Extratcing Spearmint?

[Yellow]

My spearmint plant seems ready to be extracted from! I have searched on google and I haven't learned very much at all. Every time I search for it, I receive stuff about spearmint extract. No good. I've got a little idea, I guess. I would appreciate it if anyone here can offer me a little insight into the art of spearmint extraction! Thank you!

[Linn]

I am not sure what you want to do,
but if you want to preserve the volatile ingredients w/o the salts and bitter properties you can do so easily by the cold extraction method:

put 2 0z of the herb to a pint of cold water in a non metal pot.Let stand for 12 hours, strain. Mix w/ sugar or honey if desired.

TEA??? : dry the leaves and use for tea.

There is also tinctures, Infusions (tea made w/ fresh leaves), Decoction,
Powder, Syrup, Essence, ointment, etc...

[Yellow]

Thanks!

How about if I just wanted like the oil I guess it's called. I read you're supposed to mix it with alcohol or something?

[Linn]

well if you add alcohol it will preserve it for a long time.
Thats usualy put in the extracts you buy in the grocery store.

To make oil, however you soak fresh herb/flowers in olive,safflower etc oil for about two days, strain and keep in tight sealed container.
Glass canning jars are good if you are making a lot. I guess you can add alcholol.

These are just old fashioned ways of making herbals at home.
If you are interested in serious essential oil production, you need to have a distiller.