Herb Infused Oils

Herb infused oils are oils that have absorbed all of the nutrients, healing properties, color, and flavors of an herb. Infused oils are a wonderful and simple way to incorporate herbs into your daily life. You can use any combination of herbs and oils, depending on the intended outcome. Infused oils are great for so many purposes, both medicinal (as topical applications) and culinary (to flavor your favorite dishes).

Dried calendula flowers in olive oil, great for dry skin, cuts, bruises, burns, and so much more!

What you need:

• Oil of your choice
• olive, coconut, grapeseed, almond, jojoba, apricot, avocado, or sunflower are all great choices
• I use a good quality olive oil for its longer shelf life
• Good quality dried herbs
• any variety or combination, based on your goal
• you can use fresh herbs, but the moisture in the fresh plants can cause your final product to spoil much more quickly
• Glass jars with a tight-fitting lid
• sterilized and completely dry
• mesh strainer
• cheese cloth
• tape and marker for labeling

There are multiple methods for infusing your oil:

1. Cold/Solar Infusion method
• this is the more traditional, gentler method that I prefer
1. Fill your jar about 1/2-2/3 full with your herb of choice
2. Pour the oil over the herbs, filling the jar completely
• This is a rough ratio of herbs to oil, it does not have to be exact
3. Tightly seal the jar and invert a few times to coat all of the herbs with the oil
4. Label with the contents and the date, so you know what's inside
5. Place the jar in a warm spot for 4-6 weeks, mixing daily to ensure even infusion
• Exposure to direct sunlight may cause your oil to spoil
• As your oil infuses, it will absorb all of the wonderful nutrients, properties, and color and of the herbs
6. Place the mesh strainer, lined with cheese cloth, over a second clean jar and strain your oil into the new jar
7. Seal and label the jar with the new date. Store in a cool place, out of direct sunlight (in the fridge if possible)
2. Heat Infusion method
1. Prepare your jar as above, following steps 1-3
2. Place a small towel in the bottom of a large pot, fill with a couple inches of water, and heat to a low simmer
3. Place your jar of oil and herbs in the water, on top of the towel
• the towel insulates the glass jar, keeping it away from the direct heat source
4. Allow your oil to infuse for 4-8 hours. Be sure to add extra water to the pot as it evaporates or your oil will burn
5. Strain and store as above
3. Double-boiler method
1. Place herbs and oil in a double boiler (or glass bowl over a pot of water)
2. Bring to a light simmer and cook for approximately 30-60 minutes
3. Be sure to keep the heat low for gentle cooking, otherwise the herbs will burn
4. Strain and store as above

Where to get your herbs:

• You want to find the best possible herbs you can - these are, after all, being put directly on your body. Look for:
• locally grown
• organic - no nasty chemicals here!
• sustainably sourced
• Grow and dry your own or look for a local, reliable herb farm
• Order them online - my favorite sources are Mountain Rose Herbs and the Bulk Herb Store

How to use your infused oil:

Infused oils can be used in so many ways, whether to heal or to eat, to soothe or to energize. The possibilities are endless. Here are just a few ideas to get you started.

1. Applied topically after a bath or before going to bed
2. Made into salves or balms by adding beeswax
3. Used during a massage
4. Cooking! - infuse your favorite flavors into a good quality olive oil for salad dressings, marinades, sautéing, and so on

These oils should last for at least a year. Shelf life may differ depending on the type of oil used and how it is stored. You can also prolong the shelf life by adding a few drops of vitamin E oil to the strained oil, which prevents the fats from going rancid as quickly.

Now go infuse some oils! And be sure to let me know how they turn out in the comments  :)


DISCLAIMER: The statements made here are purely educational and have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.