Menthol crystals

[smokindeuce]

Having read that thread too - I also became slightly concerned..

However it is interesting that one of the main uses for these crystals is to inhale as steam to relieve congestion etc.

Quote from label:

'Suitable for use in aromatherapy. Directions: Add a few crystals to a small bowl of hot (not boiling) water. A powerful vapour is produced.
Cautions: The crystals are irritating to skin. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. If swallowed seek medical advice immediately.'

Perhaps the difference is in the delivery and when inhaling from an ecig, you get a far more concentrated dose of menthol than you would from a steam inhalation.

Bad luck Darcy - might be worth giving it up for now - it certainly seems to be linked to your breathing problems. I must admit, I didn't get this problem with the crystals, but I've never been asthmatic.

P.S. Happy New Year to one and all!!!

[SpaceCadet]

Just ordered some menthol crystals on ebay today, 25g for £2.50 delivered, not too bad! I see in the UK, Chemist Direct sells them online, but you only get 5g for £1.34 and there's £2.95 delivery on top - thieves!

[Keltrey]

Correct me if I'm wrong.. I thought that menthol crystals were what made menthol cigs crystalize your lungs.

Wouldn't that be one of those things that we should be avoiding as a health issue? I know I smoked menthol for years, but with going electronic and attempting to minimize the health risk couldn't the damage be just as bad?

[Silk]

I've been using menthol crystals for MANY years, originally for minting up tobacco and filters for hand rolling a long time before tobacconists were selling menthol filters. I got the idea from an old boss , when I was doing my aprenticeship in Scotland, who had done the same for his National Service issue cigarettes.

I've always bought my crystals from a chemist 5g for about 80p and 5g is a lot of crystals, used to do me for at least 3 months. You sometimes have to ask for them, but all should have them.

Nuking liquid with crystals in, 10 second bursts should do it.

For dispersing in alchohol - I use distillers vodka or gin as it tends to be the least messed around with (and cheap) I'm liking the gin as a mixer for glycerine as I like the hint of juniper

I am an ex-asthma sufferer (bronchial that vanished when I started smoking) and have never had breathing problems from using them, well... maybe when I have been a bit heavy handed and got a crystal in my ciggy - like everything else it is best to be a little conservative rather than generous. Your initial temptation is to go for a nice heady mix (anyone remember Belair cigarettes? used to be quite powerful) but it is safer to use less.

One thought - menthol works by opening the airways to improve your breathing rate - so you could be inhaling more vapour than normal, if mixed with pg that could result in drying your lungs/airways out a little which could feel restrictive. They might be better with VG.

[Keltrey]

Thank you Silk! I will try them

[SpaceCadet]

I've found dropping very small crystals into liquid and just leaving it to dissolve (no warming needed) works a treat. I've now 'rescued' 2 bottles of not-menthol-enough liquid this way - I do so hate to waste anything! No need with TW, but my Janty and E-cigs juice needed it to be truly useable for me.

[walkman4169]

Originally Posted by SpaceCadet

I've found dropping very small crystals into liquid and just leaving it to dissolve (no warming needed) works a treat. I've now 'rescued' 2 bottles of not-menthol-enough liquid this way - I do so hate to waste anything! No need with TW, but my Janty and E-cigs juice needed it to be truly useable for me.

what brand of analog would you compare the taste to ?

[kinabaloo]

I find that no matter how much i put in, it is never strong enough, never as strong as say a Hall's mentholyptus. So ive given up getting a good methol vape and just use menthol as a topnote/backnote.

[The Wiz]

Wow.....Just mixed my first batch of 0 nic using menthol crystals. 2ml PG 2ml VG and two Very small crystals.This is some great stuff.Nice menthol taste(not quite Puresmokers cash menthol taste),but it definetly close.Nice throat hit and good vapor.I used Katy's method of microwaving to disolve the crystals(5 sec for 4 ml),worked well.I wish I would have tried this sooner.....think this will become my mainstay 0 nic from now on!The Wiz!

[taz3cat]

I never heat my mentol crystals I just drop them in my pg juice and they melt in about 2 hours without any help.