What Is Menthol Cream?
Menthol cream is an over-the-counter product used to relieve minor aches and pains caused by arthritis, muscle pain, and muscle soreness. The cream is made from menthol, a compound found naturally in peppermint oil as well as other mint oils. It can also be created synthetically. The cream is applied to the skin over the affected areas and will relieve minor pain for short periods of time. The compound menthol can trigger receptors found in the skin which then create a cooling sensation in the area. It tricks the body’s receptors without actually changing the person’s body temperature. For this reason, it can be found in certain other creams, such as cool menthol shaving cream. The cooling sensation soothes the skin and helps reduce irritation after shaving. It can also be found in lip balm, as its cooling effect soothes chapped lips.
