The United States Pharmacopœia describes oil of peppermint as “a
colorless liquid, having the characteristic strong odor of peppermint
and a strongly aromatic pungent taste, followed by a sensation of cold
when air is drawn into the mouth.” It is largely used in medicine,
internally as a stimulant and carminative, and externally to relieve
neuralgic and rheumatic conditions. It is also used for flavoring and
scenting confectionery, cordials, and cosmetics. There is a slight
difference in the odor of white and black peppermint oil, the black
being more pungent and less agreeable in fragrance than the white,
which has a much finer odor, but, as already indicated, the white mint
is less hardy than the black and yields a smaller quantity of oil.
The Japanese oil of peppermint, which, as pointed out elsewhere in
these pages, is obtained from a different species of mint than that
which produces the true oil of peppermint, is very inferior to the last
named. It has a very unpleasant odor and a bitter, disagreeable taste,
but it is a heavy oil and contains a higher percentage of menthol and,
being a very much cheaper oil, it is liable to be used as an adulterant
of true peppermint oil.
Menthol, formerly known as peppermint camphor, is the solid constituent
of oil of peppermint, obtained by subjecting the distilled oil to
an exceedingly low temperature by means of a freezing mixture. Its
properties are about the same as those of oil of peppermint, only
somewhat intensified. It is very largely made up into cones or pencils,
which furnish a popular remedy, to be applied externally or inhaled,
for the relief of headache, neuralgia, catarrh, asthma, and kindred
affections. It is also largely employed in other forms of medication.
The name “pipmenthol” has been applied to the menthol obtained from the
American oil, to distinguish it from the Japanese menthol. Pipmenthol
is said to have a distinct odor of peppermint, while the Japanese
menthol has but a slight peppermint odor.
EXPORT OF PEPPERMINT OIL.
The exports of peppermint oil during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1904, amounted to 42,939 pounds, valued at $124,728. Germany and the
United Kingdom were the largest consumers, the former receiving 22,372
pounds, valued at $65,505, and the latter 11,558 pounds, worth $31,798.
The following tables show the export of peppermint oil, by countries,
for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1904, and the quantities and values
of peppermint oil exported for a period of ten years, from July 1,
1894, to June 30, 1904, inclusive:
_Exports of peppermint oil, by countries, for the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1904._[6]
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