Commodity scenario: mentha oil

摘要

Mentha oil is obtained by steam distillation of Mentha arvensis leaves. Mentha oil and its constituents and derivatives are used in food, pharmaceutical and perfumery and flavouring industry. Menthol is the main constituent of mentha oil and slow cooling through refrigeration, crystallization, centrifugation and drying is done to obtain it. It is used in the manufacture of lozenges, toothpastes, pain balms, cold balms etc. Mentha is widely cultivated in India and its leaves are used in making sauces/chatni in most households.