How to Make Solar Infused Herbal Oil

Herbal infused oils can be used to create all sorts of body care products. They’re useful for massage oils, facial serums, body creams, salves, soap and lip balms. Additionally, you can make culinary oils to use to enhance your favorite recipes. And what better time than now, when the sun is warming up the land?

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There are several ways to infuse herbal compounds into oils, but my favorite is the “folk” or “simpler” method. By using the power of the sun your oils will be gently infused with healing herbal goodness.

To get started you’ll need a little information on the types of carrier oils you’ll need for your different types of oils.

Types of Herbal Oils

Culinary Herbal Oils for Enhancing Your Recipes

Bump up the deliciousness of your favorite recipes with herbal oils. A few good choices for herbal oil infusions include rosemary, oregano, basil, tarragon, bay leaves, chives, dill, mint, marjoram, savory, and thyme. You could also add ingredients like citrus peel and dried berries, for even more flavor.

To make herbal oils for cooking a light olive oil will work best. This is due to the lighter flavor not competing with your herbs. Olive oil has a long shelf life making it a good choice although avocado oil works nicely here too.

DIY Skincare Preparations & Candlemaking

Herbs, flowers and resins are common in creating nice skincare preparations. A few good choices for skincare oils are calendula, lavender, arnica, comfrey root or leaf, lemon balm, myrrh, frankincense, rose hips and geranium.

Your oils can be used for making massage oils, lip balms, salves, facial serums, soaps, body creams, hair treatments and more. Many different organic carrier oils are available with jojoba and olive having the longest shelf life. Also, sunflower, almond, coconut and grapeseed oils are all good choices.

Adding a little Vitamin E oil to your infused skincare oils helps to prolong the shelf life due to its preservative properties.

Making your own herbal oils is an easy way to preserve herbs for cooking or DIY skincare products.

How to Infuse Oils With Herbs

Solar or “Folk” Method

The healing power of the sun will naturally infuse the goodness of your flowers, herbs and resins! Dried herbs are recommended because moisture in the plant material could cause mold. Always go organic if at all possible to keep your oils pure and chemical free.

Directions:

Place your herbs of choice into a clean dry quart mason jar. Leave about 2 inches of open space above your herbs to cover with oil. You can find mason jars HERE.
Fill your jar with your choice of oil to one inch above herbs. Stir and press down on your herbs to make sure any air bubbles are released. Your oil should have at least one inch of headroom between oil and lid. If your herbs emerge above the oil’s surface when they expand, add a bit more oil to make sure they stay covered.
Place the lid on your jar snuggly and shake well.
Place your jar in a warm sunny windowsill, shaking once or twice a day.
After 2-3 weeks strain your herbs using a layer of cheesecloth over a mesh strainer. I let mine sit for about an hour to ensure all the oil drains out of the herbs. You can also squeeze the cheesecloth to get the last drops. You can find cheesecloth HERE and mesh strainer HERE.
Pour your herbal oil into clean dry glass bottles. You can find glass storage bottles HERE.
Label your jars with the type of oil, herbs used and date. You can find labels HERE.
Store your herbal oil in a cool dark place. Your oils should keep for about a year. Add a teaspoon of Vitamin E oil per 8 ounces in your cosmetic/body care oils to prolong the shelf life.

Have Fun With It

Making your own herbal oils is an easy and fun way to add flavor to your recipes and healing properties to your skincare regime. Mix a few together and experiment! I like making an herbal oil with calendula petals and chamomile petals to use in my serums and other body care recipes. It’s calming and anti-aging. What more could you possibly want?