Post by estatigua (Tiggy) on Jan 6, 2007 16:02:29 GMT -5
INFUSED OILS
Infused oils are produced by soaking the plant material in warm oil over a
period of time. It is probably the oldest method of extraction and was used
thousands of years before distillation and other methods were devised.
Infused oils have many of the properties of essential oils but also have the
benefits of other plant substances not present in essential oils. The
resulting oil isn't as strong as essential oil and can usually be used
without further dilution. One of the main advantages of this method is that
it makes it possible to utilise many plants that yield either very little or
no essential oil but which are immensely useful.
Well dried or thoroughly wilted herbs are the best to use to make infused
oils as the water content in fresh herbs could cause bacteria to grow and
spoil the oil.
Examples of useful infused oils are as follows:
Arnica
The pure essential oil contains a high percentage of toxic constituents.
However, the infused oil or homeopathic tincture or ointment is a most
valuable addition to any home first aid box.
When applied externally, the oil stimulates the peripheral blood supply
making it one of the best remedies for sprains, strains, bruises, RSI and
similar problems. It may also be used in blends to relieve rheumatism and
other inflammatory conditions.
Caution. This oil must never be used on broken skin.
Calendula
Be sure that you are using true calendula (Calendula officinalis) as there
is often confusion with African and French marigolds. These plants don't
have the same properties and aren't suitable for medicinal use.
Calendula infused oil has powerful skin healing properties. This makes it
useful as the main oil in creams and ointment for cracked skin, burns, eczem
a, inflammations, rashes, work-rough hands, nappy rash, grazes and wounds.
An excellent treatment for sore nipples - use the oil alone rather than a
cream. It also helps to fade old scars and can be used in the treatment of
ulcers and varicose veins.
Comfrey
Known variously as Knitbone, Boneset, Bruisewort and other descriptive
names. Comfrey oil is impressive in its healing powers for wounds, ulcers,
strains, sprains, muscular injuries and fractures. May also be used to good
effect on dry eczema, itchy skin and rough skin.
Devil's Claw
A valuable anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb. Tablets are available from
health food stores and could be taken in conjunction with the massage oil.
Use the oil to treat rheumatic and other joint diseases, muscular strain,
inflammation of connective tissue, fibrositis, RSI, tendonitis.
Echinacea
Already very well known as an internal treatment echinacea also makes a
valuable oil for healing skin conditions of all types and cosmetically
softening wrinkles, stretchmarks and scars.
Elderflower
The flowers are the parts to use and I make and keep a good supply of this
oil for blending with calendula oil to make moisture lotions and creams. The
resultant oil is softening, anti-inflammatory, healing and good for all
skins.
Mullein
The yellow flowers and olive oil make a very valuable infused oil for the
treatment of simple earache. Prolonged or severe earache needs urgent
professional treatment. Use also for painful and inflamed conditions such as
wounds and haemorrhoids.
Plantain
I use a double quantity of this herb when making healing creams. It has
strongly astringent and soothing properties, helps to reduce the pain of
wounds, stings and insect bites, reduces the itching of haemorrhoids and
also helps to stop bleeding.
St John's Wort
Also known as Hypericum oil. When steeped in warm oil the yellow flowers
release a rich, ruby-red oil with analgesic, astringent and antiseptic
properties. The oil is excellent for easing the pain of minor burns, muscle
and joint inflammation, nerve related pain such as neuralgia, fibrositis and
wounds. The infused oil is available in most good health food stores but if
you can find the plant in flower it's really exciting to make this oil
yourself.
Orange Blossom (Neroli), Rose, Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa (Lemon balm) are
all very expensive oils. Beautiful, effective and inexpensive massage oils
can be made from these plants using the infusion method.
If you want your finished oils to have a stronger aroma and action you can
add a few drops of essential oil. Store the oils (carefully labelled) in a
cool, dark place.
Refrigeration of the oils will ensure a much longer life as oxidation and
rancidity will be retarded.
