NOTE: The photo shown for this product is not an exact representation of the product which is made up of clear, almost transparent shards of various lengths and widths. (posted 8/15/22)
These crystals offer a wonderful, penetrating odor resembling that of peppermint. A little goes a long way! The crystals are soluble in alcohol, essential oils and vegetable/nut oils. The crystals contains not less than 99.4% menthol. The crystals are extracted by freezing the oil of Mentha Arvensis and are produced without synthetic solvents. Suggested uses: Add some crystals to a warm carrier oil and use as an invigorating massage rub, great for sprains and cramps. Put some crystals in a small container and inhale them as a nasal decongestant as needed, do not place near the eyes.
Sold by weight. Menthol Crystals (from Mentha arvensis), steam distilled. These are clear, colorless, crystals/shards/stones with a wonderful, penetrating odor resembling that of peppermint. The crystals are soluble in alcohol, essential oils and vegetable/nut oils, but almost insoluble in water and glycerin. The use of Polysorbate 20 is recommended for water applications (1 part menthol to 3-4 parts Polysorbate 20). Melting point 41 C to 44 C (105.8 F to 111.2 F), boils at 212 C (413.6 F). Menthol crystals start to evaporate at 21 C (70 F). The crystals contains not less than 99.4% menthol.
WHAT YOU MAY EXPECT DURING HOT TRANSPORT TEMPERATURES: You may find that the loose crystals have melted while in transit to you, they may arrive totally or partially liquid. Place the container in a cool place and the product will quickly return to a partially solid form. You will not be able to re-create the crystals as shipped by us, the product will now be a partially solid product which you must break up by banging on a counter the plastic bag in which they were shipped or by gently hitting the bag with a rubber mallet. We will not accept returns because you received melted, partially melted or solid menthol crystals NOT in loose crystal form. We have no control over temperatures while in transit to you, when this product left our air-conditioned warehouse it was in its loose usual form. Be sure you understand this before you order during hot weather, we are located in hot SW Florida.
Sizes of the crystals: Pieces are in small, medium and large crystal form. We will not accept returns because you believe you can’t work with this product in the sizes of the pieces provided. If this concerns you, we suggest you initially order a small amount of this product so you can see it firsthand; however, what you may receive today may not resemble what you may receive weeks later. Menthol is the chief constituent of mint oil; it is responsible for its odor and taste and the "cooling sensation" when applied to the skin and mucosal surfaces. Mentha piperita contains up to 50% menthol and Mentha arvensis contains 70-80% menthol. Menthol crystals should be kept in a cool place in a well-capped container. Menthol is obtained by subjecting the distilled oil of mint to a temperature of -22 C, (-7.6 F.) by the aid of a freezing mixture. The menthol crystallizes out in satiny crystals and the mother liquor is removed while the low temperature is maintained.
Menthol and its derivatives can also be added to various peppermint-type compositions to enhance the cooling and freshening effects. Menthol is used in pharmaceutical, confectionery and flavoring industries. In ointments, liniments, and solutions menthol crystals are employed in strengths ranging from 5 to 20 per cent. The crystals are commonly applied to cosmetics, salves and balms which are created to assist in coughs, congestion, upper respiratory problems, and the flu. Menthol crystals are great inhalants by themselves and are easily combined into recipes. Add several drops to a bowl of hot, steamy water and carefully inhale the soothing vapors through the mouth and nose for stuffiness and bronchitis. Once you have converted the crystals to liquid, use a few drops on the tiles of the walls surrounding your shower (not on the floor!) and the menthol will be released by the steam created by the hot water. Externally, it is employed as a local analgesic. Diluted and rubbed on the skin, it produces a sensation of cold, followed by numbness and partial anesthesia; it first stimulates the nerves, conveying the sensation of cold, and later penetrates the skin and paralyzes the nerve endings. Known ingredients of Vicks VapoRub: Camphor, menthol, eucalyptus, cedarleaf, nutmeg, thymol and turpentine.
