Mint oil has a number of benefits, such as adding a spicy taste to foods like chocolate and icing, and is used to make natural lotions ranging from ant-killing to suffocating breath. Making your own mint oil takes a few weeks, but is inexpensive and easy to do.
Step
Part 1 of 2: Extracting Min Oil
Step 1. Choose the liquid used in the extraction
Vodka, or high levels of ethanol, is great for the extraction process, as it has water and alcohol to dissolve the oil. In addition, apple cider vinegar or glycerin can also be used, but the resulting solution is not too strong and does not last long. Homemade solutions, such as store-bought vanilla extract, are usually used in small doses so that the alcohol effect is subtle.
- For dried mint leaves, use vodka that contains 45-60 percent alcohol.
- For fresh mint leaves, because they already contain water, use vodka or Everclear (spirit brand) with an alcohol content of 90-95 percent.
Step 2. Chop or mash the min
Chop a bunch of fresh mint leaves into two or three slices or crush the mint leaves in a clean cup holder, allowing more oil to escape. Dried mint leaves can be crushed by hand, or left whole.
- Wash fresh mint leaves before chopping.
- The stems do not need to be removed, but remove any leaves that are slimy or black in color as they may be rotten.
Step 3. Put the min and liquid in a closed jar
Place the min in the jar, leaving at least 1.25 cm of space if you want a stronger solution. You can use a smaller amount of mint if you like, but the aroma is less intense and the taste less strong. When the mint leaves have been added, pour the alcohol or other liquid into the jar, until the mint leaves are completely submerged. Close the jar tightly.
The mint leaves may float at first. You can try pushing them to the bottom of the jar with a spoon, but the leaves will sink on their own after a few days
Step 4. Leave the jar for a few days, shaking it occasionally
The exact length of time for storage will depend on how strong you want the solution to be, but is usually between four and eight weeks. Most people prefer to store the jar in a dark place, as sunlight can decrease the shelf life of the solution. Once or twice a week, shake the jar for a few minutes to speed up the dissolving process.
You can taste a drop of this herb to determine if the taste is strong enough or not
Step 5. Strain the liquid into a brown glass container
Pour the liquid through a coffee filter to separate the leaves and sediment. Store the solution in a brown glass container to protect it from the sun and increase its lifespan. This liquid can last for six months or more, although its efficacy will gradually wear off.
If the solution smells like vodka, or isn't as strong as you'd like it to be, leave the jar open with a coffee filter or new cloth on top. Some of the alcohol will evaporate
Part 2 of 2: Using Min Extract Solution
Step 1. Add a few drops of the mint solution to the hot drink
Stir a drop or three of mint extract into hot chocolate, hot water, or herbal tea. If the solution is not strong enough, you can add more. The addition of the amount of alcohol is not too big, so you don't have to worry because it doesn't make you drunk.
Drinking a drink containing mint can help with digestive problems, but avoid it if you have excess stomach acid (heartburn) or a hernia
Step 2. Add min taste to the cake recipe
About teaspoon (2.5 ml) of mint extract is enough to flavor a tray of brownies or fudge (a snack made of sugar, milk, and butter) or meringue (a dessert made of beaten egg whites and sugar). You may need to experiment with the amount of min solution to use, as homemade min solution varies in strength. For some recipes, such as frosting, it's easy to mix in a small amount of min extract and test it by tasting it.
Step 3. Insect repellent
Min extract can kill ants, flies and moths but only has little effect on mice or rats. Dip a cotton ball in the solution and place it around the insect-infested area. Change the cotton ball once or twice a week.
Keep the cotton ball out of the reach of pets
Step 4. Use min to improve memory and mind focus
Several studies have shown that mint oil can improve concentration. Drop this solution on your clothes and inhale the aroma before studying, then again before taking an exam, or any time you feel stressed or tired.
Step 5. Dissolve with oil to apply on the skin
Mix a few drops of mint oil with almond oil, olive oil, shea fat, or another skin-safe oil to use as a lotion. Rub this mixture on your chest to relieve shortness of breath, or on injured muscles and joints, or on a nettle rash to relieve the pain. Rub it into the forehead and temples to relieve headaches.
Tips
- To get the highest min oil content, pick the mint leaves around 10 am after the dew has gone, but before the sun is too hot.
- If a precipitate appears in the solution, filter it briefly through a coffee filter.
- This recipe will produce a solution that is not as strong as the essential oil. Essential oils are usually made using a lengthy distillation process by evaporation, so they are not effective on a household scale.
Warning
- Use min solution only in small amounts.
- Min solution can stay fresh for up to a year, but is recommended for use within six months.
- Do not use alcohol that is not safe for consumption. Even if you don't plan on using the mint solution for daily consumption, isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol will leave a strong, unpleasant odor.
- Do not rub mint oil on a child's face, as it can affect breathing.
