how to make peppermint essential oil peppermint essential oil is derived from the peppermint plant it is widely used in many products because its main ingredient menthol has therapeutic benefits it is very popular for aromatherapy because the smell of peppermint increases mental alertness and improves concentration and memory this is most useful for those who are studying working or driving long distances it is also very easy and cost-effective to make on your own here are the steps for how to make peppermint essential oil 1 prepare the ingredients gather enough peppermint to make the oil the best time to gather it is before the plant starts flowering harvest in the morning after the dew has dried and the Sun is still rising up in the sky the leaves and stems of the peppermint plant can be used to make the essential oil but you should just use the leaves so your plants won't die pick leaves that are free from imperfections like dark spots and bruises if you don't have your own peppermint plants buy a fresh bunch from the market wash them with cool water and let them air dry on a flat surface aside from the leaves you will also need a carrier or base oil a mallet or similar tool cheesecloth in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid the carrier or base oil is used to absorb the oil from the peppermint plant so choose a lightly scented oil try almond oil wheat germ oil or grapeseed oil to prepare the peppermint essential oil using a mallet mortar meat tenderizer hammer or similar tool tap the peppermint leaves gently so that their oil is released do not overly bruise the leaves they shouldn't be falling apart because you'll need to remove them from the oil place the leaves in the jar pour the carrier oil on the leaves until the leaves are full covered shake the jar to help incorporate the peppermint oil in the base oil let the jar sit in a warm place out of direct sunlight after 24 hours strain the oil through a muslin cloth or cheesecloth remove all of the peppermint plant material from the oil and throw it away pound a fresh batch of peppermint leaves into the same peppermint infused oil in store for another 24 hours repeat straining the oil and putting new leaves for two to three days until the oil reaches the desired strength remember that the oil must be completely free of plant material to keep it from spoiling too fast now that you have learned how to make peppermint essential oil you can use the oil in a variety of ways if you make your own home products you can add a few drops of peppermint essential oil to the toothpaste lip balm salve or foot scrub that you've made if you used food grade oil as the base for the peppermint essential oil you can use it for cooking and baking food that would taste good with peppermint a drop on the tongue freshens up the breath quickly for healing purposes drops of peppermint oil on the temples forehead and neck help relieve a headache similarly rub some oil on your tummy to cure indigestion gas and tummy aches rubbing the oil on the bottoms of feet will help reduce fever the cooling effect of peppermint can also be experienced when you spritz yourself with water mixed with a few drops of peppermint oil inhaling the scent of peppermint or placing a drop below your nostrils will relieve congestion be warned that pregnant women should not use peppermint essential oil even just for massaging into the skin or inhaling its scent the scent can cause premature contractions and induce labor peppermint should also be kept away from babies either through application on the skin or inhalation since it is too strong for their fragile bodies