Herbal infused oils

Most people have heard of culinary infused oils such as rosemary or garlic infused olive oils. There is actually a lot you can do with infused oils from culinary, to medicinal, to massage and perfume. Herbal oils are easy to make and will keep for months to years when stored in a cool dark place. There are several ways to make herbal oils, here we will cover the traditional folk way. There is no need to measure for herbal oils and you can make as much or as little as you’d like.

Materials needed:

Glass mason jar with lid (I typically use a 8 ounce)

Organic unrefined olive oil

Organic herb(s) of your choice approximately 2 cups for the 8 ounce mason jar if blending otherwise you will use less

Unbleached cotton muslin for straining your oil

Handheld mesh strainer (optional)

Glads pump top bottle for easy application (optional, any size you choose up to 4oz)

Coffee grinder (optional)

I will be using chamomile (Matricaria recutita) also known as German chamomile To make a medicinal infused oil. This oil is good for tummy aches and stomach ailments of all kinds, burns, wounds, it is antispasmodic, anti inflammatory, antibacterial and is also relaxing for all ages. I could go on and on with the benefits of chamomile.

I start with blending the chamomile in my coffee grinder to powder the herb. I choose to do this to get the best possible infusion, but this is not necessary.

Pour the plant material into the mason jar filling it to about one inch from the top.

Carefully pour in olive oil, stirring as you go until the olive oil is well incorporated and covering the plant material by several millimeters. Check the olive oil over to next few days to verify the plant material is still covered, if needed add more olive oil.

Close the jar tightly and allow to sit in a cool dark place for 4-6 weeks, shaking daily to keep everything well incorporated.

After the 4-6 weeks you can strain your oil. The easiest way to get a very clean oil is by straining through cotton muslin. I typically strain my oil into a measuring cup with a mesh strainer for support of the muslin cloth.

At this point your oil is ready to use.

Pour into a glass pump top bottle or you can use the oil to make a salve.