Because menthol and alcohol are very strong it is important to keep the temp no higher than 41deg. C (106 deg. F). Menthol crystals start to evaporate at 21 deg. C (70 deg. F) so you will get a whiff just before they hit that melt point. Best to remove and let them finish melting off heat to avoid the vapors.
If used in soapmaking, it might be best to put them in the oil phase so that they don't interfere with the action of the lye in the water phase. In whatever recipe you will use menthol crystals, make sure they are well stirred and dissolved to avoid skin reactions.
Statement from the manufacturer of our Menthol Crystals: Menthol Crystals manufactured and supplied by us are 100% natural and pure. The crystals are extracted by freezing the oil of Mentha Arvensis. Our Menthol crystals are not synthetic and are produced without synthetic solvents. The crystals do not contain any chemicals, pesticides or alcohol, they're GMO free. Country of origin: India
Certificate of Analysis (CofA) and Safety Data Sheet (SDS). We publish on our website those documents for most of our products, some products don't provide either because the product doesn't require it. In this same section where you're at now, look to the tab to the left titled Documents, click on it and that's where you'll find either document for the product you seek. If you do not find the document you require, please email us at customerservice@camdengrey.com so we can research further.
BULK ITEMS: When a customer adds a bulk item to the cart, the customer’s immediately shown on the screen how many number of days should be allowed for the bulk product to arrive at our warehouse. If the bulk item happens to be in stock, we’ll ship sooner than the customer would expect. As we emerge from Covid, logistics operations are not yet back to normal, what used to arrive at our warehouse in 3 days now takes much longer. Should a vendor inform us the ordered product will take longer than what’s mentioned on our website we’ll email the customer with the latest information.
TERMINOLOGY:
EO = essential oil
FO = fragrance oil
HOW PRODUCTS ARE DISPENSED...
BOTTLING/PACKAGING:
Essential oils: in 1/32 oz. to 1/4 oz...amber glass vials with orifice reducers. ½ oz. to 2 oz...in amber glass bottles with white caps and Eurodroppers...3 to 4 oz. in amber glass bottles with black caps and without orifice reducers...7 oz. in aluminum bottles...15 oz. in amber glass bottles with black caps...10 & 25 lbs. in HDPE plastic containers with wide mouths although, occasionally, 25 lbs. may be dispensed in factory-issued metal containers with pouring spouts.
28 lbs. of carrier oils and other liquids are dispensed in individual HDPE plastic gallon containers with handles, each holds the purchased net weight of liquid.
30+ lbs. of carrier oils, other liquids, soft butters, Castile gel and other products are dispensed in plastic HDPE pails w/metal handles & pouring spouts in the lid; those products may remain inside the pails indefinitely when properly stored. After Covid, we reserve the right to use any packaging/dispensing container available to us and not mentioned above because it continues to be difficult many times to restock the same packaging container or material used in the past.
NOTE: An EO may safely remain inside an aluminum container for up to 3 months, but if storing longer than 3 months the oil should be transferred to amber glass. Fragrances and carrier oils up to 8 lbs. may remain inside HDPE plastic bottles indefinitely. If the customer at any time feels more comfortable transferring a product to glass this should be done. ALL PRODUCTS ARE DISPENSED BY WEIGHT, THUS, SOME CONTAINERS MAY BE FILLED HIGHER THAN OTHERS DEPENDING ON THE WEIGHT AND VISCOSITY OF EACH PRODUCT.
Raw materials/ingredients are dispensed by weight. Many customers ask how many ounces in a pound, there are 16 ounces in one pound. These are not fluid ounces, they are ounces by weight.
HOW TO STORE: EOs, FOs and BUTTERS should be stored in tightly-sealed containers away from direct light and heat. Some EOs could be highly flammable, keep away from open flames. Keep all liquids and powders you purchase from Camden-Grey tightly capped and away from the reach of children, the elderly or infirm and pets. Refrigerating butters could adversely affect the consistency of the butter, please join our Forum if you need to learn how to handle, work with and store products. The link is towards the top right green section of our pages.
(Rev. 6/13/23)