How to Make and Use Herbal Oil Infusions

Herbal infused oils are some of my favorite concoctions to create! Extremely customizable, I find myself using them every day in various ways. Whether you want to spice up your meals, add nourishment to your skin and hair care routine, or heal your body from the inside out, herbal oils can help you on your journey. To learn how to make these herbalism staples and what to use them for, keep reading!

What are Herbal Oil Infusions?

Herbal oils are exactly what they sound like—oils infused with herbs! An infusion is a type of extraction where plant material is suspended in a liquid and allowed to macerate (steep). As it macerates, the active compounds within the plant are released into the liquid, creating an infused solution.

Solubility: like dissolves like

If you've taken a chemistry class, you might recall the saying "like dissolves like." This principle is especially relevant when making herbal extracts. When you use oil in a maceration, you extract only oil-soluble compounds from the plants. Unlike water or vinegar which cannot dissolve these compounds effectively. In contrast, a water infusion or decoction (tea) will only dissolve water-soluble compounds and a bit of the volatile oils if the water is hot. Alcohol is slightly better than water or vinegar at extracting oil-soluble constituents but still captures only a small amount. Hence, herbal oils offer unique compounds not found in other extracts.

Ways to make Herbal Oils

There are several methods to make herbal oil infusions, ranging from slow and steady to faster techniques. Generally, extracting into oil takes time, so be patient! Even the fastest methods take several hours. But trust me, it’s worth the wait! For a step-by-step procedure, check out my formulation page on these delightful concoctions.

Pick your Oil

Choosing the right carrier oil is as crucial as choosing the herbs. Carrier oils “carry” the medicinal compounds from the plant. Your intended application will guide your choice:

• Cooking: Olive oil, sesame oil, or sunflower seed oil for a benign taste.

• Skincare: Lightweight, fast-absorbing oils like sweet almond or apricot kernel oil.

• Hair care: Castor oil is excellent for stimulating hair growth.

Prep your Plants

Oil is thick and takes time to fully saturate the plant material. Cutting your plants into small pieces or grinding them with a mortar and pestle helps immensely. Agitating the solution while it infuses helps saturate the plant material and aid extraction. Ensure your plant material is dried, as water in fresh plants will hinder extraction.

Slow Maceration

Traditional room temperature macerations can create a divine herbal oil, but they require several weeks to months to be potent. This method is best for preserving the aromatic (essential) oils of the plant, which are volatile and evaporate quickly. A sealed jar and plenty of time are the best solutions for maintaining their presence. Shake the jar daily to mix the solution and break down the plant material. Once complete, strain and enjoy!

Stovetop Infusions

Some plant parts, like roots, need heat to extract their medicinal compounds. A double boiler on a stovetop is perfect for this. Add your plant parts and oil, and set your stove to medium-low. Keep the water just below a boil, looking for steam. Heat your infusion for several hours, stirring frequently. Replace the water in the double boiler if needed. Once complete, strain and enjoy!

As you heat make sure to stir frequently. I like to heat my oils this way for at least 4 hours. If you have chores to do at home, just set up an infusion and get to work around the house. You’ll get a nice treat at the end of your work!

Low Temperature Mixer: Magical Butter

This method involves an extraction machine, like a Magical Butter. This tabletop extractor heats and mixes your infusion, blending it every few minutes to ensure the plant material is fully broken down, creating a potent extract. Customize your extractions with different heat and time settings. Add your plant parts and oil, set the temperature, and extraction time (2-4 hours). For preserving natural volatile oils, use the lowest temperature setting.

Ways to use Herbal Oil Infusions

Herbal oils have many applications in daily life. Here are a few uses:

In the Kitchen: Enhance any dish with herbal oil infusions. Basil-infused olive oil adds great taste and digestion benefits, while chili-infused sesame oil clears sinuses and stimulates blood flow. When working with chilis it's important to monitor your oil infusions as to not make it too spicy. Just take a taste every 30 minutes until it is at your preferred spiciness.

Topical Tonic: Oil infusions penetrate the skin, easing muscle pain and supporting health. Substitute them for any carrier oil in topicals like serums, salves, face masks, and bath salts.

Skincare Staple: Use infused oil directly on the skin to lock in moisture and ease conditions like eczema. They offer the benefits of essential oils without irritation risks.

Hair Treatment: Rosemary and lavender oils soothe and stimulate the scalp. Massage them in before shampooing to break up dirt and dandruff. Use a few drops on hair ends to lock in moisture and smooth flyaways.

Herbal oil infusions are versatile and easy to make, offering numerous benefits for your culinary creations, skincare routine, and overall wellness. By selecting the right carrier oils and herbs, you can create powerful, natural remedies that enhance your daily life. Whether you're using these oils to add flavor to your dishes, nourish your skin and hair, or support your health, herbal oil infusions are a wonderful addition to any herbalism practice. Take the time to experiment with different combinations and methods to discover the full potential of these potent infusions. Thank you for reading, and stay tuned for more insights and recipes in the world of herbalism!

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