Making Infused Herbal Oil

The Sassy Llama Way

We recommend making at least a quart’s worth at a time. The finished infused oil is the key ingredient to make salve, in addition to being an excellent skin moisturizer.

For salve recipes, check our Herbal Recipe page. For moisturizing tips, go to the bottom of this page.

Supplies & Ingredients

2 part Organic Olive Oil

1 part Dried Herb of Choice

(flower, leaf or root will work!)

Homemade Double Boiler

Glass measuring cup

Wooden spoon

Spatula

Cheesecloth

Fine mesh strainer

To set up:

Place a stainless steel bowl on top of a pan with a couple inches of water in it. The idea is to gently heat the oil in the bowl by simmering the water underneath. The steam created gently warms the oil, which leads to infusion of the herbs.

Add 1 part dried herb to two parts organic olive oil to the bowl. Allow to heat gently for at least two hours, longer if possible. Stir regularly to ensure that all herbs are coated in oil and getting warmed thoroughly.

Once the herbs begin to feel and look “crispy,” remove from heat. Pour warmed, infused oil into glass measuring cup through fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth, using spatula to get as much as possible. Allow it to sit for a few minutes.

After it has cooled, gather ends of cheesecloth and squeeze out remaining drops of infused oil. Repeat straining with clean cheesecloth to ensure no bits of herb remain in oil.

Once oil has cooled to room temperature, pour into glass jars for storage. Herbs can go into compost.

Stores for up to one year in cupboard with consistent moderate temperature. To ensure it is still safe to work with, smell for rancidity and look at oil for any sign of change. It should still be clear and free of any debris.

The finished infused oil can be applied directly to skin as a moisturizer. Keep a glass bottle with a pump dispenser in the bathroom. After bathing, rub oil into skin from head to toe before getting dressed. Watch for slippery feet, though!

Apply a small amount to hair and rub into scalp. If it makes hair look too oily, just do it a few hours, or even overnight, before washing hair to feel the benefit without the oily look.

Keep bottles of infused oil about the house and apply it often to hands, face and arms. A small bottle at the office would be handy, too.