How to Make an Herbal Infused Oil (How to Infuse Herbs in Oils for Salves, Soaps, Cooking & Remedies)
If you want to make herbal salves, butters, balms, or culinary oils that double as medicinals, you need to infuse your herbs in oil first! Infusing medicinal and/or culinary herbs in oil is an excellent way to extract the medicinal components of the herb for use in your body care or culinary creations.
You’re going to love infusing herbs into oils! They are beautiful, and you can easily use the powers of herbs in this way. Here are the basics on how to make an herbal infused oil.
There are some important details you’ll need to know, but otherwise, infusing herbs in oil is simple, fun, useful, and interesting.
Why Infuse Herbs in Oil?
First of all the health benefits of natural oils infused with the powerful qualities of medicinal herbs for different reasons are many and varied.
Herbs such as calendula are extra soothing to the skin and are even often used in cosmetic commercial products because they are so helpful! Lavender affects your emotions positively, while adding a light antiseptic quality to the salve---great for acne or disrupted skin. Just two examples!
You can create an herb-infused oil that will do many different things, depending on the properties of the herbs you use. Some common properties of various herbs I use include being anti-microbial, skin soothing, anti-inflammatory, demulcent and calming, detoxifying, hemostatic, and SO many more.
I'm not going to go in depth on the qualities of different herbs in this post--that would be too long for one article.
**If you are interested in a particular herb, or a specific use, or are interested in learning how to use herbs in your daily life, request to join the private Facebook group: Practical Herbs with Heidi.
Herb infused oils are great to use for soap making, salves, body oils, and body butters. They are also wonderful for culinary use as long as both the herbs used and the oil are both edible.
Plus, they look pretty cool on your shelves too. I always get asked, "What is that?" with fingers pointing toward my herbal infusions. I love to explain, and people are always impressed with them!
Here's how to make a perfect infused herbal oil.
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Have you been wanting to make your own herb infused oils to create salves, body care products, or just to cook with? There are some important things you need to know, and here are the steps for how to make herbal infused oils. Herbal infusions in oil are so easy, but if you don’t do it right, you can end up with a mess! #howtomake #herbinfusedoil #infusedoil #herbalinfusion #medicinaloil #healingoil #healingharvesthomestead
What You Need to Make Herb Infused Oils
1) You'll need your herbs!
If you are not sure what herbs to use for what, you can check out some great herbal resources...or shoot me an email or comment below! You can also find out which are the best herbs to use in your handmade body care products right in this link.
For now, here are a few links to books I use a LOT and highly recommend for wonderful recipes for making products with infused oils:
Rosemary Gladstar's Medicinal Herbs, Dina Falconi's Earthly Bodies & Heavenly Hair, and Organic Body Care Recipes by Stephanie Tourles. Jan Berry's new book, 101 Easy Homemade Products for Your Skin, Health, & Home, is another favorite of mine! All of these have the author's ideas for which herbs to use for what.
You can also check out my eBook, Herbal Salves, Oils, Butters, & Balms for my favorite recipes you can make and keep on hand for medicinal and beauty uses.
For herbs I don't grow or wild craft myself, I purchase my herbs almost exclusively from Starwest Botanicals because of the excellent quality (organic & wildcrafted options), fast shipping, and reasonable pricing. The links below are for Amazon.
**Be sure to use DRIED herbs in your oil. If there is any moisture present, you stand the chance of mold forming, and this can get really stinky, making the oil go rancid!
Here are some wonderful herbs for you to consider starting out with: Calendula petals (I started with these first, and now I always have a jar infusing away in a sunny window), Lavender flowers, Roses (be certain these are organic because in some areas they are heavily sprayed), Comfrey, Plantain, Arnica, Cayenne...and there are SO many more.
2) You'll Need Carrier Oil(s) for Infusing Herbs for Salves & DIY Body Care Products
You can use all kinds of oils for infusing herbs to make salves, body oils and butters. Here are my 20 favorite oils and butters I use in my handmade soaps and salves, if you're interested.
Almond oil is lighter than olive oil, and very emollient. This means it soaks into the skin very quickly. If you are making a body oil for massage, this is the oil I recommend. Almond Oil has some really wonderful properties that help soften and smooth the skin.
Organic Olive Oil:
Olive Oil is one of the most healthy oils you can put on your skin. I won't get into the science and chemistry because you can look that up yourself, but it's just great for your outsides as much as your insides. I prefer olive oil for making salves. I don't use it much for body oils because it's rather thick and doesn't soak right into your skin like lighter oils do. (I always buy my EVOO at Costco because I have not found a better price. I always buy organic.)
If you are dealing with oily skin, then you might want to give Grapeseed oil a try! It's good for your skin, but it doesn't cause extra oiliness. It's even lighter than almond oil and absorbs very quickly.
The above are my personal favorites, but feel free to experiment! (Some people like to infuse coconut oil, but I choose to be careful with it---some people are allergic to it---like me.)
I generally purchase my oils and butters (other than EVOO--I buy the organic from Costco) from Amazon or Starwest Botanicals.
How to Make Herb Infused Oils for Healing and Cooking:
Directions for Method One (My Favorite) **This is the slow method:
Solar Infusion:
1. Pour your dried herb (single or blend) into a large glass jar.
I use these types of jars, depending on how much oil I plan to make: Quart wide-mouthed Mason jar, Half-Gallon Mason jar, and if I'm making a LOT of oil (like I do for making soap), then I'll use a gallon size glass jar.
