I was wondering if it is possible to mentholate a tone without alcohol.
I've heard of crystal meth, but not the reverse.
Just kidding. Where can you buy the menthol crystals?
I've heard of crystal meth, but not the reverse.
Just kidding. Where can you buy the menthol crystals?
Sounds like you're setting up your own menth lab....If you get some menthol crystals, they will melt around 100-110 degrees F (or something like that), easily within reach of most faucets. What I have done in the past is set the bottle of whatever in water of the correct temperature, let the mixture heat up a bit, then add a crystal or two and let it melt- it may take some time. I shake it energetically until it is cool, hopefully to distribute the menthol- perhaps a blender of some sort would be superior.
They are soluable in alcohol, but obviously you are trying to avoid that, so you may need an emulsifier of some sort- even after they melt, they are supposed to be mostly insoluable in water or glycerine. I can't help with that part- I just shake the container until it is cool, hoping that when the mentol re-crystallizes at room temperature it does so in the smallest possible crystals. Maybe if you add a thickener of some sort after the crystals dissolve and before they re-crystallize (like guar or xantham gum, or a thicker ingredient like aloe juice) it will help keep the crystals in suspension better?
I've never tried it without at least some alcohol in the mix, but menthol crystals are relatively inexpensive and it might be worth a try. If you try this I recommend adding the menthol little by little. Too much can be rather intense and uncomfortable. This is the voice of experience...