Herbal Oil

Herbal oils can be used alone or as an ingredient in salves, personal care products and culinary creations.

Oil has the ability to extract certain medicinal properties and flavors out of herbs and spices, their own natural fatty acids, vitamins and other compounds enhance the overall herbal oil. There are a variety of ways to make and use an herbal oil in the kitchen, bath, and medicine cabinet.

Base Oils

There are a variety of oils to choose from as the base for infusing herbs, depending on what it will be used for; consider the weight, shelf life and constituents. This is a small sampling of some oils and their properties to find the right fit for your purpose.

Extra virgin olive oil: The most universal of oils that can be used for body, hair, and kitchen; it is conditioning and one of the most shelf stable oils. The most commonly used oil for extraction and the one I use regularly.
Coconut oil: Extremely nourishing and conditioning for skin and hair care. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties good for skin infections and deodorant. I like to use this oil for body care products and some salves. *Note this oil will harden at room temperature.
Avocado oil: Contains high amounts of Vitamin A, B1, B2, D, and E; also contains amino acids, sterols, pantothenic acid, lecithin, and other essential fatty acids; perfect for those with skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and other skin ailments. It also has a high smoking point, good for cooking.
Grapeseed oil: A light, “non-greasy” oil so it can be quickly absorbed into the skin, leaving no residue or odor; emollient, nonallergenic and good for mature skin, delicate eye and throat areas as well as blemished skin.
Sweet almond oil: Great for all skin types, emollient, and is best known for its ability to soften, soothe, and re-condition the skin.

Herbs

It is best to use dried herbs when making an oil to extend the shelf life and prevent mold and bacteria from growing. Blend into a powder so more surface area is available for extraction.

Some herbs such as St. John's wort and mullein blossoms need to be extracted fresh to preserve their properties. These should be chopped finely before extraction.

Instructions

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For best possible extraction and preservation, I have found that infusing in a bit of alcohol 24 hours prior to extraction makes for a more potent and longer lasting oil.

2 parts, powdered dry herb measured in dry ounces (example 1 dry ounce of herb)
1 part liquid ounces of either 100 or 190 proof Vodka (example 1/2 liquid ounce alcohol)
Mix thoroughly, adjusting the alcohol so a ball can be formed in the hand, do not add too much liquid.
Cover in an airtight glass container and let sit overnight.
Add 8 liquid ounces of oil to every dry ounce of herb - adjusting as needed to keep the oil right above the herbs then choose one of the methods below for macerating.

Note: Alcohol extraction is optional but I have had amazing results in the end product by incorporating it. I learned this trick in The Herbal Kitchen by Kathy McBride.

Strain

After macerating following one of the methods below, the herbs need to be strained from the oil.

Pour into a muslin bag or cloth over a large measuring cup or bowl and attach to the edge to let it drip for a couple of hours or overnight.
Squeeze to press all oil out of the herb.
If straining fresh plant material in the case of St. John's wort exclude the squeezing step so additional moisture doesn't get into the oil

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Storage & Shelf Life

Pour into smaller bottles for immediate use.
Store remaining oil in a glass container that best fits the volume (the more oxygen exposure, the quicker it will deter iorate).
Keep in a cool dark place, refrigerate if there is space to prolong shelf life.
Herbal oils generally last several months up to a year or beyond if properly stored. I like to make oils in smaller amounts since they don't last as long as other methods.
When oil loses color and the smell turns from herby to rancid, it has gone bad and needs to be discarded.

Alcohol/Blender vs Folk Method

I love to see comparisons when trying different methods for preparing herbs. These images show two examples of herbals oils that were prepared with the alcohol extraction and blender method compared to the folk method for a cold infusion. The first is calendula oil and the second blue spruce. The dark color shows that more constituents were pulled from the plant material into the oil, making a more potent and powerful medicine.

Methods of Extraction

There are many methods for macerating your herbal oil, which means that herbal material is soaking in a liquid solvent, in this case oil, for a certain amount of time. Macerating allows the liquid solvent to break down the cell walls of the plant and pull out the medicinal, aromatic and flavor profiles into the liquid. Here are a few ways I've extracted oils of the years, the blender technique is the one I use the majority of the time. I still love a good solar infusion during the summer months though.

