How to Make Your Own Herb Infused Oils

This article will teach you how to infuse flowers and herbs into oils to use for salve, massage oils, or pulse point oils.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• carrier oils, flowers, herbs, clean jars, coffee filters or cheese cloth, rubber bands or canning jar rings

1. 
    
   Chamomile flowers

   Infused Oils are made by placing approximately 1/3 cup herbs, flowers, or roots in a clean, dry jar (the least amount of moisture may spoil it) and pouring enough oil to cover. I like using Sweet Almond oil for most of my infused oils, but you can also use olive oil, grape seed oil, or a combination of other carrier oils.

2. Check jar after several hours to make sure plant material has not absorbed all of the oil. You can add more oil if needed. Cover the jar with a clean piece of cheese cloth or unbleached coffee filter. Secure with rubber band or canning jar lid ring. Do not cover with a lid yet, as sometimes the herbs release gasses that could blow the lid right off. Let this oil infuse for about 10 days to 2 weeks. Strain out the plant material & discard it.

3. The remaining oil may be kept in a glass bottle or jar at room temperature for up to one year. This can be used as a base for your salves, oils, and can also be added to soap.

Tips & Warnings

• Some Incredible infused oils: Mullein flowers (along with Garlic oil) for ear aches, Calendula flowers used to soothe the skin, St. Johnswort has been used as a first aid oil, Thyme has been used for stress relief.
• Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) The leaves are strongly aromatic. It is known as the “herb of remembrance” is exhilarating, it enhances mental clarity, is antiseptic, used for wounds, burns, rheumatism, and skin.
• Lavender is the oil most associated with burns and healing of the skin. for rheumatic conditions, for varicose veins (add to cypress, lemon and soy oil and massage into the legs),used to help headaches, bruises, frostbite, acne, dermatitis and swelling.
• As with all herbs, if you are unsure please seek a professional herbalist. Don't use plants you cannot identify or on the endangered species list. Be aware of the carrier oils you use, read labels and precautions.