Most recently I have been in the kitchen experimenting with various items; playing around with homemade products. The other day I had a friend over and as she was looking at some of the changes I did to my kitchen she asked me why I had all the jars on my counter (my friend is so nosy, but so am I--two peas in a pod I tell you LOL). Well, each jar had oil and either herbs, dried flowers or vanilla pods. To the average person it would look a bit weird, but to anyone that enjoys using natural products (chefs and hair diva's a like) you would already know what I was doing; I was infusing my oils.
You may have noticed from my posted hair regimen that I infuse my jojoba oil with various herbs to boost my oil blend. It is a very easy process and adds tons of beneficial herbal properties to your oils as well as a pleasant smelling aroma to your final product.
My main purpose for infusing my oils is to incorporate it into my homemade lotions, creams salves and balms, which can be used for healing dry and irritated/inflamed skin, healing skin aliments (acne, eczema, psoriasis, chapped skin, ect) and relieve burns. They can, of course, also be used for scalp aliments as well:
Lavender and Chamomile
Oils infused with these flowers can be used for its antiseptic, calming and soothing properties
Coltsfoot & Horsetail
The leaves contain silica and are often used in hair products. it is believed to have regenerative properties, strengthens hair and reduces shedding
Nettle
Encourages growth by improving circulation and reduces sheddingCalendula
Oils infused with these flowers can be used for dry, inflamed and irritated skin/scalp
For additional herbal properties please review my post on plant oil benefits and explanations
There are a few ways you can infuse your oil, I prefer to do cold infusions (which I have outlined below), but I may explore other methods in the future. However you choose to do your infusion you need to make sure you meet the following guidelines:
- First and foremost: You must sterilize all jars and utensils used in the process.This can be done with a 1 part bleach/4 part water mixture, alcohol or boiling water.
- Fresh herbs must be slightly wilted before infusing, which is an indication that your fresh herbs are completely dry. Any moisture in the oil will cause mold. To dry your fresh herbs place them on a clean paper towels to absorb any moisture from the plant. You can also place one on top and gently press. Allow your herbs to sit for a couple of hours and then place in your oil.
- Dry herbs may be used as is in the oil.
- Always check your herbs for any foreign substances before adding to the oil.
Method:- Place your dry herbs in a clean sterile glass jar
- Add your herbs to the jar filling approximately half way
- Slowly pour your oil of choice (e.g. jojoba, caster oil, olive oil, etc) covering the herbs. Stop once inch from the top rim of the jar.
- Stir your oil to ensure the herbs are completely covered. Wait a about few minutes before covering the jar.
- Shake the jar for a few minutes, label (date and ingredients) and set aside in a dark cool place
- For the first week you want to smell and shake the jar everyday to ensure it does not smell off.
- Allow to sit for 3-8 weeks depending you taste. The longer the infusion, the more medicinal properties will be present in your batch.
As you know I do not have a video camera so I have posted a video by Mountain Rose Herbs to give you a visual tutorial. I have been following Mountain Rose Herbs for a while because they offer great tutorials and publish a monthly newsletter. I hope it helps!
