How does menthol work as a decongestant?

Ah, nothing clears the sinuses quite like a chilly blast of menthol. But how does it work? Stick around and we’ll dive into the science that powers this minty miracle.

What Is Menthol?

Menthol is an organic compound with a distinct peppermint-like scent and flavor. It’s found naturally in plants like peppermint and spearmint, but can also be synthesized in labs for commercial use.

One interesting thing about menthol is that it creates sensations of both coldness and warmth at the same time. That’s why applying it to your skin or inhaling it through your nose can make you feel simultaneously cool and tingly.

What Causes Congestion?

Before we get into how menthol helps decongestion, let’s explore what causes congestion in the first place.

When our nasal passages are functioning normally, air flows smoothly through them as we breathe. But when something irritates the tissues lining those passages—like allergens or viruses—the body responds by producing more mucus to try and flush out the intruders.

The excess mucus makes everything inside our noses swell up: blood vessels dilate (get bigger), cells produce more fluids than usual, etc. This inflammation restricts airflow even further, leading to feelings of stuffiness, sneezing, coughing—all those fun symptoms associated with being “stuffed up.”

How Menthol Helps Clear Congestion

Now that we’re all on the same page about what causes congestion let me introduce you to my friend: menthol!

Menthol Acts as a Vasodilator

One key way that menthol helps clear congestion is by acting as a vasodilator—that means “widening blood vessels.” When applied topically or inhaled through your nose, menthols encourage blood vessel relaxation which increases the amount of space available for air to flow more freely.

Menthol Acts on Nerves

Another way menthol works is by acting directly on the nerves in our nasal passages. By targeting specific receptor types that sense warmth and coldness,

menthols create a sensation of cooling that can help soothe inflamed tissues and allow us to breathe easier.

It’s like tricking your nose into thinking it’s enjoying a brisk morning walk through the cool forest instead of being stuffed up with snot.

How Effective Is Menthol?

Okay, so we know how menthol works but how well does it work?

Well, research suggests that menthol can be an effective decongestant for some people. In one study from 2013, researchers found that a topical application of peppermint oil (which contains menthols) helped reduce congestion symptoms in participants who were recovering from upper respiratory tract infections.

Another study published in 2020 showed similar results: researchers found that inhaling vaporized peppermint oil (again, containing menthols) improved airflow through participants’ noses compared to those who didn’t receive any treatment.

Of course not everyone will respond to menthol treatments the same way—our bodies are complex systems after all—but there’s certainly evidence suggesting it could be helpful for many people dealing with congestion issues.

Other Benefits Of Menthols

So far we’ve talked about how menthols can treat congestion but they have other applications too:

  • Pain relief: Menthols are often used topically as an analgesic (pain reliever). They’re believed to work by blocking pain signals from reaching the brain.
  • Insect repellent: Certain insects don’t like mints scent – this makes them useful as part of natural insecticides.
  • Mouth Freshener: Thanks to their fresh minty flavor,
    they’re commonly used in mouthwashes and breath-freshening products
    .

How To Use Menthol For Decongestion

If you’re curious about trying menthols to help clear up congestion, there are a few different ways that you can use them:

  • Inhalers: You can find over-the-counter inhalers containing menthols in most drugstores. Simply insert the inhaler into one nostril, close off the other side with your finger, and inhale deeply.
  • Rubs/balms: As mentioned earlier, applying topical balms or rubs containing menthols directly onto your chest, neck, throat or nose can relieve congestion too.
  • Essential Oils: Menthols essential oils vaporised in hot water is also very effective.

Of course if you have any pre-existing medical conditions it’s always best to ask a doctor whether using menthol is safe for you.

Conclusion

So there we have it—menthol might just be an effective tool for clearing out those pesky sinuses! Just don’t let its ubiquitous presence in everything from gum to shampoo fool you—this little compound packs a punch.

Now go back and skim through this article for all of those juicy bolded phrases I threw in—you know they gotcha good 😉

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