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Mint oil has a number of uses––it can be used to add a minty flavor to drinks, add mint flavor to food such as chocolates and icing and used in a number of natural applications from deterring ants to clearing up chest congestion. Making your own takes a few weeks, but is cheap and easy to do.
Steps
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Select a liquid to use in extraction. Vodka, or another high-proof grain alcohol, is perfect for this, since it has both water and alcohol to dissolve the oils. While apple cider vinegar or glycerin can be used instead, the final tincture will be much less strong and have a shorter shelf life. White vinegar will also work, but have the same effect. These are good for children that cannot drink alcohol, although if you use this for baking, the alcohol bakes out. Homemade tinctures, just like vanilla extract you would buy in a store, are normally used in such small doses that the alcohol does not have a noticeable effect.- For dried mint leaves, use vodka containing 45–60% alcohol (90–120 proof).
- For fresh mint leaves, since they already contain water, use vodka or Everclear with 90–95% alcohol (180–190 proof).
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Chop or bruise the mint leaves. Chop a bundle of fresh mint leaves into two or three pieces, or mash the leaves with a clean cup base, so more oils will be exposed to the liquid. [1] X Research source Dried mint leaves can be crumbled by hand instead, or left mostly whole.- Wash fresh mint leaves before chopping.
- There's no need to remove the stems, but throw away any slick or dark leaves, as these may be rotting.
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Pack the mint and liquid into a sealable jar. Stuff the jar with mint, leaving as little as ½ inch (1.25 centimeters) of space if you want the option for a stronger tincture. You may use a smaller amount of mint leaves if you like, but you may end up with a less aromatic or flavorful result. Once the mint is in, pour the alcohol or other liquid into the jar, completely covering the leaves. Close the lid of the jar tightly.
- The leaves may float at first. You can try to push them down with a spoon, but they should sink on their own after a few days.
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Let the jar sit for several weeks, shaking occasionally. The exact length of time simply depends on how strong you want your tincture to be, but it usually takes between four and eight weeks. [2] X Research source Most people prefer to store the jar in a dark place, since sunlight could lower the tincture's shelf life. Once or twice a week, shake the jar for a couple minutes to speed up the dissolving process.- You can taste a drop of the mixture to decide whether it's strong enough for you.
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Strain the liquid into a brown glass container. Pour the liquid through a coffee filter to remove the leaves and sediment. Store the tincture in a brown glass container to protect it from sunlight and increase its shelf life. It can last for six months or more, although it may lose its potency gradually.
- If the tincture has a vodka smell to it, or isn't as strong as you would like, leave the jar out for another week with a fresh coffee filter or cloth over the lid. Some of the alcohol will evaporate.
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Add a couple drops to hot drinks. Stir one to three drops into hot chocolate, hot water, or herbal tea. If your tincture is weak, you can add more. This adds up to an insignificant amount of alcohol, so don't worry about getting tipsy.- Drinking peppermint can help with some forms of indigestion, but avoid it if you have acid reflux (heartburn), or a hernia.
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Flavor your baking recipes. Roughly 1/2 tsp (2.5 mL) of your mint extract is enough to flavor a pan of brownies, or a batch of fudge or meringues. You may need to experiment with the amount used, since homemade tinctures vary in strength. For some recipes, such as frosting, it's easy to mix in a little at a time and test by taste. -
Repel insects. Peppermint extract can repel ants, flies, and moths, but has little effect on mice or rats. [3] X Research source [4] X Research source Dampen cotton balls with the tincture and place them around the area where pests were found. Replace the cotton balls once or twice a week.
- Keep the cotton balls out of reach of pets.
