Isopulegol
Fresh, minty — lemon balm's cooling note
Terpene
What is isopulegol?
Isopulegol is a monoterpenoid alcohol in the mint family of compounds, found in lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and other minty herbs. Its aroma is fresh and cooling — a menthol-like lift with a lemony edge.
Effects
Isopulegol is the chemical bridge between pulegone and menthol: industry uses it as a building block for synthetic menthol, which hints at its clean, cooling character. Research points to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity. In cannabis it's a minor player, adding a crisp, herbal freshness to a profile.
Research note
It's not one of the headline terpenes, and the research is thinner than for myrcene or limonene — but its cool, clean note is easy to recognize when present. A 2020 study found isopulegol reduced paw edema and inflammatory markers in mice, giving the anti-inflammatory reputation some real lab support.
Conditions that cite this compound
These condition guides point here — they cover the same compound from the patient side.