Infused oils are a great way to apply the healing properties of plants topically to the skin. Herbal oils can be used directly on the skin or added to salves or skin creams. You can also infuse culinary herbs into oil to extract their flavor and aroma. This is a great way to invite more herbs from your medicine garden into your everyday life.

When creating an herbal infused oil, you want to stick with fixed oils. By themselves, fixed oils are great healing agents for our bodies. Oils are very soothing, as they aid in softening the keratin layer of the skin. These fixed oils come from the animal and plant kingdoms. You will hear them also referred to as “fatty oils.” Fixed oils can vary greatly, depending on their smell and even the point at which they congeal.

Skin Care

Your skin is your largest organ. This amazing organ is ultimately our protector. It is responsible for blocking harmful toxins, plus it represents our appearance. The skin is also a mirror. It is only as healthy as your internal environment is. Both the internal and external environments influence your skin’s response to how it ages, heals itself, and its overall appearance. More than simply a wrapper for our bodies, skin plays a very important role in our health. Its job is crucial: to protect you from infections and other environmental assaults. The skin also contains nerves that sense cold, heat, pain, pressure, and touch.

What you put on your skin, ends up in your body. Having the tools and the knowledge to create your own skin care is empowering. When choosing your fixed oils (also called carrier oils), herbs, and or essential oils; it is vital to use top quality ingredients.

There are many different ways to prepare an herbal infused oil. 

We will cover the following methods:

Folk Method

Solar Infusion Method

Double Boiler Method

Crock pot Method

Recommended Fixed oils (Carrier oils) :

Avocado oil

Sunflower oil

Jojoba oil

Olive oil

Grapeseed oil

What you will need

Ingredients:

Carrier oil(s) of choice

Dried herb(s)

Materials:

Sterilized, dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid

Sterilized, dry spoon

Sterilized, dry stainless steel saucepan(s) or a double boiler

Crockpot (optional)

Cheesecloth or finer cloth, such as a nut milk bag, muslin, an old (but clean!) T-shirt, or unbleached Coffee filter (optional)

Bowl with a spout

Labels and permanent marker

Dark-colored glass bottles with dropper tops or cap tops for storing finished product

Wire strainer (optional)

Funnel (optional)

Vitamin E oil (optional) - can add 4-5 drops of vitamin E to your finished infused oil to further preserve the shelf life

Folk Method

1. Chop or grind the dried herbs of choice

2. Fill a sterilized glass jar ½ - ¾ full with herbs

3. Cover completely with carrier oil. Leave about ¼ inch of headspace at the top of the jar.

4. Cap and Label.

5. Sit in a cool dark area for 2-6 weeks. Shake every few days. Be sure to put your positive intentions into the remedy.

6. After 2-6 weeks have passed, strain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine metal strainer.

7. Store your infused herbal oil in dark colored glass bottles with a label and date.

Herbal oils are generally shelf stable for 1-2 years.

Solar Infusion Instructions

This is the ideal method for extracting St. Johns Wort or Mullein flowers into oil. If working with St. Johns Wort or Mullein flowers, it is best to use fresh flowers. You can wilt these flowers for 12 hours to prevent mold from occurring in the infused oil.

This method is also ideal if you want to put Solar Energy or the Sun’s Essence into your Medicine.

Directions

1. Chop or grind the dried herbs of choice. If using fresh, be sure to wilt them for 12 hours first.

2. Fill a sterilized glass jar ½ - ¾ full with herbs

3. Cover completely with carrier oil. Leave about ¼ inch of headspace at the top of the jar.

4. Sit the jar in a sunny window or directly outside in a sunny spot for 1-2 weeks.

5. Shake every few days. Be sure to put your positive intentions into the remedy.

6. If it rains, move your Solar Infusion in doors. This will prevent moisture from building up in your infusion. (Water + Oil = don’t mix )

7. When you are ready to strain your plant material, use a cheesecloth or fine metal strainer.

8. Store your infused herbal oil in dark colored glass bottles with a label and date.

Double Boiler Method Instructions

This method is preferred when you need to create an infused oil quickly for an acute infection, such as an ear infection, etc. It is the quickest way to create an herbal oil, however it isn’t the strongest way. You may want to consider this method when you need to create an ear oil for an infection or if treating an infected insect bite.

Directions

1. Begin by placing a stainless steel saucepan on the stove, filling it ¼ full of water, and bringing the water to a boil.

2. Place your herbs (dry or fresh) and oils into a second, dry, sterilized stainless steel saucepan that is slightly smaller than the first. Use a dry, sterilized spoon to mix everything together thoroughly so all surfaces of the herb(s) are coated and no air bubbles remain.

3. Place the smaller, herb-filled saucepan inside the larger, water-filled saucepan and simmer for 30-60 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the amount of water in the larger pan and being very careful not to let water splash into the oil/herb mixture. Monitor the temperature of your oil and keep it between 120-130 degrees Fahrenheit. If the water level runs low in the lower saucepan, carefully add more hot water to bring the water level in the saucepan back up to ¼ full.

4. When you are ready to strain the infused oil, use a cheesecloth or fine metal strainer. (This is where a funnel can come in handy)

5. Store your infused herbal oil in dark colored glass bottles with a label and date.

Crockpot Method

This method is a quick way to make a potent herbal infused oil. You can use dry or wilted fresh herbs.

Directions:

1. Fill a crock pot ½ - ¾ full with dry or wilted herbs of choice.

2. Cover completely with carrier oil of choice.

3. Keep the crock pot temperature between 120-140 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Let this cook for 4-12 hours stirring every few hours and putting your positive intention into it.

5. When you are ready to strain the infused oil, use a cheesecloth or fine metal strainer. (This is where a funnel can come in handy)

6. Store your infused herbal oil in dark colored glass bottles with a label and date.