p-Menthane-3,8-diol
Cyclohexanemethanol, 2-hydroxy-.alpha.,.alpha.,4-trimethyl-
What is PMD?
PMD is the active molecule inside oil of lemon eucalyptus, and the only plant-derived repellent compound with DEET-class evidence. At 30%-OLE-equivalent concentrations it provides 4–6 hours of complete mosquito protection.
When to choose it: Same niche as OLE: serious plant-derived mosquito protection. Not for children under 3.
EPA Substance Registry Services (SRS) listed active ingredient for pesticide products.
The evidence
Mosquito protection by concentration: p-Menthane-3,8-diol
Complete protection time (dark = lower bound, light = upper bound) on the same 12 h scale used across the site. Modeled from published dose-response data in our research library.
- Evaluation of standard field and laboratory methods to compare protection times of the topical repellents PMD and DEET2018Field TrialWell-supported evidence
Head-to-head comparison of 15% PMD and 15% DEET using arm-in-cage laboratory tests (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, Culex quinquefasciatus) and two field sites, with the same volunteers across all experiments.
- Efficacy of four insect repellents against mosquito bites: a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled field study in Senegal2009RctDefinitive evidence
Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled crossover field trial of icaridin (picaridin) 20%, PMD 20% and 50%, and DEET 50% sprays among 100 volunteers over five nights.
- PMD, a Registered Botanical Mosquito Repellent with Deet-Like Efficacy2006Field TrialWell-supported evidence
Combined laboratory and field evaluation of PMD (para-menthane-3,8-diol) with large numbers of human subjects, comparing protection against multiple mosquito genera versus high-concentration DEET.
Common misconceptions
Myth: “Synthesized PMD is inferior to the plant version.”
Reality: The molecule is the molecule. Synthesized PMD performs equivalently to plant-refined OLE at the same concentration, and both are EPA-registered.
Regulatory notes
Source: EPA SRS active ingredient list export. Minimum risk (25(b)) status is applied separately when applicable.
The best products built on it
All products using it
- OFF! Botanicals Insect Repellent
10% · Active repellent
- OFF! Botanicals Towelettes
8% · Active repellent
- Treefrog Insect Repellent
10% · Active repellent
- The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Spray
8% · Active repellent
- The Superbloc Bloc & Chill Mosquito Repellent Wipes
8% · Active repellent
- The Superbloc Bloc Off Mosquito Repellent Spray
8% · Active repellent
Frequently asked questions
Is PMD natural or synthetic?
Both exist: it occurs in refined lemon eucalyptus oil and is also synthesized directly. Performance is equivalent at equal concentrations.
How does PMD compare to DEET?
A 2018 protection-time comparison found 15% PMD comparable to 15% DEET in standardized testing, a result unique among plant-derived actives.