How to Make Herbal Infused Oil

Learning how to make herbal infused oil for your skincare products is a skill every DIYer should learn! While essential oils are a wonderful resource for homemade skincare and hygiene items, there’s nothing quite like reverting to the traditional methods our great-grandparents used!

 

WHAT IS INFUSED OIL?

Infused oil is nothing more than a carrier oil that has been poured over dry herbs. After allowing it to sit for an extended period of time, the herb’s beneficial properties seep into the oil. Once strained, the oils can be used in your natural skincare recipes with the benefits that come with the chosen herb/s.

 

WHAT KIND OF OILS OR PLANT MATTER SHOULD I USE?

I highly recommend doing your own research! Always take allergies (and the possibility) into account. While I do give you a few tips, it’s important to explore all this for yourself.

Oils that are best suited to tender skin include:

• apricot kernel
• avocado
• hemp
• jojoba

Those that are heavier and do well with tough, dry skin are as follows:

• castor
• olive
• sweet almond oil

For tender or young skin, be sure to choose mild herbs for your infusion. Once again, be sure to do your own research! Commonly found gentle plants include calendula, chamomile, lavender, rose petals and rose hips.

For strong herbs with antibacterial properties, you may want to consider rosemary, sage, thyme, and members of the mint family.

Important to note: in order to prevent mold and early spoilage, herbs should always be dried before using in an infusion!

 

GUARD AGAINST GETTING TOO CARRIED AWAY!

Once mastered, it’s empowering to know that you can provide your home with natural skin care products without the addition of purchased essential oils.

However wonderful it may be, ensure you start slowly. Unless you are making soap, it doesn’t take much oil to make most skin-care products at home! After doing your own personal research, I’d recommend starting with 2-3 small oil infusions.

 

HOW TO MAKE HERBAL INFUSED OIL

Once you have foraged and dried your herbs (you can also purchase them), you are ready to begin.

In a clean pint (500 ml) jar, place the dried herbs of choice. I recommend filling it half full of dry matter. Pour your oil over the dry plants until oil rises 1 inch over them.

Cover the jar’s mouth with a clean cloth or coffee filter. You’ll want to secure it with a rubber band to keep bugs out!

Some folks claim your infusion should sit on a window sill in direct sunlight. Others insist it should be stored in a dark cool place. Personally, I’m inclined toward the latter. Try both and see which you like best!

The longer your oil is left to infuse, the stronger it will be. Give it a minimum of 6 weeks!

 

HOW TO STRAIN HERBAL INFUSED OIL

Take a clean jar and place a filtering cloth or a coffee filter over it’s mouth. Secure with a metal canning band. Gently pour the infused oil into the filter, letting it trickle through while the solids remain behind.

Once complete, you can strain the oil a second time to ensure all bits of plant matter are removed.

 

HOW TO STORE HERBAL INFUSED OIL

Discard herbs and bottle up your oil in a glass jar or bottle. It can be directly applied to your skin or used in your natural skincare products.

Always test a small area on yourself and others before applying liberally.

 

BENEFITS OF LEARNING HOW TO MAKE HERBAL INFUSED OIL

Should you be frugal minded, infused oils are a way to bypass expensive essential oils while still having the effects a particular herb gives. Whether your plant matter comes from the garden or the wilds around you, it’s far cheaper than using EO’s and is very rewarding!

Another benefit is this: you’ll have to learn about the herbs and wild plants growing around you. An increase in knowledge and self-sustainability, the renewal of traditional skills is worth something!

Learning how to make herbal infused oil is something the entire family can do together! Teach your children how to identify and forage the plants, about infusions and making skincare products at home.