Menthone

Menthone is a ketone, as found in geranium, pennyroyal, and peppermint.

Many ketones can be toxic internally and topically.  Some can be convulsant, toxic to the liver, or neurotoxic in high doses.  Do not overuse or use for prolonged periods of time.

Links to Plants Containing Menthone

Anise

Cypress

Lavender

Peppermint

Yarrow

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represents a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study.  This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.

INSECTICIDAL

• Eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, and mint showed varying degrees of repellency against the bloodsucking bug Rhodnius prolixus Stahl.  The knockdown time of nymphs in minutes by constituents was 117.2 (eucalyptol), 408.7 (linalool), 474.0 (menthone), and 484.2 (limonene). While the repellent effect was quite lesser than that of deet, eucalyptol was 3.5 times less toxic.  From:  Sfara, V., Zerba, E. N., & Alzogaray, R. A. (2009). Fumigant insecticidal activity and repellent effect of five essential oils and seven monoterpenes on first-instar nymphs of Rhodnius prolixus. Journal of medical entomology, 46(3), 511-515.  Link:  http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/033.046.0315

ANTIOXIDANT

• Mint species demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant capacity with the most powerful scavenging compounds being menthone and isomenthone in the essential oils of M. longifolia and M. piperita and 1,8-cineole in the oil of M. aquatica.  From:  Mimica-Dukić, N., Božin, B., Soković, M., Mihajlović, B., & Matavulj, M. (2003). Antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of three Mentha species essential oils. Planta medica, 69(05), 413-419.

By: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 1/7/19