Herbal infused oils . . .

There are several options when preparing carrier oils for your products.

Herbs can be used fresh or dried. The infusion can be done over a period of days or weeks or in a matter of hours.

Using fresh plant material & infusing for weeks

Some herbs with give you a better product with more healing characteristics when used fresh. Select a jar that will hold the amount of oil you want to infuse. Can be very small or large. Place the fresh plant materials in the jar in a light pack. Fill to the top. Do not compress the material. You can gently tap the jar on the counter to settle the material.

Now you are ready to add your carrier oil. (On selecting a carrier oil.) Fill almost to the top of the jar leaving a bit of room to accommodate the expanding plant material. Stir with a wooden spoon or bamboo skewer until the bubbles stop rising to the surface and the material stays below the surface. Cover the jar with a paper towel or cloth. Secure with a rubber band. (I store the skewer in the rubber band) You might want to put the jar in a saucer in case the oil overflows.

Keep in a cool, darkish place but not so far away that you forget to stir. Stir each day. Add more oil if needed to keep the plant material covered. You can stop stirring daily when the plant material no longer rises to the top. The best way to check on the progress of the infusing is to smell the oil. As time passes the smell will change. When it smells right to you, decant the oil. (You can ad the spent plant material in your comport pile.) Cover with a lid and store in a cool, dark place until you are ready to use.

Rule of thumb is infuse for 6 weeks but some oils will be ready before that. I have found whole fresh blossoms to be the biggest challenge. Drying them for a while may be the best way to use them. Experiment with your formula and find what works best for you. Remember this is a technique that has developed over many generations and in many cultures around the world. Right or wrong does not enter into this. Best way for you and your materials is the way for you.

If you need materials you might want to go to Mountain Rose Herbs.

Unbiased Skin Care Reviews by Real People

As the growing season slows . . .

there are plant materials waiting to be tried! Lemon balm, spearmint, lemon verbena, aloe vera, sage, basil, and several more. Will there be enough time to learn the secrets of these plants?

The jars of infused oils for lotions, massage oils and healing salves plus herbal tinctures to restore health when needed threaten to take over the kitchen.


If you are interested in learning how to use the plants from your garden, start with this free herbal course from Learning Herbs



If you need herbs to work with, Mountain Rose has a large selection plus lots of helpful information.

Looking for a simple kit to get started? Or to give as a gift to a budding herbalist?

Winter will be over before I know it!

Mullein . . .

Herb to Know: Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Versatile, fuzzy mullein is a gardener’s friend, an herbalist’s delight and an engineering marvel all on its own. Used as a cough medicine and for cosmetic purposes. Read more about this herb to know. From Herb Companion

Try mullien infusion in oil of first year leaves and first year root

• mullein leaves for skin problems
• mullein root for back pain

More info:

• Ryan Drum
• Herb Craft
• Henriettes Herbal

Herbal healing salve . . .

A word for caution . . . if you are going to collect plant materials check several references to be sure you are collecting the right plant. Botanical.com and HorizonHerbs.com might be a place for you to start. In nature many plants have a look-alike which may be dangerous. At HerbMentor.com there is a free study guide which will help you get started and assist you in keeping track of your herbs. At Herbalpedia there are several profiles of herbs listed. (If you decide to join HerbMentor.com you will have access to the entire list of herbs.)

Research the possible effects on the body before you start, find the properties you would like your healing salve to have. LearningHerbs.com offers information on using herbs including videos, eBook, what you can use from the supermarket and lots more.

Now for the recipe used in class:

Cold infusion method:
Using a container like a canning jar makes this part very easy (the size jar is up to you).

Make a label with the name of the herb, date you are starting the infusion and a place to add the date when you remove the herb material. Mailing labels work well for this.

Fill the jar loosely with the fresh herb material cut into small pieces. Tap the container lightly to shake the material down, do not pack it in. If you use dried herbs, fill the container half way. Add virgin, cold-pressed olive oil nearly to the top. Poke the herbs under the oil with a bamboo skewer, wooden spoon or tongue depressor, i.e. Put a piece of paper towel, cheesecloth or thin fabric the air can pass through on top. Hold it in place with the metal ring of a two part lid, a rubber band or string. There is water in the plant material that needs to escape. Stir the mixture at least once a day until you get the air bubbles out and the material stays submerged in the oil. Leave the container where you will remember to check it often. Six weeks seems to be a good time frame for the process of the herbs infusing their healing properties into the carrier oil. Some take less time. I found with fresh calendula it was best to keep smelling the infusion and removing the material when it smelled wonderful which was less than 6 weeks.

At the end of the infusing period strain out the plant material using a sieve, cheese cloth or unbleached coffee filter (and add the herbs to your compost pile or dig into your garden bed). Your infused oil is ready to use.

The formula for this salve:

• 1 c infused oil or combination of several oils
  
• 1 oz beeswax
• a few drops of essential oil (optional)

Melt 1 oz. of beeswax in a double boiler or small sauce pan in a pan of hot water. When melted pour in 1 c of your infused oil. The beeswax will harden. Stir until the wax melts again. Pour into containers. You can use preserving jars, small tins or plastic containers. And always label your herbal products with the herbs and oils you have used.

Mountain Rose Herbs has dried herbs, oils, salts and containers available.