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How to Use Menthol Crystals and Make Homemade Menthol Rub

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This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

If you want a natural wake-me-up-and-keep-me-going remedy, menthol crystals are waiting for you. This is Janice here with my favorite ways to use menthol crystals. This post is sponsored by EuroSpa so extra thanks for reading and sharing. And please note, we are not making any medical or therapeutic claims. We are just sharing our personal experiences.

Menthol Crystals Macro

I am allergic to caffeine.

Not in a “I have been tested and I am allergic” way. But in a “when I consume caffeine bad things happen in my belly” kind of way.

And it is tragic.

Because really — sometimes we all just need a little extra help to wake up our brains and get our day going, (or force it to keep going.)

Since I can’t dip into the caffeine bowl, I try all kinds of healthier ways to help wake me up in the morning and keep me awake in the afternoon.

Discovering Eucalyptus ShowerMist by EuroSpa Aromatics was a revelation for me.

I loathe mornings, but a few spritzes of Eucalyptus ShowerMist transforms my daily shower into an invigorating spa-like experience. May I never have to shower without eucalyptus oil again…

Now I Have Menthol Crystals Too

Now I don’t just have eucalyptus waking me up during my morning showers.

I have added Menthol Crystals from EuroSpa to my “refresh my brain and keep me awake” natural remedies.

And I can use it any time of the day…

Right now, I am breathing in a fine mentholated mist while I work at my desk. I simply sprinkled some menthol crystals into the water in my essential oil diffuser.

When I am not using my diffuser, I often just open a jar of menthol crystals and take a few deep breathes or leave the jar open next to me as I work. The menthol gives me a cool rush of wake-me-up that seems to open up my airways and make me feel a bit more alive.

How to Make Homemade Menthol Rub

Menthol is an organic compound made from peppermint or other mint oils.

Menthol Crystals Macro

Menthol crystals, which are a clear or white crystalline substance, are solid at room temperature and melt just above room temperature, making it easy to add to liquids such as warm water or warm coconut oil to create mentholated preparations.

One of my favorite ways to use menthol crystals is to add some crystals to melted coconut oil to make an invigorating oil that is perfect for massaging as a menthol rub, for moisturizing either in or out of the bath and shower, and for shaving.

You can make your menthol rub with just coconut oil and menthol crystals, or you can make a more elaborate mixture by adding in beeswax, cocoa butter or shea butter, and other essential oils such as eucalyptus, peppermint, or tea tree.

Homemade Menthol Rub

Whatever you choose to add to your menthol rub, the preparation is super simple.

  1. Heat your coconut oil gently to melt it
  2. Optional – add in butters and/or beeswax and stir together until mixture is melted and combined
  3. Allow to cool slightly – you don’t want to add oils to any preparation that is hot
  4. Stir in menthol crystals and other desired oils

Your measurements can vary according to your personal preferences. For a stronger mentholated rub, you will obviously want to use more menthol crystals and oils.

For a gentler cream that you will use in the shower to shave and moisturize, you will want to use less. I use about 1-2 teaspoons with about a cup of coconut oil.

Remember that if you use your menthol cream in the shower or bath it will intensify with the hot water.

PLEASE NOTE that you do NOT want to get menthol in your eyes! Be very careful when touching the crystals and wash your hands before touching your face or eyes. And please keep menthol crystals away from children.

My 5 Top Five Ways to Use Menthol Crystals

1. Menthol Rub and Cream

As I described above, my favorite way to use menthol crystals is to melt them in coconut oil and use as a multi-purpose moisturizing rub/cream.

I use this mentholated coconut oil in and out of the bath and shower. I massage it into my tired feet at the end of the day. I moisturize my body and shave in the shower with it.

How to Make Menthol Rub

I even use it as a lotion on my dry skin, allowing it to soak into my skin and then gently toweling off any excess oil so it doesn’t stain my clothes.

2. In My Diffuser

I am constantly diffusing essential oils. I love the many calming effects of aromatherapy.

So I often choose to diffuse menthol crystals to create a fine mist pick-me-up as I work at my desk. I just add several crystals to the water in my essential oil diffuser.

3. In the Bath

For a bath that will help clear my sinuses and soothe my muscles, I add a teaspoon of menthol crystals to the bath water. Simple, effective, and luxurious.

4. As a Steam

When I am really congested, a bowl of hot, steaming water with a touch of menthol crystals creates a great steam to clear out sinuses before bed.

5. In the Jar

Yes, I often just pick up my jar of menthol crystals, open the lid and breathe deeply for an instant pick-me-up. Then, I leave the open jar next to me gently infuse the air.

Menthol Crystals EuroSpa Aromatics

 

PIN FOR LATER…

Homemade Menthol Rub

 

Menthol Crystals Uses

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by EuroSpa. Our opinions are always our 100% own.
Written and photographed by Janice Croze, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom.
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/

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115 Comments

  3. The following time I learn a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as a lot as this one. I imply, I do know it was my choice to read, however I really thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you could fix in case you werent too busy in search of attention.

