Mint definitely helps mask weird smells, but I've also had luck with citrus peels—especially lemon or orange. They seem to neutralize funky odors pretty well. Once I made a lavender tincture that ended up way too strong and had this weird medicinal smell. Diluting helped a bit, but adding a few strips of lemon peel and letting it sit for another week really mellowed it out nicely.
Also, temperature can make a difference. Sometimes gently warming the mixture (like placing the jar in warm water for a bit) can help evaporate off some of the harsher notes. Just gotta be careful not to overheat and ruin the good stuff.
Honestly, though, sometimes it's just trial and error. I've definitely had batches that were beyond saving... but it's always worth experimenting a little before tossing it completely.
"Sometimes gently warming the mixture (like placing the jar in warm water for a bit) can help evaporate off some of the harsher notes."
That's a good point—gentle heat can really make a difference. I've also found that adding a pinch of baking soda sometimes neutralizes stubborn odors without affecting the herbal properties too much... worth a shot before giving up completely.
"I've also found that adding a pinch of baking soda sometimes neutralizes stubborn odors without affecting the herbal properties too much..."
That's an interesting suggestion, though I'd be cautious with baking soda, especially if you're aiming for medicinal or therapeutic purposes. Baking soda can slightly alter the pH of your mixture, and some herbal compounds are sensitive to changes in acidity. If you're dealing with stubborn odors or overly strong herbal extracts, another gentle method is to let the mixture sit uncovered in a cool, dark place for a day or two. This allows volatile compounds responsible for harsh smells to dissipate naturally without compromising potency. Also, sometimes simply diluting the extract with a neutral carrier oil (like jojoba or almond) can soften those overly intense aromas. I've had success with this approach myself—just takes a bit of patience and experimentation to find the right balance.
That's an interesting suggestion, though I'd be cautious with baking soda, especially if you're aiming for medicinal or therapeutic purposes.
I've tried the baking soda trick before, but honestly, it made my tincture taste kinda off—like weirdly salty? Maybe I used too much, idk. Now I just dilute with almond oil or let it air out a bit, works better for me.
Yeah, baking soda can be tricky—especially taste-wise. Diluting with almond oil sounds like a safer bet. Just be careful with acidity levels, your teeth might thank you later...
