Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from corn mint, peppermint, or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in colour, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above.
Menthol occurs naturally in peppermint oil (along with a little menthone, the ester menthyl acetate and other compounds), Natural menthol is obtained by freezing peppermint oil. The resultant crystals of menthol are then separated by filtration.