Menthol is an organic compound made synthetically or obtained from peppermint or other mint oils. It is a waxy, crystalline substance, clear or white in color, which is solid at room temperature and melts slightly above. The main form of menthol occurring in nature is (−)-menthol, which is assigned the (1R,2S,5R) configuration. Menthol has local anesthetic and counterirritant qualities, and it is widely used to relieve minor throat irritation. Menthol also acts as a weak kappa opioid receptor agonist.

Natural menthol exists as one pure stereoisomer, nearly always the (1R,2S,5R) form (bottom left corner of the diagram below). The eight possible stereoisomers are:

In the natural compound, the isopropyl group is in the trans orientation to both the methyl and hydroxyl groups. Thus, it can be drawn in any of the ways shown:

The (+) and (–) enantiomers of menthol are the most stable among these based on their cyclohexane conformations. With the ring itself in a chair conformation, all three bulky groups can orient in equatorial positions.

A sore throat or throat pain is a common physical symptom usually caused by acute pharyngitis, or throat inflammation, though it also occurs in a number of other situations, such as post trauma and in diphtheria. It can cause mild to extreme pain.

A sore throat is pain anywhere in the oropharynx.

A sore throat is usually from irritation or inflammation. The most common cause is acute viral pharyngitis (80%) which is a viral infection of the throat. Other causes include other infections (such as streptococcal pharyngitis), trauma, and tumors. In children streptococcal pharyngitis is the cause of 37% of sore throats.

Analgesics such as NSAIDs and paracetamol (acetaminophen) help significantly in the management of pain.Steroids are also useful in this respect. The Mayo clinic mentions some tips, including gargling with warm, salty water, resting the voice, and avoiding air pollution.

In the United States there are about 2.4 million emergency department visits with throat related complaints per year.

Tyler Jakes is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. His sound blends elements of rock and roll, blues, punk, outlaw country, gypsy folk, and surf music.

When Tyler Jakes' first album, Lo-Fi Matter, was released in late 2005, Pulse of the Twin Cities drew comparisons as broad as Bob Dylan and BRMC saying that, "Jakes is intent on laying down some truly dirty rock and roll here...Lo-Fi Matter is a great starting point".Rift Magazine added, "On Lo-Fi Matter, Jakes displays great range and talent as a song writer". The first track on Lo-Fi Matter, "Lie Awake", was used during the opening credits to the short film "Under The N", with Jakes also performing the film's score.

Jakes moved from his home of Minneapolis, Minnesota, to San Francisco, California, in early 2008 and formed Tyler Jakes & The Bootleggers. The band featured Jakes on vocals and guitar, Nick Payne on drums, Corey Fiala on acoustic guitar and bass, Clint Taxdahl on trumpet and guitar, Matthew Whitemyer on guitar and bass, Dominic Henri on bass, and Zach LeWinter on drums and percussion. Shortly thereafter, the Emmy award-winning Discovery Channel program Deadliest Catch featured the song "Gamblers Off The North Pacific Shore", a song Jakes had written and recorded specifically for the show. In May 2008, Jakes released his second album, Rocking Hoarse Calypso.