    Reply

    • Noooo, no, no, no, no, no. Taken from poison.org

      “The cooling is an interaction on the molecular level with our calcium channels. Receptors that are responsible for feeling cold are triggered by menthol’s effects on calcium channels and a cooling sensation occurs. There are calcium channels in cell walls throughout our bodies, and that is why we can see systemic toxicity after swallowing or inhaling concentrated amounts of menthol. Serious effects include seizures, coma, and death.”

      From https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4830155/.

      “Orally, the lethal dose has been estimated as 50–150 mg/kg.[2] Several adverse effects of peppermint oil have been reported that include dermatitis, cheilitis, mouth ulceration, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bradycardia, and tremor. Chronic exposure to menthol ingestion has been reported in the USA and is associated with cutaneous, gastrointestinal, and neurological manifestations.[3] A high dose of peppermint oil ingestion was also reported where the patient presented in transient shock, hematuria, renal, and respiratory failure.[4] Renal dysfunction is common probably because of interstitial nephritis. An excessive amount of menthol is also reported to have caused agitation, dizziness, ataxia, hallucination, convulsion, and coma.[5] There is no specific antidote available for menthol poisoning. The management includes gastrointestinal decontamination, oral activated charcoal along with other supportive measures. Complications such as seizure, respiratory failure, renal dysfunction, and shock should be managed accordingly. Prognosis in menthol poisoning depends on the dose of ingestion, duration of exposure, and how quickly the medical treatment is provided to the patient.”

      Reply

  5. Is that much menthol blended with peppermint and camphor alright to use in an 8 ounce batch? I make solid lotion bars and have a request to add menthol for muscle rub/arthritis. (Customer specifically requested the blend.)

    Reply

  23. No, I haven’t but these are great! I found out by accident that sucking on a menthol cough drop helps to wake me up a bit in the morning if needed! Thanks and God bless!

    Reply

  41. I have never heard of menthol crystals but I would love to try them. I buy Vicks vapor rub and I have some tablets that you put in the shower.

    Reply

  47. Never, but have heard of and used menthol to help with colds. Never thought of using it for waking me up in the morning, but anything would help as I’m trying to cut back on caffeine.

    Reply

  48. No, I have never heard of them, but I love the smell of menthol and would love to use them in my diffuser.

    Reply

  55. I have not heard of these, but they are very interesting! I use a Vick’s inhaler stick all the time, but this seems like a great and safer alternative.

    Reply

  61. I have never heard of menthol crystals but a once when I got a facial the lady dabbed menthol oil behind my ears and I LOVED it. Thanks 🙂

    Reply

  65. I’ve never heard of it before, but now I’m thoroughly intrigued and would like to not only learn more, but experience it for myself.

    Reply

  74. I have never heard of anything like this before, but it sounds interesting and I would love to try it!

    Reply

  78. I also have problems with caffeine, it does not mix well with some of my medications. I love any chance for a natural solution!

    Reply

  79. No, I’ve never heard of menthol crystals before! I love menthol products for our family, though, so this is right up my alley!

    Reply

  81. No, I had never heard of them. They sounds great for cold season when I’m feeling all stuffy.

    Reply

  86. I have never heard of menthol crystals but love the smell of menthol I remember when I was a kid my mother rubbing vicks on my chest whenever I got sick I have asthma and menthol always makes me feel better

    Reply

  87. I have heard of Menthol Crystals, but I have not used them before. I would be really excited to try them. I have a lot of chronic pain and would love to make a cream with these to help.

    Reply

  88. I have never heard of these crystals. I find it very interesting and something I would like to get for my mom as well. She is going thru a very difficult time right now and I think this would be something get to get her.. that you for sharing this.

    Reply

  93. I’ve used menthol crystals for years as a way to clear sinuses and alleviate congestion from colds. I boil water in a small pot over the stove (or fill the sink with super hot tap water) then drop in a crystal (a little goes a long way!) Then I drape a small towel over my head as a “tent” and lean over and breathe in. Wonderful stuff, though I’m fresh out of menthol crystals right now!

    Reply

  95. I’ve never heard of using menthol crystals before, but I’ll try them for my sinuses and sinus headaches.

    Reply

  96. I didn’t realize that menthol came in crystallized form. Actually I really wasn’t even sure what menthol was other than the stuff in Vick’s Vaporub.

    Reply

  98. I had to do a double-take because I was like “What in the world is that?!” – I have never heard of seen of these in my life. I would love to try them though! My Name is Crystal so it seems to be quite fitting :p

    Reply

  103. Never heard of it, that’s why I find blogs with giveaways to discover things like this, and this will help me with my sinus .

    Reply

  106. I have never had the opportunity to use them before, but after reading your blog i would be very excited to try them!! The benefits look amazing!!!

    Reply

  110. I have heard of menthol before (like in rubs for when you have a cold), but I hadn’t heard of the crystals. I love that you can use them for so many things.

    Reply