Can You Put Menthol Crystals in a Humidifier?

Menthol crystals are the crystallized version of peppermint essential oil. The essential oil is cooled to a specific temperature so that it thickens and forms menthol crystals.

Menthol crystals are mainly used in vapor therapy to treat stuffy noses, coughs, and other cold symptoms. They’re also popular in aromatherapy as they can relieve stress and anxiety. The menthol crystals are more concentrated than the peppermint oil, so you need to use them in small amounts.

If you have a humidifier, you have probably thought about putting menthol crystals in your humidifier. You can assume that menthol vapor will help you feel better, especially during flu season.

Let’s find out!

Can I Put Menthol Crystals in My Humidifier?

Yes, you can put menthol crystals in your humidifier, but you should consider the consequences that are similar to those of using essential oils in your humidifier.

It’s recommended to only use distilled water in your humidifier to make it last longer. However, you can consider adding menthol crystals to your humidifier.

However, you should keep in mind that your humidifier won’t have the full effect compared to a diffuser. Diffusers are primarily used to scent your room and provide good aromatherapy without changing the humidity. Humidifiers increase the moisture content of your room to get rid of the dry feeling, especially in hot summers and harsh winters.

The primary purpose of a diffuser is to disperse the essential oils in the air. However, if you don’t have a diffuser and want to stick with your humidifier, there are a few things you should consider before adding menthol crystals.

• It would be better to put the menthol crystals in a warm mist humidifier. These have internal heating elements that bring the water to a boil so that the crystals can dissolve. The warm mist humidifier will then emit a soothing minty mist. However, if you use it in the summer, it can get uncomfortable due to the warm setting.
• Secondly, you may not get the expected result. Inhaling menthol from a bowl seems more effective than using it with a humidifier. This is because the humidifier releases the mist over a wider area, which may not be as effective for your cold symptoms. Nonetheless, the minty aroma mist can provide you with some aromatherapy benefits.
• If you add additives like menthol crystals to the distilled water in your humidifiers, your device will break down over time. Menthol crystals are a crystallized form of peppermint essential oil that can damage or even dissolve the plastic of the water tank and coat the device with the oil. Over time, the plastic of the humidifier will wear down. Most importantly, clean your humidifier frequently to reduce the likelihood of your unit breaking down.
• Finally, you need to ensure you put the right amount of menthol crystals in the water tank. Otherwise, the oil residue will be difficult to clean.

So, if you’re willing to clean the water tank of your humidifier with vinegar more frequently, it’s not a problem to add menthol crystals to your humidifier as long as you don’t overdo it. It would be recommended that you use menthol crystals only when needed.

Why Would You Want to Put Menthol Crystals in Your Humidifier?

Menthol crystals are admirable for their many benefits. Menthol vapor is one of the best home remedies for cold symptoms. Let’s dive into the benefits of menthol crystals so you can understand why using them with your humidifier can be helpful.

• Menthol crystals are known to instantly clear congested sinuses, fever symptoms, seasonal flu cough, headaches, and other cold symptoms. They can also eliminate the groggy feeling when you have a cold.
• In aromatherapy, they’re also used for mood elevation and stress relief. They can stabilize your emotional mood swings and relax you.
• If you feel dizzy or nauseous, menthol crystals can be beneficial.
• The soothing mint mist will help you feel calm and at ease.
• If you’re struggling with sinuses, menthol in your humidifier can help you clear sinus congestion. That’s because the minty moisture in the air helps thin the mucus in your sinuses.
• Menthol crystals are also good for your skin. It’s said that menthol vapors can help with blackheads and clogged pores on your skin. However, make sure you use a minimal amount of menthol in this case, as it could irritate your skin.
• Finally, an aromatic environment can simply be therapeutic.

These main reasons might convince you to use menthol crystals in your humidifier.

Shopping for a New Humidifier?

If you are shopping for a new humidifier, here are 3 popular models you should consider – ultrasonic cool mist humidifier from AquaOasis, classic warm mist humidifier from Vicks, and feature-rich warm and cool mist humidifier with smart features from Levoit.

AquaOasis™ Cool Mist Quiet Ultrasonic HumidifierCHECK PRICEVicks Warm Mist Humidifier for Small to Medium Size RoomCHECK PRICELEVOIT LV600S Large Warm and Cool Mist Ultrasonic HumidifierCHECK PRICE

How Much Menthol Crystals Should Be Put in Humidifier?

You should start with only a few crystals and then increase the amount if necessary.

Menthol crystals are very concentrated because they’re crystallized. You must pay attention to the amount you use. Despite all the benefits of menthol crystals, they have some pitfalls if not used wisely.

The main disadvantages of menthol crystals are:

• Some people may experience eye and skin inflammation due to menthol fumes.
• If used in a concentrated amount, it can even cause a chemical burn. This is especially true if you inhale concentrated menthol vapor from a bowl.
• You could get allergic reactions, so test it before using it in your humidifier.

Therefore, it’s recommended to start with a minimal amount of menthol crystals in the water tank.

First, if you don’t start with small amounts, the mist can become very concentrated and cause headaches and allergic reactions. This can ultimately backfire and cause you discomfort.

Secondly, if you put a large number of menthol crystals into the water tank of the humidifier, it’ll be very difficult to remove the oil residue, and your humidifier will eventually break. Therefore, put only a few crystals into the water to be safe.

Conclusion

You can indeed add menthol crystals to your humidifier. Still, you’ll have to invest more time in maintaining the device. However, if you use menthol occasionally when you need it, it shouldn’t be a problem.

To be on the safe side, I suggest avoiding exceeding the recommended number of menthol crystals in the water tank.