HERBAL INFUSED BODY OILS

Making an herbal infused oil is a simple process with a highly beneficial outcome for skin and hair, rich in minerals and handcrafted without toxins. Carrier oils used as a base, are poured over dried herbs and placed in the sunlight. The traditional solar method of infusing oil allows the sunlight to slowly heat and extract the medicinal properties of the herbs. The oil is placed on a sunny window sill to capture sunlight, the outcome is a luscious herbal infusion for face and body. After you strain your infusion, store your botanical oil in a cool, dry place such as a bathroom cabinet. Shelf life is roughly 6 months to 1 year.

Carrier oils

These are cosmetic grade plant oils that are an essential component for crafting skincare. Depending on your skin type, there may be different oils you prefer such as sweet almond, jojoba, olive, or sunflower oils. Sweet Almond Oil makes a rounded base carrier oil for infusing dried herbs and creating salves. Almond oil is also very topically nourishing for the skin and works well with all skin types. You can find cosmetic carrier oils in most bath and beauty aisles of grocery stores, or online.

Dried Botanicals:

It is very important when adding botanicals or herbs to your oils, that they are dried, clean and free from moisture.

Here are some medicinal qualities of botanicals I frequently use in my apothecary blends and their benefits:

Lavender: antibacterial, calming, cleansing
Rose: high in Vitamin C, astringent properties, reduces inflammation
Calendula: improves cell rejuvenation for topical cuts, “natures band-aid”
Rosehip: the fruit of the rose, packed with anti-aging nutrients, brightens & tones skin

A short video tutorial on DIY Herbal Infused Oils and their benefits.

RECIPE:

Add a layer of dried herbs to your 4oz glass jar so that it covers the bottom, up to about an inch thick. Use any blend of botanicals and herbs that call to you.
Pour a carrier oil over the dried herbs in the jar, leaving about a 1/2 inch at the top for the botanicals to expand as they are infused over the next few weeks. Take your clean spoon and mix the herbs up, make sure they are all coated in oil.
Cap & label your botanical oil and remember to date it.
Over the next 2 weeks, let your botanical oil sit in a sunny window for a solar infusion. This will lightly warm the herbs and let their medicinal qualities absorb into the oil. Do not open the lid of your oil for the duration of the infusion. You can shake it every few days to allow the botanicals inside get mixed even more.
These can infuse for 2-6 weeks. Mark your calendar, and after at least 2 weeks, it is time to strain.
Use a double mesh strainer, or cheesecloth and strain your herbs from your 4 oz jar into a clean container. You can compost the dried herbs once they are separated from the jar. You are now left with a luxurious face, body, & bath oil that can also be used as a base for preparing salves.

USES:

Use these gorgeous luxe oils have an abundance of uses: