How to Get the Oil Out of Peppermint Plants

The best time to harvest peppermint plants to extract their essential oil is before they've begun flowering. That's when the highest concentration of natural oil is present. Although many people use only the leaves, any part of the peppermint plant growing above the ground is suitable for extracting the oil. Making your own peppermint oil is very easy, and you won't need fancy, expensive equipment to do it. Although it's always best to pick your herbs fresh, you can buy bunches of peppermint from most grocery and health food retailers. You'll need enough to firmly pack four measuring cups.

Shears or scissors
Sealable plastic food storage bags
Kitchen mallet
Clear glass quart jar with tight-fitting lid
Grapeseed, almond, coconut or olive oil
Coffee filters or cheesecloth

Instructions

- 1
  Harvest your own peppermint plants by snipping the stems with shears or scissors. Don't worry about taking too much from each plant. You can't hurt them. If you're cutting from a wild patch, try not to take more than ¼ to 1/3 of the existing stems. Shake the cut peppermint to knock off any insects.
- 2
  Rinse the peppermint under cool-running water to remove dirt and debris. Let it drain well for a half-hour, and then shake it free of excess water droplets.
- 3
  Cut the stems and leaves into 1-inch lengths, and seal them in a plastic food storage bag. Gently strike the bag of peppermint repeatedly with a kitchen mallet to bruise the plant material, being careful not to crush it into a gooey mess. Gently damaging the stems and leaves will begin to release their essence.
- 4
  Pour the peppermint into a clear glass quart jar. Add 1 cup of grapeseed, almond, coconut or olive oil. Squash the plant material in more tightly if you need more room. It's important that the jar be completely full once the oil has been added. Cap the container tightly and shake it well. Set it outside in the sun for four to five weeks. Shake it once or twice every day.
- 5
  Strain the peppermint oil through a couple of coffee filters or some cheesecloth. Add the plant material to your composter.
- 6
  Store your homemade peppermint oil in a cool, dark place for three to six months.

How to Extract Oil From Mint

How to Hang an Herb Garden

Herb Basics