Mint oil can have various uses: it can be used to give a mint flavor to soft drinks and other foods such as chocolate and icing; it is also used to keep ants away and to combat the constriction of the respiratory tract. You can make mint oil at home by following these simple steps.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Extracting the Mint Oil
Step 1. Choose the liquid you want to use for the extraction
Vodka or another high-strength alcohol is fine, as both water and alcohol are solvents. While you can use apple cider vinegar or glycerin, you will get a final product with a more intense smell and a shorter shelf life. Homemade tinctures, such as vanilla extract you buy at the store, are used in such small quantities that alcohol cannot have any effect.
- If you are using dried mint leaves, use 45-60% alcohol vodka.
- If you are using fresh leaves that already contain water, you need to use vodka or 90-95% pure alcohol.
Step 2. Cut or crush the leaves
Chop a bunch of mint leaves into three or four pieces or mash them with the base of a clean cup to expose more oil to the solvent. The dried leaves can be crushed with the hands or left whole.
- If you are using fresh mint, wash it before this step.
- There is no need to remove the stems, but discard any dark or slippery leaves as they may be rotten.
Step 3. Place the mint leaves and liquid in an airtight jar
If you want a concentrated dye, try to fill the jar as full as you can, leaving only 1.25 cm of space at the top edge. Alternatively, you can also use a smaller amount of leaves but you will get a less aromatic and fragrant oil. At this point, add the alcohol or liquid of your choice to the jar until the leaves are completely submerged. Close the jar tightly.
The leaves may float at first; you can try to push them with a spoon but they should sink spontaneously within a couple of days
Step 4. Let the jar sit for several weeks, shaking it from time to time
The time it takes depends on how hard you want the dye, but still it is better not to go below 4-8 weeks. Most people choose to store the jar in a dark place because direct sunlight can shorten the life of the dye. Shake the jar 1-2 times a week for a couple of minutes to speed up the oil release process.
You can taste a drop of tincture to assess the degree of concentration
Step 5. Strain the liquid into a dark glass jar
Use a coffee filter to remove leaves and sediments. Store the tincture in a dark glass jar to protect it from sunlight and make it last longer. It should last for 6 months or more, although it will gradually lose its strength.
If the tincture isn't strong enough or shows a vodka aroma, leave the jar open with a simple coffee filter for protection. This way some of the alcohol will evaporate
Part 2 of 2: Using Mint Tincture
Step 1. Add a couple of drops to hot drinks
Mix two or three drops of tincture into hot chocolate, herbal tea, or just plain hot water. If you feel like it's not very aromatic, increase the amount. Know that the amount of alcohol is really insignificant so don't worry, you won't get drunk.
Drinking mint helps with indigestion but avoid it if you suffer from acid reflux (heartburn) or a hiatal hernia
Step 2. Flavor your baked goods
To flavor a pan of biscuits, meringues or fudge, 2.5 ml of tincture is sufficient. You should proceed by trial and error as the strength of homemade tinctures can vary a great deal. For some preparations, such as icing, it is better to add a few drops at a time and do taste tests.
Step 3. Keep the bugs away
Mint extract is able to keep ants, flies and moths away, but it is not as effective with mice and rats. Moisten some cotton balls with the dye and place them in strategic places where you saw the bugs. Replace the wads 1-2 times a week.
Make sure pets don't have access to the wads
Step 4. Use mint to improve memory and concentration
Studies have shown that peppermint oil increases concentration abilities. Put a few drops on a cloth and smell it before studying, before taking an exam, or just when you feel tired and under pressure.
Step 5. For skin use, dilute the oil
Mix a few drops with sweet almond oil, olive oil, shea butter, or any skin-safe carrier oil to make a soothing ointment. Rub it on your chest when cooled, on sore muscles, on sore joints, or on rashes from contact with poison ivy. To relieve headaches and tension, rub it on your temples and forehead.
Advice
- To ensure maximum oil content in the leaves, collect them around 10 am, when the dew has dried, but the sun is still not very strong.
- If you notice sediment in the tincture, filter it a second time with a coffee filter.
- The oil produced in this way is not very concentrated, and at home it is impossible to verify the degree of concentration. The actual essential oil is produced thanks to a slow distillation process, which is impractical in a private home.
Warnings
- The oil keeps for one year, but it is recommended to use it within 6 months.
- Use the tincture only in small quantities.
- Use only food alcohol. Even if you plan not to ingest the tincture, be aware that denatured alcohol leaves a strong, unpleasant odor.
- Never apply peppermint oil to a baby's face as it interferes with breathing.
