I've actually tried activated charcoal before when I had a batch of lavender oil turn out kinda funky. It wasn't a miracle fix, but it definitely toned down the weirdness after a couple days. I'd say it's worth a shot if you've already got some around—worst case, you're only out a few bucks. Either way, don't stress too much...homemade stuff can be tricky, and you're doing great just experimenting and learning as you go.
Activated charcoal's a solid tip—it's basically the baking soda of the herbal world, haha. If the smell's still lingering, you might also try diluting it with a neutral carrier oil. Worked wonders for my peppermint disaster...my kitchen smelled like toothpaste for days.
Activated charcoal definitely helps, I've used it myself a few times. Diluting with a neutral oil is also a sensible suggestion, especially if the scent is overpowering. I'd just add a note of caution—be careful with the carrier oil you choose. Some oils, even neutral ones, can leave behind their own subtle odors or residues that might interact oddly with your original herbal extraction. I once tried grapeseed oil to tone down a strong clove tincture, and while it did help initially, after a day or two the combination developed an unexpected scent that was...less than pleasant. Maybe test a small batch first before committing to diluting the whole thing? Just to be safe.
"Maybe test a small batch first before committing to diluting the whole thing? Just to be safe."
Yeah, that's solid advice. Another thing you might try—especially if it's just the smell that's off—is letting it sit uncovered for a bit in a well-ventilated spot. Sometimes tinctures mellow out naturally after some airing. I had a homemade peppermint oil once that was way too sharp at first, but after leaving it open overnight, it calmed down nicely. Worth a shot maybe?
Good point about airing it out, but wouldn't leaving it uncovered overnight risk contamination or evaporation of active ingredients? I've always kept mine covered loosely with cheesecloth—seems safer. Anyone else tried that?
