How to Make Essential Oils Through Infusion Process
Infused oils are made by allowing botanical material, like herbs and flowers, to steep in oil. The oils can then be used for cooking, massages, skin treatments or for medicinal purposes. How you will use the oil determines which plants to use. Infused oils are never subjected to high heat; they retain their aroma and volatility. Using the infusion process to make oils at home is a simple method that does not require much equipment. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Dry about 2 cups of fresh herbs thoroughly by either leaving them exposed to air until all the moisture is gone or by spreading them out on a baking sheet and placing them in a low oven (about 170 to 200 degrees F).
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Wash a heat-resistant jar, like a canning jar, with a lid in warm, soapy water. Rinse the jar, and let it dry thoroughly.
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Pack the dried herbs into the jar and fill the jar with cold-pressed oil with a long shelf life and little aroma, like a sunflower or grapeseed oil. Make sure the herbs are immersed in the oil.
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Put the lid on and put the jar in a warm place like on a windowsill or in a slow cooker set on low. Don't let the temperature of the oil rise about 120 degrees F.
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Test the oil after 24 hours. If the herbs have infused the oil to the desired strength, strain the mixture through a sieve to get out large particles and then through cheesecloth to remove any remaining plant matter.
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Make a double-strength infused oil by preparing another jar with herbs, adding the infused oil and following the rest of the steps above.
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Tips & Warnings
Refrigerate the oil once it has infused. Bring it to room temperature for use in massages or skin treatments. Oils can be made by combining the herbs and oil in a slow cooker on very low heat for 12 hours. Check the temperature to make sure it does not exceed 120 degrees.
Used dried plants because the water in the plants can encourage the growth of mold and bacteria.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Eliza Domestica
