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menthol (countable and uncountable, plural menthols) (chemistry) a cyclic monoterpene alcohol; the major component of the essential oil of peppermint; used in pharmaceutical preparations as an antitussive and antipruritic agent, as a nasal decongestant, and in menthol cigarettes.
The menthol crystallizes in cold temperatures, making it easy to extract from the essential oil for use by the commercial food, beverage, and medicine industries. However, peppermint is more effective when used in its whole state, as an integral part of the essential oil.