Blender Extraction

This is in my opinion the best way to prepare an herbal oil due to the amount of time to make it and the strong potent results.

Measure oil into a blender and add prepared herbs.
Blend on high until the jar is warm to the touch.
Repeat several times a day for 2-3 days.

Folk Method

Fill a jar ½ - ¾ full of dry herbs.
Fill to 1 inch from top with oil, cover.
Let sit for 4 weeks on a countertop, shaking gently each day.
Make it a solar infusion by placing in a sunny window or outside in a sunny spot for 2 weeks.

Stove Top - Crockpot

Prepare the folk method and place the jar in a pan of water with a towel on the bottom to prevent the jar from breaking. Fill the pan with water and bring to a soft simmer on low heat. Let it sit for 4-5 hours up to 72 hours, swishing gently every once in a while and keeping the water filled as it evaporates.

Alternatively use a slow cooker, which will fit more jars of oil. Set on low for 2-3 days, keeping the water filled to the top.

Hot Extract

Place herbs in a pan with enough oil to cover the herbs. Turn the heat on low until it begins to simmer. Let simmer for a few minutes, and then remove from heat. Let cool before straining. Watch carefully since you don't want to burn your oil or herbs.

You can also use a double boiler by placing the herbs and oil in the top part of the boiler. Slowly bring the oil to a very low simmer, you want the temperature to be between 95 and 110 degrees. Simmer for 30-60 minutes, making sure the oil is not overheating. The oil should turn the color of the herbs and smell potent.

Note: This method can go rancid more quickly since the break down of materials is faster and there is more risk of burning the plant material. It is helpful when you need an instant oil and works well for making a garlic or onion oil using the fresh plant material.

Tea Warmer/Coffee Pot

Another option for a hot extract is placing the oil and herbs in a designated coffee pot and put on the warm setting for a couple of hours.

Prepare the extract using the folk method and place the jar on a tea warmer with the lowest setting for 2-3 days.

Coconut Oil Preparations

Since coconut oil turns solid at room temperature it must be extracted using one of the warming methods such as a solar infusion, crock pot or tea warmer.

Using Herbal Oils

Now that you have an oil packed with herbal power there are so many ways to incorporate their properties into your everyday routines; food, body care, personal hygiene practices, aromatherapy, and medicine.

Culinary

If the oil has too strong of flavor, dilute with more olive oil before use. The folk method is best when using the oil for its flavor in cooking. Make sure the flavor profile will blend well with your dish then use any way you would an oil in your baking and cooking.

Salad dressings
Sauté, cooking, or finishing oil
Marinades
Sauces and pesto
Baked goods, etc.

Topical Medicinal Use

Use as a liniment for joint and muscle pain and inflammation.
Use as both a wash and ointment for cuts, wounds, sores, burns, bites, etc.
Apply to rashes and skin conditions (while also treating the root cause internally)
Apply directly to area of concern to absorb through skin into different body systems.
Massage into feet to absorb into blood stream and throughout the body.
Make into a salve or ointment.

Body Care

Oils have been used since the beginning of time for cleansing and nourishing the hair and body. I like to keep my oils in small, glass squirt/spray bottles in the bathroom and refill as needed. These are just a few ways to incorporate them in a beauty care routine:

Facial cleanser: Use a couple squirts of oil in the hands and rub together then apply all over the face, massaging as you go. Saturate a wash cloth with hot water then squeeze out and hold over the face for a moment before wiping the oil off the face. This can be used across the entire body.
Bath/foot soak: Add ¼ cup or so to a tub full of water. Be mindful that the oil will coat the body and tub so be careful getting out of the tub. Dab dry with a towel and put on clothing that you don't mind getting oil on.
Massage into fingernails and toenails and any other area of the body.
Hair care: Massage a small amount into the scalp, down the length of the hair and onto the ends. Let sit for 10-20 minutes before washing out.

Personal Care Products

Herbal oil makes a wonderful ingredient in personal care products such as:

Facial cream and lotions
Facial serums
Body butter and bars
Lip balm
Heel balm
Bath salts, sugars and scrubs
Bath bombs and fizzies
Deodorant and other hygiene products