How to Make Gardenia Oil
Gardenias are a beautiful addition to any flower garden, but many people don’t know that the flowers can also provide natural healing remedies. By using the petals, a fragrant oil can be created that is often used to treat anxiety, insomnia, symptoms of menopause and certain infections. Choose healthy gardenia flowers that are at full bloom for the best results. Making gardenia oil is a simple process that pays off by providing several health benefits.
Things You'll Need
- Olive oil
- Gardenia petals
- Measuring cup
- Slow cooker
- Funnel
- Glass jar with lid
- Coffee filter
- Ladle
- Marker
Instructions
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1
Measure the amount of olive oil needed to make the gardenia oil. The olive oil heats up with the gardenia petals, taking on the scent and properties of the petals. The amount of olive oil depends on the desired amount of finished product. For example, if you desire 2 cups of finished gardenia oil, measure out 2 cups of olive oil.
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2
Pick the gardenia petals for the mixture. Pull the petals from the flower and remove any dried, dead or discolored portions, leaving only healthy petals. Measure out the number of petals to use in the mixture. For every cup of olive oil, use 1/4 ounce of petals. For example, if you are using 2 cups of olive oil, measure out 1/2 ounce of petals.
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3
Pour the olive oil into a slow cooker. Add the petals to the olive oil and stir carefully, covering the petals. Turn on the slow cooker and set it to the “Low” setting. Let the mixture heat up and meld together for four to eight hours. The longer the mixture is left to heat, the more infused the petals will become in the oil. Turn off the slow cooker and let the mixture sit for about 20 minutes.
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4
Set a funnel in the top of a glass jar. Insert a coffee filter into the top of the funnel to strain out the oil mixture. Use a ladle to transfer the mixture from the slow cooker into the jar. Let the mixture strain through the coffee filter and funnel, removing all of the petals and any debris.
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5
Place the lid onto the glass jar and seal it tightly. Write the date on the side of the jar to keep track of the age of the gardenia oil.
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6
Store the glass jar in the door of the refrigerator for best results. Do not reheat the oil before use, as this will take away from its potency. Throw out the oil and create a new batch after six months.
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References
- Photo Credit Medioimages/Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images
