Japanese Oil, also known as
Peppermint Oil,
Oil of Poho and
Colpermin is a steam-distilled,
volatile oil from the fresh
Mentha Piperita (
peppermint) plant.
The oil is the liquid portion remaining after the separation of
menthol from the oil of
Mentha arvensis L. (
demetholised peppermint oil).
It contains not less than 50% total
menthol including 5-9% esters (menthyl acetate; menthyl isovalerate, menthone, inactive pinene, l-limonene, cadinene, phellandrene, some acetaldehyde, isovaleric aldehyde, amyl alcohol, and dimethyl sulfide)
Whew!.
It is a
colourless to
pale yellow liquid with a strong, penetrating peppermint
odour and pungent taste.
Uses:
For flavouring
ill-tasting medicines, tooth powders,
toothpastes,
mouthwashes, liqueurs.
Peppermint oil is used to relieve the symptoms of
irritable bowel syndrome.
Sources:
www.essentialoil.com.np/menthaar.htm
www.goodnessdirect.co.uk/cgi-local/detail/919843.html
www.academyhealth.com/peppermint.html