Abstract:
Mint oil and its derivative menthol is widely used as flavoring ingredient for various products such as tooth paste, dental cream, cough syrups, confectionery, pan masala, chewing gums and in pain relieving preparations.
Mentha cultivation in India has proved quite remunerative to the growers, particularly to small holders and fitted well in the existing cropping system in mint growing area in the country, Mint growers consider mentha as a bonus crop as it does not disturb or replace the cultivation of any major winter (Rabi) or rainy season (Kharif) Crop. Being a labour intensive crop mentha provides various employment opportunities in cultivation, distillation, processing field particularly in rural areas.