Other Herbs to Use in Infused Oils
Skin oil: chamomile, calendula, elderflower, lavender, rosemary, rose,
jasmine.
Massage oil: chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, rosemary,
rose.
Healing ointments: calendula, comfrey, lavender, mallow, plantain, rosemary,
sage, thyme, valerian, violet, wormwood, yarrow.
I make very small amounts of triple strength oils ready to blend into
specific massage oils or ointments and make a large quantity of triple
strength calendula oil that I add to most of my blends.
Hot Method of Making Infused Oils
1. Half fill a jar with dried, crumbled (not powdered) plant material or
three quarters fill with wilted plant material.
2. Add 1 tablesthingy cider vinegar to the herbs (1 tablesthingy for each 2 cups
of oil that you will use), stir well, place a lid on and shake vigorously.
3. Leave for a few hours without heating, shaking often. The vinegar
releases properties that aren't released into oil.
4. Fill the jar with good quality oil--a blend of olive and grape seed would
be excellent, that has been warmed to blood heat. Fasten the top down firmly
and put the jar in a warm place; hot sun, a pan of hot water, a crock-pot
containing water, a radiator or the top of the refrigerator at the back for
24 hours. Shake the jar occasionally.
5. Heat should be no more than 45C-48C; if the oil overheats you will lose
some of the important volatile properties of the herbs.
6. Strain the oil first through a sieve and then through coarse muslin or a
coarse weave tea towel and squeeze to get as much oil as possible out of the
plant material, if you want a single strength oil you can go to stage 8.
7. Pour the strained oil back into the jar, add more plant material and if
necessary, top up with a little fresh oil to keep the quantity the same.
Fasten down the top firmly again and repeat the procedure. You can continue
to repeat the process several times (omitting stage 2 after the first
extraction) until you are satisfied with the strength.
8. Strain the oil through a kitchen sieve to remove most of the plant
material and then through the finest cloth you have. Pour the finished oil
into a jar. After a few days you will see sediment at the bottom of the jar.
Carefully decant the oil into a clean jar, leaving the sediment behind.
Refrigerate the oil until needed, if you have used olive oil it will thicken
in the refrigerator but that's alright, it will soon regain it's normal
appearance. I refrigerate or even freeze the sediment and use it in packs,
compresses and masks.
Cold Method of Making Infused Oils
The following is a method that has been employed by herbalists for centuries
and is called the 'Simplers' method, it feels very 'alchemic' and earthy but
works best if you live in a country where there are long, hot sunny days.
The above Hot Method tends to lose a lot of the natural perfume of the plant
material while the Cold Method retains more of the scent.
1. Put the lightly bruised flowers or leaves in a jar and cover to about 5cm
(2") above the plant material with a slightly warmed, delicate, scentless
oil such as grapeseed or almond. Unless the herbs are completely submerged
they will go mouldy.
2. Cover closely with a well fitting lid.
3. Have as little air space as possible in the jar or mould may be
encouraged to grow in the condensation that will form on the glass and the
inside of the lid.
4. Put in a sunny spot for one week. Bring the jar in at night (if you
remember!).
5. Repeat as for stage 6 of the Hot Method until the oil smells as strongly
as you desire. Strain well through a sieve and then through double
cheesecloth and follow stage 7 of the Hot Method.
Use the finished infused oil to incorporate into massage oils, ointments,
bath oils, skin care preparations, insect repellents or to use alone
This article contains information on a range of herbs or essential oils. It
is intended as a source of information, not as a medical reference book.
Remember that some herbs and essential oils that are beneficial for short
term use can be harmful if used for long periods. The reader is also advised
not to attempt self-treatment for serious or long-term problems without
consulting a health professional.
The author cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions to the
recipes, recommendations and instructions contained in the article and the
use of any ingredient is entirely at the readers own risk.
Copyright Ó Nerys Purchon (AKA Ravenna Morgan). Permission is granted to
share this article with others, provided you do so in it's entirety and
include this copyright statement.
