Creating A Soothing Menthol Aroma At Home

Creating a menthol aroma can be done in several ways, depending on your desired outcome. If you're looking for a natural way to wake yourself up, menthol crystals are a great option. You can add them to water in an essential oil diffuser or simply open the jar and take a few deep breaths. To make a menthol rub, you can mix menthol crystals with a carrier oil such as coconut oil, or add beeswax, cocoa butter, or shea butter for a thicker consistency. For a menthol e-liquid, you'll need to create a concentrated solution by dissolving the crystals in propylene glycol or ethyl alcohol, then adding this to your e-liquid mixture. Finally, you can make your own menthol essential oil at home through distillation or by soaking mint leaves in alcohol.

Menthol crystals: the base for your aroma

Menthol crystals are a 100% natural product that is steam distilled from corn mint (Mentha arvensis). They are the solid constituent of mint oil, obtained by freezing the distilled oil to a temperature of -7.6° F (-22° C), at which point the menthol crystallizes into satiny, beautifully formed crystals. Menthol crystals are colourless or white, and solid but brittle at room temperature. They melt just above room temperature, making them easy to add to liquids. They also readily dissolve into alcohol or essential oils, and can be dissolved into water or oil at their melting point of 111.2° F (44° C).

Menthol crystals are highly concentrated and pack a strong minty aroma, so only a very small amount is needed within products. They are often used in cosmetics, salves, balms, medicated creams, throat lozenges, toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, foot sprays, pain relief, shampoos, conditioners, liniments, shaving creams, oral or throat sprays, compresses, medicated oils, and cooling gels.

Menthol crystals should never be used as a single ingredient product or applied directly to the skin without proper dilution. The recommended dilution is no more than 2% as a food additive or 5% for topical application.

Using a diffuser

There are several types of diffusers that can be used to spread menthol aroma in a room.

Reed Diffusers

Reed diffusers are a stylish way to add a luxurious scent to your home. They work by distributing your choice of scent through wooden rods placed in a decorative bottle. To make your own reed diffuser, you will need the following:

• A small bottle or vase
• 20 to 25 drops of menthol essential oil
• 1/4 cup of a carrier oil such as baby oil, almond oil, or safflower oil
• 3 tablespoons of rubbing alcohol or vodka
• Bamboo skewers or diffuser reeds

First, mix the carrier oil and rubbing alcohol in a small bowl. Then, add the essential oil. Pour this mixture into your chosen bottle, and place the reeds inside. The alcohol will help the scent travel up the reeds more effectively. You can adjust the length of the reeds for ascetic reasons and to improve stability. It is important to use new reeds each time you refill your diffuser.

Plug-in Diffusers

Plug-in diffusers are small, about the size of a nightlight, and have a glass jar or bulb attached. To make your own blend for a plug-in diffuser, follow these steps:

• Unscrew the glass bulb and remove the cap and wick using a butter knife or flat screwdriver.
• Rinse the bottle and wick and let them dry.
• Add 20 drops of menthol essential oil to the diffuser.
• Fill the diffuser with water, leaving some space for the wick.
• Put the cap and wick back in place, and screw the bulb back onto the diffuser.
• Shake the diffuser to blend the oil and water.

Electric Diffusers

Electric diffusers are a popular way to enjoy the benefits of essential oils. They work by dispersing tiny molecules of essential oils into the air, quickly filling the room with fragrance. To use an electric diffuser, simply fill the container with water and add 20-25 drops of menthol essential oil. Select your desired settings, and let the diffuser do the rest.

Mug Warmer or Candle Warmer Diffusers

If you don't have a traditional diffuser, you can use a mug warmer or candle warmer as an alternative. Simply follow the instructions for a reed diffuser, but omit the reeds. Place the jar or mug with the oil mixture on the warmer and turn it on. As the oil heats up, the essential oil scent will be released.

Spray Bottle Diffusers

Another option is to use a spray bottle to disperse essential oils around your home. Add 25 drops of menthol essential oil to a clean spray bottle, then fill the bottle with distilled water. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients, and spritz the mixture onto fabrics and furniture.

DIY menthol e-juice

Creating your own menthol e-juice can be a cost-effective and rewarding experience, allowing you to customise your vape juice to your personal taste preferences. Here is a step-by-step guide to making menthol e-juice:

Ingredients and Supplies:

• Menthol crystals
• Propylene Glycol (PG)
• Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
• Chubby bottle or travel bottle
• Nicotine shot (optional)
• Other flavourings (optional)
• Bowl of warm water
• Paper towels

Step 1: Create a Menthol Solution

To incorporate menthol into your e-juice, you must first create a menthol solution. Menthol crystals need to be dissolved in a solvent such as PG, VG, or a combination of both. You can also use grain alcohol or distilled water, but these may be less effective.

The recommended ratio for a menthol solution is 1 gram of menthol crystals to 9 grams of PG/VG, resulting in a 10% solution. This can be adjusted to your preference, but it is advised to start with a lower concentration and increase gradually.

