How to Make an Herbal/Oil Infusion: Its Easier Than You Think!

   Once you have decided upon the herbs and oils that are beneficial for the project you have in mind, it is time to infuse the herbs into the oils. How to Make an Herbal/Oil Infusion: Its Easier Than You Think!

   There are two traditional methods of infusing herbs into an oil. The hot oil infusion method is quick and painless, while the cold infusion method can take anywhere from 6 to 8 weeks. I was taught that the cold infusion method is more medicinally beneficial, but after working with both cold and hot infused oils both, I find each method has its own pro’s and con’s. I always tell my students to use the method that fits the need at hand.  You can feel free to decide an appropriate method for your self depending on how quickly you need your herbal infused oil.

   The cold infusion method is wonderful for both fresh and dried herbs. Dry herbs tend to make more potent oil and there is less of a chance of the oil going rancid. Fresh herbs have a higher water content, which can lead to rancid oil or mold issues, so extra care should be taken when infusing fresh herbs in oil. I tend to usually work with dry herbs, but when herbs like St. John’s wort, Jewelweed and Chickweed are in season I will certainly make some nice fresh infused oils with them.

 Traditional Cold-Infusion Method: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients:                                                                                                  

• Fresh or dried herbs
• Oil of your choice (I Prefer Olive Oil)
• 1 quart (or smaller) mason jar

1. Harvest your herbs during the cooler part of the day, from a clean garden or wild-crafted area (respectfully) without pesticides, herbicides, or pets using the restroom.   Be sure they are dry. Do not rinse the herbs. OR – obtain the dry herbs and measure them out to take up about half of your glass infusion container.

2. Place the fresh or dry herbs in a sterilized dry glass jar. If you are using fresh herbs, let the herbs wilt for 12-24 hours before placing them in the jar. Once they have wilted, fill the jar ¾ full with the fresh herb, chopped.  If you are using dry herbs fill the jar approximately half way with the dry herb, cut and sifted.

3. Cover the herbs completely with the carrier oil of choice.

4. Use a wooden chopstick or something similar to push the herbs under the oil and release all the air bubbles. You may have to do this a few times during the first day. For fresh herbs: Some herbs will float to the top for the first week or two. Be sure to keep them completely submerged under the oil to reduce the risk of the oil going rancid or moldy. This may require a lot of poking at them but eventually they will sink below the oil line. For dry herbs: Put a lid on the jar and don’t worry about it.

5. Top the jar completely with olive oil leaving about an inch of oil over your herb matter.

6. If you are using dry herbs you can screw a lid on the jar and set it in a warm dark place-like a kitchen cupboard.   If you are using fresh herbs place some cheesecloth or a coffee filter over the top of the jar and secure it with a rubber band. This will allow the water from the herbs to evaporate and escape from the oil, decreasing your chance for rancidity.

7. Place your jars in a dark location and allow for the infusion of the oils over time.

8. Label the jars with the exact date you started them and let them infuse for 4-6 weeks. Fresh herbs shouldn’t be left in the oil for longer than 4-6 weeks. Dry herbs can be left in the jar until they are ready to use.
9. Using a fine mesh filter lined with cheesecloth, filter the herbs from the oil into a separate glass jar. (If you can find Jelly-Bags, those work perfectly)

10. If you used fresh herbs, allow that oil to sit covered with breathable barrier again for a day or two. After that time check the bottom of the jar to see if any water has collected on the bottom. If so extract the oil from the top of the jar, leaving the water with a thin layer of oil on top to be discarded.

11. Decant your finished oil into a cobalt or brown colored jar to protect from UV damage, or in a mason jar and stored in a cool, dry, dark place.

12. You can add some vitamin e oil to help extend the shelf life. You can also add a few drops of myrrh or rosemary essential oil as antioxidants to extend shelf life and protect from rancidity.

Herb infused oils need to be stored with a tight fitting lid in a cool dry place out of the light. If they are stored properly, the can last as long as the oils expiration date. Be sure to label your oil with the date you made it so you know when its shelf life will end.

Hot-Oil Infusion: A Step-by-Step Guide

Infusing herbs into oils with heat takes a lot less time, it reduces the chances for fresh herbs to turn the oil rancid or moldy, and extracts more volatile oils and color from the herbs. It is a good choice for a quick project or  if you just don’t have the time to wait for the cold infusion method. 

Ingredients:

• Heatproof Mason jar or double boiler.
• Oil of choice
• Herb of choice (fresh or dried)
• Double boiler or stainless steel large saucepan.

Directions:

1. Place the herbs in the sanitized jar or double boiler as you would in the cold method.
2. Pour oil in the jar as you would the cold method, being cautious not to add oils that denature easily in heat.
3. Add water to your double boiler or saucepan, about 1/3 to 1/2 up the pan. You want to be sure that when the jar is placed in the water, it has water up the sides covering the area of the jar where the oil is, but you don’t want any water to come into contact with your oil.
4. Place the double boiler or pot on the stove and turn the stove on low. The water should be steaming but not simmering or boiling. Ideally, you want the water under 170 degrees. Some people can do this in crock pots, but mine runs way too hot, even on low, and burns the herbs, so I don’t use this method.
5. Place the jar into the water, being sure no water will get into the jar/bowl. Double boilers don’t have this problem.
6. Allow the jars to sit in the warm bath for 12-24 hours, being sure the water never runs low, as that can crack the jar and destroy the herb, and never gets too hot, again avoiding burning the herb.
7. Allow the oil to cool to room temperature and strain and store as described above.

Jim is a Master Herbalist, Holistic Nutritionist and Health Coach located in Youngstown, OH. He is also a father, husband, and avid gardener. He has a passion for teaching people about the plants we can work with to maintain wellness-of the Body, Mind and Spirit.  He is the founder of The House of Life-Botanicals, the Chapter Coordinator of the Herbal Allies-Herbalist's Without Borders Chapter in the Greater Youngstown, OH area and works with people clinically to help them reach their health goals while also making a line of organic, handmade herbal products.