How to Make Scented Oils With Herbs

You can scent oil with just about any herb.

A homemade scented, herbal oil has both culinary and cosmetic uses. Leave the herbs in scented oil for a delicious bread dipping sauce, or create a perfumed massage oil. Try pouring a few drops of oil into the bathtub to moisturize and scent your skin. To store the oil, pour it into a dark container to keep out the light and make it last longer. Use your imagination to create interesting herb and oil combinations; try lavender and coconut or rose and jojoba.

Things You'll Need

• Air-tight container
• Wire-mesh strainer
• Bowl
• Funnel
• Kitchen scale
• Fresh herbs
• Oils

Instructions

1. Pour your oil of choice into an air-tight container, such as a Mason jar. Use olive or grapeseed oils for a scented cooking oil. For the body, try coconut or jojoba oils.

2. Place fresh herbs in oil. Try rosemary or oregano for cooking, or lavender or rose for a body oil. Use about 5 ounces of herb per 16 ounces of oil.

3. Seal the air-tight container. Leave in the sunlight for 24 hours. The sunlight will heat the mixture, allowing the scent in the herbs to release into the oil.

4. Open the jar after 24 hours. Pour oil through wire-mesh strainer into a bowl to remove the herbs. Throw the herbs away and pour the oil through a funnel back into the jar.

5. Place another five ounces of herbs into the oil. Replace the lid and allow the mixture to sit for another 24 hours in the sun. Repeat the process, removing the old herbs after 24 hours and replenishing with new ones for six more days.

References

• University of California, Davis: Agriculture and Natural Resources: Herbal Adventures
• Ryan Drum: All-Purpose Salve
• Trader Joes: Guide to Olive Oil