Infused oils are produced by soaking the plant material in warm oil over a
period of time. It is probably the oldest method of extraction and was used
thousands of years before distillation and other methods were devised.
Infused oils have many of the properties of essential oils but also have the
benefits of other plant substances not present in essential oils. The
resulting oil isn't as strong as essential oil and can usually be used
without further dilution. One of the main advantages of this method is that
it makes it possible to utilise many plants that yield either very little or
no essential oil but which are immensely useful.
Well dried or thoroughly wilted herbs are the best to use to make infused
oils as the water content in fresh herbs could cause bacteria to grow and
spoil the oil.
Examples of useful infused oils are as follows:
Arnica
The pure essential oil contains a high percentage of toxic constituents.
However, the infused oil or homeopathic tincture or ointment is a most
valuable addition to any home first aid box.
When applied externally, the oil stimulates the peripheral blood supply
making it one of the best remedies for sprains, strains, bruises, RSI and
similar problems. It may also be used in blends to relieve rheumatism and
other inflammatory conditions.
Caution. This oil must never be used on broken skin.
Calendula
Be sure that you are using true calendula (Calendula officinalis) as there
is often confusion with African and French marigolds. These plants don't
have the same properties and aren't suitable for medicinal use.
Calendula infused oil has powerful skin healing properties. This makes it
useful as the main oil in creams and ointment for cracked skin, burns, eczem
a, inflammations, rashes, work-rough hands, nappy rash, grazes and wounds.
An excellent treatment for sore nipples - use the oil alone rather than a
cream. It also helps to fade old scars and can be used in the treatment of
ulcers and varicose veins.
Comfrey
Known variously as Knitbone, Boneset, Bruisewort and other descriptive
names. Comfrey oil is impressive in its healing powers for wounds, ulcers,
strains, sprains, muscular injuries and fractures. May also be used to good
effect on dry eczema, itchy skin and rough skin.
Devil's Claw
A valuable anti-inflammatory and analgesic herb. Tablets are available from
health food stores and could be taken in conjunction with the massage oil.
Use the oil to treat rheumatic and other joint diseases, muscular strain,
inflammation of connective tissue, fibrositis, RSI, tendonitis.
Echinacea
Already very well known as an internal treatment echinacea also makes a
valuable oil for healing skin conditions of all types and cosmetically
softening wrinkles, stretchmarks and scars.
Elderflower
The flowers are the parts to use and I make and keep a good supply of this
oil for blending with calendula oil to make moisture lotions and creams. The
resultant oil is softening, anti-inflammatory, healing and good for all
skins.
Mullein
The yellow flowers and olive oil make a very valuable infused oil for the
treatment of simple earache. Prolonged or severe earache needs urgent
professional treatment. Use also for painful and inflamed conditions such as
wounds and haemorrhoids.
Plantain
I use a double quantity of this herb when making healing creams. It has
strongly astringent and soothing properties, helps to reduce the pain of
wounds, stings and insect bites, reduces the itching of haemorrhoids and
also helps to stop bleeding.
St John's Wort
Also known as Hypericum oil. When steeped in warm oil the yellow flowers
release a rich, ruby-red oil with analgesic, astringent and antiseptic
properties. The oil is excellent for easing the pain of minor burns, muscle
and joint inflammation, nerve related pain such as neuralgia, fibrositis and
wounds. The infused oil is available in most good health food stores but if
you can find the plant in flower it's really exciting to make this oil
yourself.
Orange Blossom (Neroli), Rose, Chamomile, Jasmine, Melissa (Lemon balm) are
all very expensive oils. Beautiful, effective and inexpensive massage oils
can be made from these plants using the infusion method.
If you want your finished oils to have a stronger aroma and action you can
add a few drops of essential oil. Store the oils (carefully labelled) in a
cool, dark place.
Refrigeration of the oils will ensure a much longer life as oxidation and
rancidity will be retarded.
