Before I talk about herbal oils a quick note: I’m still trying to figure out what this space means to me. I’m in the process of switching to WordPress and it’s giving me nightmares. Do I want it to be more informational? Or just keep it a fun journal of herbal adventures? Or am I allowed to make it a personal journal too? Am I brave enough to talk about my spiritual exploration here, is it relevant? I’ve tried so many blogs, for so many reasons It’s hard to know why I keep coming back anymore. But I do. I’m inspired by friends who are just spillin it as it comes too. So while I’m still sorting it all out, I wanted to share some fun things you can do with herbs for the holidays. If you are gift giving, why not make it one of the aromatic variety?
Herbal Oils are a beautiful way to share the love of amazing aromatic plants. Imagine yourself lying in a bed of rosemary as your partner massages your temples with a smooth infused oil after a long day at work. Or the earthen aroma of sage oil as it dances over your penne. Let the buttery scent of a calendula bud soaked in apricot oil soften your rough edges. Or invoke the power of a desert rain as you run creosote oil through your hair. A smooth infused oil has many talents. Rosemary Oil has been nourishing my hair and skin through this deeply dry desert winter. My shamefully fake Christmas tree branches have been disguised with some to give it a seasonal smell. She has quieted many evening headaches. And my taste buds have sung excitedly as I drizzled it in salads and on potatoes. One little herbal oil spreading all of this joy. Wouldn’t you love to give that to someone?
The process is quite easy, and children will love it too. I have offered detailed instructions with tips and notes below. I would love to hear what you are infusing. And check back this week, I’ll be sharing another great treat you can make using your oil.
Materials
about 1-1/2 cups of herbs dried or fresh
about 16 ounces of oil
a 16 ounce jar and lid
large bowl
cheesecloth, coffee filter, or other very fine straining material (i’ve even used pantyhose – not worn of course!)
cheesecloth, coffee filter, or other very fine straining material (i’ve even used pantyhose – not worn of course!)
Choosing your oil
I prefer olive, apricot kernal, jojoba, and coconut oils. You can use nut oils as well, but they do not like my skin. Apricot kernal is very soothing and gentle for babies and people with sensitive skin. Coconut oil has an amazing aroma and is anti-fungal as well as nourishing to all skin. Olive oil is deeply healing for skin and does not go rancid as quickly as the others. My grandmother has been covering her body in olive oil as long as I can remember. Though, it does have a stronger smell and color. You may not experience the full aroma of the herb when using olive oil. Right now I am loving jojoba because it is native to the desert and a beautiful golden yellow.
Choosing your herbs
This is the fun part. There are no ends to the herbal combinations you may use. The oils are wonderful medicine themselves; the herbs simply enhance what you start with. Popular herbs for skin with rich aromas are calendula, chamomile, hibiscus, lavender, or rose. Powerful healing herbs for skin are comfrey, plantain, and calendula. Herbs for muscle pain are cayenne, st johnswort and arnica. Gentle herbs for babies are calendula, lavender, chamomile and rose. A few bits of hibiscus will give your salve a lovely rosy red color. And calendula can offer a bright yellow. But feel free to experiment with whatever herbs you like.
To make an herbal oil
Simply fill a jar about 3/4 full with herb/herbs of choice then cover completely with oil. Leave in a warm sunny place, but not out in the sun. I know that’s probably hard for most of you this time of year so if you can’t find sun, the best place is probably the same warm place where you would rise bread. Leave the jar for 2-3 weeks shaking it daily. You will notice the plant material start to break down. When the two weeks is up, strain into a bowl and place in a new jar ensuring no plant material is left in your oil.
The great thing about giving herbal oils is that they can be personalized to fit each individual. If you are having trouble deciding, let me know. I bet we can come up with the perfect combo for your perfect someone.
Happy Holidays.
Lovely….pretty photos!
Will try for sure. Saw the EV Coconut Oil for the first time and was wondering what all to do with it…can you share some more about it???
what great divine timing you have! i am planning on making salve for holiday gifts and have been researching this very topic. i will try your tips and techniques for sure. lovely!!
xoxo
ps
YES to a personal journey blog. you are worthy. and we are all ready to read your insights and love.
Thanks so much for this post! I was just considering getting into making this and wondering who to ask.
Regarding your pre-post comments…why not make it a little of everything. I find that if I only hit on one subject, I get bored. I think your spiritual journey and personal experiences are just as relevant as your herbal choices. Plus, they're often intertwined, are they not?
keep writing…
This is wonderful! I'd say make your blog informational and personal. I'd love to read about both! I blog about everything and anything and enjoy it that way.
dona – thats a good idea. ill put something together soon. thanks for the thought.
leigh – salve post coming up later this week! and thanks for encouraging me.
OM – you are so right. i always try to compartmentalize things. silly me.
annie- i love your blog's mood so. i think ill do just that.
thanks for all the lovins everyone.
loved your comment on my blog the other day – i see we've reversed hometowns
was just wondering what new thing i could do with my coconut oil… hmmm… my heads all buzzing with ideas now!
Such lovely photographs. I have been wanting to make an herbal infused oil for quite some time now. I have many pretty little packages of herbs just waiting to take a soak in jojoba or apricot or olive or…I love how the possibilities are a plenty. Regarding your opening comments, please, blog away! It's healing and empowering to voice what's in your heart.
I found your blog a little while back…and I love the information you are sharing. It is SO helpful to me as a woman who is just now beginning to learn about herbs and their amazing potential. I am grateful that you are willing to share…
On a personal note…your blog is just that…YOU blog. And you can share whatever you want… I would love to “get to know you” on a more personal level if you so choose to “spill it”…lol I have found that when I share the harder things…the more personal things…it will usually speak to someone and help them along in their personal journey as well. You just never know who your story will relate to…and encourage.
Glad to meet you..
Michelle
I’ve heard of making herb infused oils by putting herb and oil in a double boiler (ie putting the pan on top of a pot of boiling water) and simmering for an hour. Is there a chemical or medicinal difference in that method, vs the method you described above? Thanks!
you know allie, to be honest i’m not sure. most books offer that as an option. and is the method i would use if i did not have access to so much sun. some herbalists prefer it as the only way to extract the most medicinal qualities of the herb in a uniform way. and some even say that they still need to be left for a week in a double boiler or crock pot at 110 degrees. still others only use the sun method. i have done it in a double boiler (for an hour) and still will if i need an oil in a pinch. however i prefer the sun method. in my experience the oils are more fragrant and softer, and i have never ‘burned’ one as i have done using a double boiler by not watching the temp. i also enjoy the infusion of sun energy in my plant medicine rather than the stove. i guess it boils down to personal preference. i know, not much of an answer. sorry bout that, but it just depends on who you ask. herb medicine= peoples medicine = difference of opinion. i hope my long winded ramblings helped in some way. thanks for being part of the conversation!
i really hope olive oil does not go out of fashion anytime soon. i forgot i had a few quarts on hand and just bought a gallon on ‘special’ only to discover it was cheaper at another store… everyday! i am slowly, slowly moving into more herbs for cooking and medicinal reasons. slow going sometimes after many years of doing it the other way.
Pingback: Fats « Lindenfeuille's Desk