Mentha oil is derived from a plant named Mentha arvensis or common mint. Mentha arvensis is a European mint herb that is adopted by the United States. It is a long lasting, quick growing, hairy leaved herb that can even attain a height of 1.5 meters if favorable conditions are provided. ‘Mentha’, actually, is a Latin name for ‘mint’. With the help of steam distillation process, mentha oil is obtained from the fresh leaves of that plant followed by the separation of menthol from it.

The origination of mint is not known to the people now, but it is said that it was cultivated in Europe in the ancient times.

Commercially, Japan started producing mint around 1870. During that time, it was called Japanese mint and Japan was the leading country in this field. After the 2nd world war was over, Brazil was looked upon by some Japanese producers as mint was found in the Brazilian forests and they started producing mint in Brazil also. Likewise, the production of mint spread over other South American countries too. The production of mint was also taken over other countries of the world like China and India around 1960. In fact, initially India was an importer of menthol but after the green revolution in 1986, mint took off as an agricultural commodity.

Mentha oil is extremely useful in a wide variety of industries namely food industry, pharmaceutical industry and also in perfumery and flavoring industries. Also, the constituents and derivatives of mentha oil like mint and menthol are used widely.

Menthol is the major derivative product of mentha oil. Majority of the oil is converted into menthol, which is so important that it is even considered as one the basic uses of mint oil. It is extracted through a complex process that involves cooling of the oil slowly, which turns the oil into crystal form and then it is centrifuged and dried to attain a yellow colored substance called menthol. This oil like substance is often required by the medicine industry and it is used in balms, cough drops, inhalers, toothpastes, mouthwashes etc. Around 40% to 50% menthol and around 50% to 60% dementholized oil is obtained from mentha oil in the production process of menthol. Dementholized oil is used in confectioneries and peppermint oil.

India is the leading producer of mentha oil in the world with around 14000 metric tons production in 2003. China and Brazil follow India in the list of major producers on 2nd and 3rd place. Also, India leads the mentha oil exporting countries with around 3000 tons exports annually. Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, UK, USA are some of the importing countries of mentha oil.

The consumption figures of menthol show that annual world consumption of menthol is 9600 metric tons. India is the largest consumer of menthol with a figure of about 3100 metric tons in 2003.

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.

India is the largest producer and exporter of menthe oil in the world. At present the major producers of mint oil in the world are India, China, Brazil and the US.

Mentha arvensis is cultivated in India in the semi- temperate regions in the foothills of Himalayas in Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The all-India area under mentha in the country is estimated at about 1,25,000 hectares.

India at present produces about 15,000 tonnes of mint oil and exports 3,000 tonnes which earns it foreign exchange worth Rs. 100 crores annually.

India exports different types of mint oils to a number of countries including Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Japan, UK, USA, etc. these varieties include the Japanese mint oil (derived from Mentha Arvensis), peppermint oil (Mentha Piperita), dementholised Japanese mint oil, spear mint oil (Mentha Spicata), water mint oil (Mentha Aquatic), horsemint oil (Mentha Sylvestries), Bergamont oil (Mentha Citrate) and still others.