that is used, but the essential oil obtained from the flowering herb, partially freed from menthol (mint oil - Menthae arvensis aetheroleum partim mentholum depletum).

Field mint is found in almost all climate zones. It is a perennial herbaceous plant that reaches a maximum height of 40 to 45 cm. The leaves are stalked, oval in shape and often hairy. Its purple flowers grow at the starting points of the leaves directly on the stem. Flowering time: June to October.

The main chemical component of mint oil is menthol. Mint oil contains approx. 30 to 50 % menthol, approx. 17 to 35 % menthone, approx. 5 to 13 % isomenthone and approx. 1.5 to 7 % methyl acetate, as well as other terpenes. In higher dosages the oil has an anaesthetic and analgesic effect. The effect corresponds to that of (real) peppermint oil.

Menthol acts on the cold menthol receptor (TRPM8), therefore the oil has an (apparently) cooling effect, but the body temperature is not affected. This effect is comparable to the heating effect of capsaicin.

Action: The main chemical component of mint oil is menthol. Mint oil contains approx. 30 to 50 % menthol, approx. 17 to 35 % menthone, approx. 5 to 13 % isomenthone and approx. 1.5 to 7 % methyl acetate, as well as other terpenes. In higher dosages the oil has an anaesthetic and analgesic effect. The effect corresponds to that of (real) peppermint oil. Menthol also acts at the menthol receptor (TRPM8) cold menthol receptor. This explains why the oil has an (apparently) cooling effect (effect of the sensation of cold in the oral mucosa when peppermint is sucked), but the body temperature is not affected. This effect is comparable to the heating effect of capsaicin.

Application of the oil:

• Internal use for meteorism, functional stomach, intestinal and biliary problems;
• Inhalation for chronic bronchitis.
• External use for headaches and to relieve the symptoms of colds.
• Mint oil acts as a repellent due to its high menthol content (insect repellent).
• Rubbing mint oil into tense muscle areas relieves the symptoms. A drop of mint oil applied to the temples can relieve headaches.

Medical use of the whole plant:

• Field mint has antibacterial and antifungal properties. It also has proven effects as an anti-inflammatory agent (the active ingredients are extracted by boiling the leaves and then filtering them out with a carrier -mint tea-). Acermint tea helps with gastrointestinal complaints and colds, has a calming, pain-relieving and antispasmodic effect. For external application, tea (compresses) can also be used.
• Field mint tea has a disinfecting effect.
• An anticarcinogenic effect of extracts of field mint is suspected via the effect on the menthol receptor (see there).

Cosmetic applications:

• Mentha arvensis extract (INCI), essential oil obtained by steam distillation from the flowering herb
• Mentha arvensis oil (INCI), an extract from the leaves and shoots of the plant
• Mentha arvensis powder (INCI), a powder made from the leaves of the plant

1. Baliga MS et al.(2010) Radioprotective potential of mint: a brief review. J Cancer Res Ther 6:255-262
2. Johnson M et al. (2011) Antibacterial activity of leaves and inter-nodal callus extracts of Mentha arvensis L. Asian Pac J Trop Med 4:196-200.
3. Salin O et al. (2011) Corn mint (Mentha arvensis) extract diminishes acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in vitro and in vivo. J Agric Food Chem 59:12836-12842
4. Santos KK etg al.(2011) Anti-Candida activity of Mentha arvensis and Turnera ulmifolia. J Med Food 15:322-324
5. https://arzneipflanzenlexikon.info/minze.php