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Use mint to boost memory and focus. Some studies show that peppermint oil may enhance concentration. Drop the tincture onto a cloth and smell it before studying, then again before taking a test, or any time you feel stressed or tired. -
Dilute it with oil to use on your skin. Mix a few drops in sweet almond oil, olive oil, shea butter, or any other skin-safe oil to make a salve. Rub it onto your chest to help with congestion, or onto sore muscles, joints, or poison ivy rashes to relieve the pain. Rub it onto your forehead and temples to fight tension headaches. [5] X Trustworthy Source Cleveland Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source
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Community Q&A
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QuestionI am in Pakistan, and we don't use vodka or any alcoholic drink. What is an alternative that I can use for mint oil extraction with a long shelf life?Community AnswerCheck out How to Extract Flavor and use the ingredients listed for mint extract when following the article's instructions. Using vegetable glycerin is a common solution for those who cannot or don't wish to use alcohol to extract plant oils.
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QuestionWhat is a eucalyptus tincture used for?Community AnswerIt is generally used for bronchitis. Research shows it can calm symptoms associated with it.
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QuestionHow can I extract pure oil from basil leaf?Community AnswerIt involves chemistry; however, you may be able to yield oil from a steam distillation. I am unsure if Basil's oil compounds are soluble in common steam distillation techniques, you may need to use an acid, 98% ethyl alcohol, distilled/osmosis water. It also may need a vacuum chamber to lower boiling points so that the compounds aren't burnt in the process.
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Tips
- This recipe makes a tincture, which is not as strong as an essential oil. Essential oils are usually made using a lengthy process of distillation by steam, not viable for the average home.Thanks
- If sediment appears in your tincture, strain it a second time through a coffee filter.Thanks
- For the highest content of oils in plants, pick them around 10 am, after the dew is gone, but before the sun gets too hot.Thanks
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Warnings
- The tincture may stay fresh up to one year, but it is recommended to use it within 6 months.Thanks
- Never rub mint onto a child's face, as it may affect breathing.Thanks
- Use the tincture only in small quantities.Thanks
- Never use any alcohol that is not safe to consume. Even if you do not plan to use the tincture for consumption, isopropyl or rubbing alcohol will leave a strong, unpleasant odor.Thanks
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Things You'll Need
- Dried mint leaves & 90–120 proof grain alcohol
- or fresh mint leaves & 180–190 proof grain alcohol
- Sealable jar
- Strainer
- Brown glass container
- Eyedropper (for using)
References
- ↑ https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2311338.pdf
- ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTM9AuGj2_c
- ↑ https://ecommons.cornell.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/0a67cf6f-2c09-442f-adf1-2c60002e75f2/content
- ↑ https://ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2311338.pdf
- ↑ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/essential-oils-101-do-they-work-how-do-you-use-them
About This Article
Article Summary
X
To extract mint oils from leaves, chop the leaves to expose more oils and put them in a sealable jar. Then, pour vodka or another high-proof grain alcohol over the leaves until they are covered. If you want to avoid alcohol, you can use apple cider vinegar or white vinegar, but that will give you a weaker tincture. Let the jar sit for 4-8 weeks, shaking occasionally, until the tincture is as strong as you like. To learn how to use mint extract tincture, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I followed all directions found here and made my own garden mint elixir! Using mint right from my garden and Everclear, it came out just perfect to use for health and around the house. For approx. $16 and my time, this made a little under 1 quart of the syrup which saved me and my family at least near to $100 when buying small bottles of the elixir! Safe and fun to do! So awesome! " ..." more
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"I followed all directions found here and made my own garden mint elixir! Using mint right from my garden and Everclear, it came out just perfect to use for health and around the house. For approx. $16 and my time, this made a little under 1 quart of the syrup which saved me and my family at least near to $100 when buying small bottles of the elixir! Safe and fun to do! So awesome! "
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"I've been looking for ways to use the bounty of peppermint we grow. It's from a plant a commercial mint farmer gave my great grandmother and is very high in oil. I thought extracting the oil was a difficult process. Now I know how to do it!"
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"I looked at several "how to" web sites. They were confusing and hard to understand. This article was quick, easy to understand, clear pictures and very informative."
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"I moved into a home that has mint growing in the garden. I wanted to find out how to use the mint and make the tincture. This article gives all of the steps."
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"I use this method of alcohol extraction for a load of different herbs. Experiment! Yummy and good on the skin mixed with coconut oil to dilute for body use."
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