Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 2: Making a coin extract
• Part 2 of 2: Using mint tincture
• Tips
• Warnings
• Necessities

Peppermint oil has many uses –– including to impart a peppermint flavor to beverages, foods such as chocolates and icing, and in a number of natural applications; from expelling ants to dissolving stuck mucus when coughing. Making your own extract takes a few weeks, but it is cheap and easy to do.

To step

Part 1 of 2: Making a coin extract

1. Choose a liquid in which you want to make the extract. Vodka, or another distilled drink with a high alcohol content, is ideal for this, as it contains both water and alcohol to dissolve the oils. You can also replace this with apple cider vinegar or glycerine, but then the end product will be less strong and less durable. Homemade tinctures, like store-bought vanilla extract, are usually processed in such small quantities that the alcohol is not a problem.
   • If you use dried peppermint leaves, take vodka with an alcohol content of 45–60%.
   • With fresh peppermint leaves, since it still contains water, use vodka with an alcohol content of 90–95%.
2. Chop or crush the mint leaves. Chop a bunch of fresh mint leaves into two or three pieces, or crush the leaves with the bottom of a cup so more oils get into the liquid. Dried leaves can be crumbled by hand or left largely whole.
   • Wash fresh mint leaves before using them.
   • There is no need to remove the stems, but discard any flaccid or discolored leaves as they may be rotten.
3. Stuff the peppermint into a sealable jar. Don't leave more than four inches of space at the top if you want a strong tincture. You can use fewer mint leaves if you prefer, but the result may be less aromatic and flavorful. When the mint is in the jar, pour over so much alcohol that the leaves are completely covered. Close the jar tightly.
   • The leaves may float first. You can push them down with a spoon. Normally they will sink on their own after a few days.
4. Let the pot sit for a few weeks, shaking things up every now and then. Exactly how long the pot should stand depends on how strong you want the final tincture to be. Usually it takes four to eight weeks. Most people prefer to put the pot in a dark place as sunlight will reduce the shelf life of the tincture. Once or twice a week, shake the jar for a few minutes to allow the oils to dissolve better.
   • You can taste a drop now and then to see if you think it is strong enough already.
5. Pour the liquid through a coffee filter into a brown mason jar to remove leaves and sediment. Keep the tincture in the brown glass jar to extend its shelf life and protect it from sunlight. This tincture can be kept for at least six months, although it slowly diminishes.
   • If the tincture smells like vodka or isn't as strong as you'd like, leave the jar open for a while with a coffee filter or cloth over it. Some of the alcohol then evaporates.

Part 2 of 2: Using mint tincture

1. Add a few drops to hot drinks. Stir one to three drops into hot chocolate, hot water, or herbal tea. If your tincture is less strong, you can add more. the amount of alcohol remains negligible, so don't worry about getting tipsy after drinking.
   • Drinking peppermint can help with some types of digestive problems, but don't use it if you have heartburn or a stomach break.
2. Add flavor to your baking recipes. About 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of your homemade mint extract is enough to give brownies, fudge, or meringues a delicious peppermint flavor. Try to find the right amount in advance, as homemade extracts vary in strength. With some recipes, such as icing, it is simple: always add a little extract and then taste until you are satisfied with the result.
3. Repel insects. Peppermint extract can repel ants, flies and moths, but has little effect on mice or rats. Dampen cotton balls with the tincture and place them in areas affected by the pests. Replace the cotton balls once or twice a week.
   • Keep the cotton balls out of the reach of pets.
4. Use peppermint to improve your memory and focus. Some studies show that peppermint oil improves concentration. Put the tincture on a cloth and smell it before you study, have a test, or any time you feel tense or tired.
5. Dilute it with oil to use on your skin. Mix a few drops with sweet almond oil, olive oil, shea butter, or another skin-friendly oil to make an ointment. Rub it on your chest if you have stuck mucus, or on sore muscles, joints, or poison ivy rashes to relieve pain. Rub it on your forehead and temple if you have a tension headache.

Tips

• To ensure that the oil content in the plant is as high as possible, the best time to pick it is around 10 a.m. or as soon as the dew has evaporated and certainly before the sun gets too hot.
• If there is sediment in your tincture, pour it through a coffee filter one more time.
• This recipe is for making a tincture, which is not as strong as an essential oil. Essential oils are generally made through a lengthy process of steam distillation, which is usually not possible in home, garden and kitchen situations.

Warnings

• Only use the tincture in small amounts.
• The tincture can keep for up to a year, but it is recommended to use it within 6 months.
• Never use alcohol that is not intended for consumption. Even if you don't plan on using the tincture in drinks or food, isopropyl alcohol has a strong, unpleasant odor.
• Never put peppermint on a child's face, as this can have a negative effect on breathing.

Necessities

• Dried Peppermint Leaf & 45–60% Distilled Alcohol
• or fresh peppermint leaf & 90–95% distilled alcohol
• Resealable jar
• Colander
• Brown glass jar or bottle
• Pipette (for administration)