Other Herbs to Use in Infused Oils
Skin oil: chamomile, calendula, elderflower, lavender, rosemary, rose,
jasmine.
Massage oil: chamomile, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, rosemary,
rose.
Healing ointments: calendula, comfrey, lavender, mallow, plantain, rosemary,
sage, thyme, valerian, violet, wormwood, yarrow.
I make very small amounts of triple strength oils ready to blend into
specific massage oils or ointments and make a large quantity of triple
strength calendula oil that I add to most of my blends.
Hot Method of Making Infused Oils
1. Half fill a jar with dried, crumbled (not powdered) plant material or
three quarters fill with wilted plant material.
2. Add 1 tablesthingy cider vinegar to the herbs (1 tablesthingy for each 2 cups
of oil that you will use), stir well, place a lid on and shake vigorously.
3. Leave for a few hours without heating, shaking often. The vinegar
releases properties that aren't released into oil.
4. Fill the jar with good quality oil--a blend of olive and grape seed would
be excellent, that has been warmed to blood heat. Fasten the top down firmly
and put the jar in a warm place; hot sun, a pan of hot water, a crock-pot
containing water, a radiator or the top of the refrigerator at the back for
24 hours. Shake the jar occasionally.
5. Heat should be no more than 45C-48C; if the oil overheats you will lose
some of the important volatile properties of the herbs.
6. Strain the oil first through a sieve and then through coarse muslin or a
coarse weave tea towel and squeeze to get as much oil as possible out of the
plant material, if you want a single strength oil you can go to stage 8.
7. Pour the strained oil back into the jar, add more plant material and if
necessary, top up with a little fresh oil to keep the quantity the same.
Fasten down the top firmly again and repeat the procedure. You can continue
to repeat the process several times (omitting stage 2 after the first
extraction) until you are satisfied with the strength.
8. Strain the oil through a kitchen sieve to remove most of the plant
material and then through the finest cloth you have. Pour the finished oil
into a jar. After a few days you will see sediment at the bottom of the jar.
Carefully decant the oil into a clean jar, leaving the sediment behind.
Refrigerate the oil until needed, if you have used olive oil it will thicken
in the refrigerator but that's alright, it will soon regain it's normal
appearance. I refrigerate or even freeze the sediment and use it in packs,
compresses and masks.
Cold Method of Making Infused Oils
The following is a method that has been employed by herbalists for centuries
and is called the 'Simplers' method, it feels very 'alchemic' and earthy but
works best if you live in a country where there are long, hot sunny days.
The above Hot Method tends to lose a lot of the natural perfume of the plant
material while the Cold Method retains more of the scent.
1. Put the lightly bruised flowers or leaves in a jar and cover to about 5cm
(2") above the plant material with a slightly warmed, delicate, scentless
oil such as grapeseed or almond. Unless the herbs are completely submerged
they will go mouldy.
2. Cover closely with a well fitting lid.
3. Have as little air space as possible in the jar or mould may be
encouraged to grow in the condensation that will form on the glass and the
inside of the lid.
4. Put in a sunny spot for one week. Bring the jar in at night (if you
remember!).
5. Repeat as for stage 6 of the Hot Method until the oil smells as strongly
as you desire. Strain well through a sieve and then through double
cheesecloth and follow stage 7 of the Hot Method.
Use the finished infused oil to incorporate into massage oils, ointments,
bath oils, skin care preparations, insect repellents or to use alone
This article contains information on a range of herbs or essential oils. It
is intended as a source of information, not as a medical reference book.
Remember that some herbs and essential oils that are beneficial for short
term use can be harmful if used for long periods. The reader is also advised
not to attempt self-treatment for serious or long-term problems without
consulting a health professional.
The author cannot be held responsible for any adverse reactions to the
recipes, recommendations and instructions contained in the article and the
use of any ingredient is entirely at the readers own risk.
Copyright Ó Nerys Purchon (AKA Ravenna Morgan). Permission is granted to
share this article with others, provided you do so in it's entirety and
include this copyright statement.
