Menthol does not create the illusion of cold and acts like a low temperature

For the perception of cold in the skin and mucous membranes responsible Kholodov thermoreceptors. When the temperature drops below a certain limit are sent to the brain nerve impulse. Thermoreceptors respond not only to changes in temperature, but also to some chemicals. Even a very weak solution of menthol (at a concentration of 1:10 000) produces a cooling effect. In 1951, a team of German physiologist Herbert Hensel has proven that the effect of menthol can be fully compensated for temperature, if the language is to immerse in a sufficiently warm environment. Therefore, for example, hot tea with mint does not cool language, and some mints cough it literally frozen. That is the menthol does not create the illusion of a cold, but actually works in the same low temperature. As cold, menthol has a slight sedative effect, so it is often added to cosmetics and medical ointments: when applied to the skin, it soothes itching and irritation. Similarly, but with the opposite effect, acting capsaicin - a substance from hot peppers. It includes a thermal receptors, so it seems the hot spicy food.

via factroom.ru