How To Make Peppermint Oil

Homemade peppermint oil is easy to make and is a wonderful topical oil to use on sore muscles when used as a massage oil. 

Peppermint oil is an body oil that has been infused with fresh peppermint leaves or peppermint essential oil. This infused oil is mostly used topically, but does have culinary uses as well. If you have peppermint plants growing in your garden, making an infused oil is a great way to use it up and enjoy it’s benefits all year long!

How To Make Peppermint Oil

For this DIY you will need dried peppermint, a carrier oil, and a clean glass jar. You may also use fresh mint, just make sure to dry it in a dehydrator before using it in this recipe. You may also use peppermint essential oil in the final infusion if using for topical application. 

There are two methods for infusing herbs in an oil: The folk or traditionally way of infusing for 4-6 weeks, or by heating the herbs and oil at a low temperature for several hours. Below I share directions for both methods.

Traditional Method:

Fill your mason jar 1/2 to 3/4 full with dried mint leaves. Cover the dried plant material with enough carrier oil to cover the herbs, leaving 1/2 inch room at the top of the jar. 

Place the jar in a cold dark place out of direct sunlight for 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar once a day to mix the herbs with the oil. 

After the oil is infused, strain the peppermint through a fine mesh strainer. You may want to line the strainer with cheesecloth to filter the dried herbs from the oil. 

Store the peppermint oil in a dark amber jar at room temperature. 

Quick Method:

Fill your mason jar 1/2 to 3/4 full of dried mint leaves. Cover the dried plant material with enough carrier oil to cover the herbs, leaving 1/2 inch room at the top of the jar. Secure with a lid and prepare the crock pot.

Place a kitchen towel at the bottom of the crockpot and place the jar in the pot. Fill the crock pot with water until it reaches the the neck of the mason jar lid. 

Turn the temperature at the lowest setting and allow the peppermint to infuse for 8-24 hours. Leave the crockpot lid off during this time. 

The water temperature should not reach above 100°F during the infusion. 

After the oil is infused, strain the peppermint oil through a fine mesh strainer. Store in a cool place at room temperature. 

If you’re using this peppermint infused oil topically, you may add pure essential oils to enhance the oils properties. Add 1-2 drops of peppermint, lavender or wintergreen essential oils for soothing effect on sore muscles.

How To Use Peppermint Oil

There are many uses and benefits of peppermint oil. Note: Always do a patch test before applying to the skin. Skin irritations can accrue if you have sensitive skin. Below are a few of my favorite ways to use it topically:

• Massage onto sore muscles or joints
• Add to skin salve to add a cooling effect
• use in homemade lip balm to make a peppermint lip balm
• Pour into roller bottles for easy use topically
• Mix with rosemary oil and apply to the scalp for hair growth

Culinary uses:

Peppermint infused oil can be used in culinary recipes as long as it’s infused in an edible carrier oil and no essential oils are added to the infused oil. Below are some of the ways you can use peppermint oil in recipes:

• Infuse with coconut oil and use in homemade brownies to make peppermint brownies!
• Add a teaspoon of the herbal oil to hot chocolate or homemade mochas to make a peppermint flavored drink
• Mix into keto fudge to make peppermint fudge!
• Add to ice cream to make peppermint ice cream

Best Carrier Oils To Use

For topical use:

• Jojoba Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Grapeseed Oil
• Coconut Oil (heat method only)

For culinary or internal use (don’t add essential oils to the infused oil):

• Olive oil
• Coconut oil

Watch The Video Tutorial:

FAQ

Can I add essential oils to my peppermint-infused oil?

Yes, if you’re using the peppermint oil topically, you can enhance its properties by adding 1-2 drops of pure essential oils such as peppermint, lavender, or wintergreen.

How can I use peppermint oil topically? 

Peppermint oil can be used in various ways including as a massage oil, in homemade diy project like lip balm and body butter, or mixed with rosemary oil as a scalp serum. 

Can peppermint oil be used in culinary recipes?

Yes, peppermint-infused oil can be used in culinary recipes as long as it’s infused in an edible carrier oil and no essential oils are added to the infused oil. 

What are the best carrier oils to use for peppermint oil?

For topical use, you can use jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, grapeseed oil, or coconut oil (using the heat infusion method only). For culinary or internal use, use olive oil or coconut oil.

What is the shelf life of peppermint oil?

This infused oil should be used within 6 months for best results. You can refrigerate the oil or add vitamin e to extend the shelf life. 

Related Recipes:

• How To Make Lavender Oil
• DIY Peppermint Extract
• How To Make Oregano Oil

PrintLinks on this page may be affiliate links, for which the site earns a small commission, but the price for you is the same