Mentha Citrata, also known as Lemon Mint, is a plant that is often referenced as Mentha x piperita in scientific contexts. This hybrid plant is valued for its distinctive lemon-mint aroma and is used in various applications for its aromatic and potential therapeutic properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure:

Citral: A major component responsible for the lemony fragrance.
Menthol: Contributes a cooling effect and minty aroma.
Menthone: Adds to the minty and aromatic profile.
Other Terpenes: Includes various terpenes and essential oils that contribute to its overall aromatic and potential therapeutic properties.

Physical Properties:

Appearance: Green, aromatic leaves and stems.
Odor: Distinctive lemon-mint aroma due to the presence of citral and menthol.
Solubility: Components are soluble in both water and oil, depending on their nature.
pH: Generally neutral to slightly acidic, similar to other mint plants.

Production Process:

Cultivation: Mentha Citrata is cultivated in suitable climates to ensure the production of high-quality leaves and stems.
Harvesting: The plant parts are harvested when they are most aromatic and have the highest concentration of essential oils.
Processing: The leaves and stems may be dried or used fresh for various extraction processes, including steam distillation or solvent extraction, to capture the essential oils and active compounds.
Formulation: Extracts or essential oils are incorporated into cosmetic, therapeutic, or flavoring products.

Applications:

Cosmetics and Skincare: Used in products like creams, lotions, and serums for its refreshing and aromatic properties.
Hair Care Products: Included in shampoos and conditioners for its invigorating and conditioning effects.
Aromatherapy: Employed for its pleasant lemon-mint aroma in various aromatherapy products and diffusers.
Flavoring: Used in culinary applications and beverages for its unique lemon-mint flavor.

Environmental and Safety Considerations:

Environmental Impact: Sustainable cultivation practices are important to minimize environmental impact and ensure high-quality plant material.
Safety: Generally considered safe for external use and consumption. As with all plant-based ingredients, individual intolerance or allergic reactions cannot be entirely excluded.

INCI:


Fragrance. It plays a very important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability. It is able to create a perceptible pleasant odour, masking a bad smell. The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Perfuming. Unlike fragrance, which can also contain slightly less pleasant or characteristic odours, the term perfume indicates only very pleasant fragrances. Used for perfumes and aromatic raw materials.
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