Fill the jar one-third to one-half full of the herb.
2. Now pour your oil of choice over the herbs to within an inch or a little more from the top of the jar. Shake well. You may need to add a little more oil. Some herbs like to float to the top. That's ok. Most will settle to the bottom, and that's fine too.
3. Shake your oil daily or a few times a week. This just helps the herbs release their colors and chemical constituents.
4. Infuse in a sunny window (my preference). I believe the sun provides some really great energy to the infusion. Also, it will warm the oil, which helps the herbs release the plant chemicals more easily. Some herbalists prefer to infuse in a dark cupboard. I have personally never had a problem keeping mine in a window.
However, with that said, after about four to six weeks, I will move the jar to a darker place, just because the heat from the sun will bleach the herbs and eventually break down the chemical constituents in the herbs.
5. After about 4 to 6 weeks (I have left mine a lot longer, with no problems), just strain out the herbs. Bottle up the oil, then store away in a cool, dark, place. **If you infused your oils in a sunny window, you’ll want to store the strained infused oil in a dark place. The sun will also start degrading the oil after the plant matter is removed, so keep this in mind.
6. Double Infusion: If you want a stronger infusion, after straining out the herbs, just infuse the already infused oil another time with fresh herbs. You'll have a very strong infusion this way.
NOTE: Some herbalists prefer to keep their infusions in a dark cupboard. This is fine. I’m of the school of thought that the sun imparts extra energy, plus the slight heat speeds up the infusion process.
Method Two **This is the fast method:
Gentle Heat Using a Crockpot or Stove Top (Double Boiler):
Crockpot Option:
1. Using the same ratio of herbs to oil (1:3 or 1:2), combine the herbs and oil in a crockpot. Allow the herbs to soak in the oil on the LOW setting for several hours.
2. Strain, bottle and store in a dark place.
IMPORTANT NOTE: In my experience, the crockpot method tends to burn the herbs, and I have ended up with a kind of "crispy" smelling oil. This is NOT my favorite method, but if you are in a hurry and need the oil quickly, then go for it! You might have better luck than me! I hear others have!
ANOTHER IMPORTANT NOTE: I have heard some herbalists will treat their crockpot as a double boiler by placing a hot pad on the bottom of the crock pot. Then place the jar of oil and herb on that. Then fill with water about two inches up. Set the crock pot to warm for several hours. I have not tried this, but I have heard good results from others.
Stove Top/Double Boiler Option:
1. Using the same ratio of herbs described already, place oil & herbs into a wide-mouthed quart Mason jar or a double boiler.
2. If using a Mason jar, place this into a sauce pan with water. You'll need a large pot, and the water should rise about a third of the way or so up the sides of the Mason jar.
3. Keep the water simmering on very low and watch carefully. You'll need to infuse for a few hours, and obviously you'll need to watch that water to be sure it doesn't evaporate and add more as needed.
4. Strain, bottle and store in a dark place!
That's it! Super easy!
Ready to relax and de-stress? Find out how herbs and essential oils can help in this 24 page guide with recipes! Click here and I’ll send your FREE copy to your inbox now!
Final Thoughts & Reflections on Making Infused Herbal Oils
Once you've made an infused oil and used it successfully for body care, massage, making soaps or salves---you'll become addicted to all the possibilities! I know I have! There are certain herb infused oils I have on hand ALL the time for healing uses.
What do you think? Have you created your own infused oils for any reason (even culinary---which is also very fun)? Share your creations, questions, etc. by leaving a comment below in the comments section! We all love to hear from you!
You might also enjoy these related articles:
There's lots more over on the blog for you too! :-) So head on over and browse around!
If you want to start learning how to use herbs safely, effectively, and skillfully for your family’s health and wellness, here are are few options that might interest you:
The Confident Herbalist Tribe: This is a fun club with a monthly masterclass and additional herbal mini-courses. As of now, there are 23 total masterclasses! You can opt out at any time. This is an extremely affordable and efficient way to learn medicine making skills, learn deeply about plants, and decide if herbalism is for you without laying out a lot of money up front.
The Confident Family Home Herbalist: This is a course that provides the foundation for home herbalism. You own this course for life (as long as there’s internet) once you buy it. In some schools, you lose access to course materials after a period of time.
Both of the above options include live Question and Answer videos with saved replays every week, and a rockin’ student group where you can feel safe to ask your questions and get support and answers!
I’d love to have you join us!
Another option is The Herbal Academy of New England, where I've been taking classes for many years! They have something for everyone, AND they’re online!
Hugs, Health, & Self-Reliance,
Heidi
P.S. If you haven't done so yet, I hope you will sign up for our newsletter! You’ll get immediate access to our password protected Resource Library that’s updated weekly with downloadable eBooks, guides, checklists, and lots more! You might just enjoy the eBook, How to Relax in the Evening Using Herbs which you can find there along with other goodies!
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Here is a blend of St. John's Wort, Calendula, Plantain, & Comfrey. I will be using this to make a powerful healing salve in about 6 weeks, when this oil is completely infused. These herbs are suspended in the oil right now, but will settle. Isn't it beautiful?
Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor. In no manner, stated or implied is any verbiage in this article or elsewhere from me, meant to treat, prevent, cure, or diagnose any disease or illness. Please medical advice from your medical professional if you have questions. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