Place the crystals in a cup of warm water to help them dissolve. Then, add the desired amount of PG and/or VG to create your solution. You can also add grain alcohol at this stage if desired.

Step 2: Mix Your E-Juice

Once you have your menthol solution, you can now mix your e-juice. If you want a pure menthol flavour, simply combine your menthol solution with the base liquids (PG and VG) in your chosen bottle.

If you want to add other flavours or a nicotine shot, this is the time to do so. Be mindful of the ratios and adjust accordingly. For example, if you're making a 120ml batch, you might use 60ml PG, your desired amount of menthol solution, and then top it up with VG.

Step 3: Mix and Steep

After adding all your ingredients to the bottle, securely cap it and give it a good shake to mix everything together.

For better flavour infusion, you can steep the liquid. This is an optional step, but it helps the flavours mix and develop. Place the bottle in a cool, dark space for up to 60 days. If you're in a hurry, you can speed up the process by placing the bottle in a bowl of warm water, being careful not to make the water too hot as this can ruin the flavour.

Tips and Tricks:

• Menthol is a strong flavour, so it's best to start with a lower concentration and gradually increase to your taste.
• If you want a cooling effect without the menthol flavour, consider using koolada or WS-23 additives.
• Experiment with different flavours and ratios to find your perfect vape. You can add menthol to fruit flavours, tobacco mixes, or create your own unique combinations.
• Always follow safety guidelines when handling these ingredients, and ensure your supplies are sourced from reputable vendors.

Creating DIY menthol e-juice gives you the freedom to customise your vaping experience. By following these steps and with a bit of experimentation, you'll be well on your way to enjoying your ideal menthol vape.

Extraction via distillation

The process of fractional distillation can be broken down into several steps. Firstly, the plant material, typically the leaves of Mentha arvensis, is prepared by grinding to a suitable particle size. This ensures effective mass transfer during the extraction process. The ground leaves are then placed in a distillation apparatus, often a glass balloon, and heated. The heating process can be done through conventional methods, such as hydrodistillation, or with the assistance of microwaves, as in microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MWHD).

During distillation, the volatile compounds, including menthol, are vaporised and carried away by water vapour or steam. The vapours are then condensed, and the essential oil containing menthol is collected. The yield of menthol can be increased by applying higher power levels during the distillation process, as this facilitates the rupture of cell walls and the release of menthol. However, it is important to note that prolonged extraction times may lead to thermal degradation and oxidation of sensitive compounds.

Fractional distillation is particularly useful for separating menthol from other components like menthone, as their similar physical properties make isolation challenging. By utilising precise fractional distillation, menthol and menthone can be effectively separated. This process involves distilling off the menthone and lower-boiling fractions under vacuum conditions, typically at reduced pressures of 50 mm Hg or lower. This step is followed by steam distillation to separate menthol from the non-volatile residue. The menthol obtained may then undergo further purification through repeated digestion in boiling water until the desired melting point is achieved, adhering to standards such as the U.S. Pharmacopoeia specifications.

Extraction via alcohol

Menthol crystals can be used to create a refreshing aroma. This can be achieved through a simple extraction process using alcohol. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Prepare the Menthol Crystals and Alcohol

• Purchase or create menthol crystals. Menthol is a natural compound found in mint plants such as corn mint and peppermint.
• Choose an alcohol base such as vodka, rum, or everclear. The alcohol will act as a solvent to extract the menthol's aromatic compounds.

Step 2: Mix the Ingredients

• Crush and smash the menthol crystals to increase the surface area and help release the aromatic compounds.
• Place the crushed menthol crystals in a glass jar.
• Fill the jar with the alcohol of your choice, ensuring that the menthol crystals are completely submerged.

Step 3: Steep the Mixture

• Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry.
• Allow the mixture to steep for at least one month. The longer it steeps, the stronger the aroma will become.
• Occasionally shake the jar to agitate the mixture and help speed up the extraction process.

Step 4: Strain and Bottle the Extract

• After the desired steeping time, strain the mixture to separate the menthol crystals from the alcohol.
• Bottle the extracted alcohol into smaller jars or containers.
• Label the bottles and store them in a cool, dark place.

Tips and Variations:

• The amount of menthol crystals and alcohol can be adjusted to your preference. Ensure the menthol crystals are always covered by alcohol to prevent mould.
• For a stronger aroma, consider performing a second extraction by steeping the strained menthol crystals in a new batch of alcohol.
• You can use dried mint leaves instead of menthol crystals. Simply crush and steep the dried leaves in alcohol following a similar process.
• Always work in a well-ventilated area when handling menthol crystals, and avoid inhaling the concentrated aroma directly.
• Menthol extracts can be used for various purposes, including aromatherapy, flavouring extracts for baking, and creating refreshing sprays or rubs.

Frequently asked questions