Mint oil: production and use

Mint essential oil is a substance that is obtained from perennial herbaceous plants of the family of clear-cut, in particular from different kinds of mint, most often peppery. It contains many valuable components: the most menthol, its 70%, and still there is limonene, cineole, carvone, geraniol and many other aromatic compounds.

Preparation of a substance

The main raw materials are slightly withered leaves and stems of peppermint. On an industrial scale, the substance is produced by distillation with steam (distillation). The content of essential oil in the plant is 0.5%, that is, in order to obtain one kilogram of the final product, it will be necessary to process 45-50 kg of feedstock. It should be noted that the substance obtained in this way will be quite expensive.

But most often mint oil is made on the basis of some base oil. Such a substance can be made easily and most at home. To do this you will need:

- Base oil, for example, grape or from wheat germ ;

- glass containers, necessarily with a lid;

- dark glass container;

- a small cut of gauze;

- Wooden hammer;

- plastic bag;

- raw materials: fresh, freshly minted (not later than a day).

So, my mint, dry it and put it in a bag. Then we beat off the raw material right in the bag with a hammer - so it will release the juice. We shift the mass into a glass container, we ram and fill it with an oil base. After 24 hours the mixture must be filtered. We repeat all the actions three more times, each time leaving the old oil and using fresh raw materials. Then the finished mint oil is poured into a dark glass container. Keep it in a dark cool place tightly closed.

Mint oil: application

This substance is used very widely: it is used in the manufacture of cosmetics, personal care products, in pharmacology and traditional medicine. A separate mention deserves the use of mint oil in aromatherapy. In this area it is used for the aromatization of premises, for massage and rubbing, for baths and saunas. Mint oil has a complex effect on the human body: it stimulates the nervous system, tones up the body, acts as a mild stimulant (in an intimate way) means. In addition, this substance is used internally and externally in many diseases, such as rheumatism, pain in muscles and joints, skin inflammation and rashes, migraine, nausea, spasms, etc.

Contraindications

Despite all its usefulness, mint oil is not a means that can be taken thoughtlessly and without any restrictions. For example, if you increase the dose of this substance in the mixture for inhalation, you can cause a breathing disorder or bronchospasm. In addition, mint oil actively affects the work of the heart muscle, which can lead to pain in the heart. Still this substance is not recommended to use during pregnancy - it can cause fights. And small children should not put it on the skin - mint oil has too much effect on the delicate baby skin. Therefore, use this substance reasonably: in small doses and it is better only outwardly.