Oils: Carrier Oils and How to Make Herbal Infused Oil at Home

Let's talk about oils. First things first, oils are not the villains they are often made out to be. In fact, oils can be downright amazing! Unfortunately, the media has given oil a bad rap lately, but there's more to the story than what meets the eye. Sure, some oils can be harmful, and certain processes can turn an oil from good to not-so-good. However, amidst all the negativity, there exists a treasure trove of incredible oils that deserve our attention.

Carrier Oils

Also known as lipid oils, fixed oils, or true oils, are the foundation of herbal skincare. These wonderful oils are typically extracted from the seeds, nuts, or kernels of plants through pressing, yielding a rich, fatty-acid-packed oil that serves as both a standalone skincare ingredient and a vehicle for delivering the beneficial properties of medicinal herbs.

If you are familiar with oils like olive, avocado, or sesame seed oil, you already know some popular carrier oils. But there is a whole world of specialty oils waiting to be explored: oils like rosehip, blueberry seed, and hemp seed that offer unique therapeutic properties for skin and overall well-being.

The term "carrier oil" comes from its primary role: it carries essential oils and the precious phytochemicals from herbs infused into it. Not only do carrier oils have their own remarkable qualities, but they also serve as a delivery system for other plant extracts. They have been trusted companions in skincare and culinary endeavors for centuries.

Understanding Carrier Oils

Carrier oils can be categorized into two main groups:

Everyday Carrier Oils are affordable, versatile oils suitable for general use. These include:

• Olive oil

• Grapeseed oil

• Sweet almond oil

• Apricot kernel oil

• Sunflower oil

• Jojoba oil

• Avocado oil

High-Value or Specialty Oils possess specific therapeutic properties that make them highly beneficial. While they come with a higher price tag, you will usually need only a small amount to achieve the desired results. These include:

• Rosehip seed oil

• Sea buckthorn oil

• Pomegranate seed oil

• Carrot seed oil

• Raspberry seed oil

• Blueberry seed oil

• Hemp seed oil

• Tamanu oil

Incredible Health Benefits

Oils infused with medicinal herbs can offer a wide range of therapeutic benefits. When you infuse herbs into carrier oils, you're not just creating a skincare product—you're crafting a personalized remedy that delivers the healing properties of plants directly to your skin.

Plantain is a common yard weed, also known as white man's footprint or Englishman's foot, because it was said to grow where settlers walked. This resilient herb's ability to not only survive but thrive despite frequent trampling speaks volumes about its tenacity. It serves as a powerful reminder that just as plantain nurtures the soil, it can also lend its healing properties to our bodies, which may have endured similar hardships. Its application can provide much-needed relief from bug bites, stings, and rashes, and can even expedite the healing process by enhancing cell proliferation.

Calendula, a beautiful, resinous orange flower, has equally impressive healing abilities. Calendula is known for its exceptional soothing properties, particularly when it comes to caring for the skin. It's no wonder that calendula is often included in commercial cosmetic products; it's simply that effective!

Lavender not only positively impacts your emotions but also brings a light antiseptic quality. This makes it a fantastic choice for dealing with acne or irritated skin.

There are so many more amazing herbs with beneficial properties, such as antimicrobials, moisturizing, hemostatic, analgesic, and nerve-calming abilities. By creating your own herb-infused oils, you can unlock a multitude of benefits tailored to your specific needs. The properties of the herbs you choose will determine the outcomes.

Herbal Infusion

When it comes to creating herb-infused oils, the options are truly abundant. I have a lineup of favorite herbs that I adore working with, especially for topical applications. Calendula, chickweed, yard daisies, purple dead nettle, lavender, plantain, rosemary, yarrow, rose petals, pine needles, resins, mints, juniper berries, ginger, and cayenne are among my top choices. I find it particularly satisfying to utilize herbs that grow right in my own yard, ensuring their organic freshness.

I find it particularly satisfying to utilize herbs that grow right in my own yard, ensuring their organic freshness. There's an interesting theory that suggests we can reap enhanced health benefits from plants that grow in the same area and soil we inhabit. This connection between local plants and our well-being adds another layer of significance to working with herbs from our surroundings.

If you have local herb farms in your area, I highly encourage you to explore them and establish a connection with the farmers. For herbs I don't grow and cannot find locally, I buy from reputable herb retailers such as Starwest Botanicals; they have excellent quality, great customer service, and fast shipping.

Uses for Herb-Infused Oils

• Massage oils

• Body oils

• Soap making

• Salves and balms

• Body butters

• Culinary purposes (when both herbs and oil are edible)

Choosing Your Herbs

When it comes to creating herb-infused oils, the options are truly abundant. Here are some excellent herbs for topical applications:

Skin-Soothing Herbs

• Calendula

• Chickweed

• Plantain

• Lavender

• Rose petals

• Violet leaves

Healing & Restorative Herbs

• Comfrey leaf

• Yarrow

• Self-heal

• Purple dead nettle

• Yard daisies

Aromatic & Therapeutic Herbs

• Rosemary

• Pine needles

• Resins

• Mints

• Juniper berries

Warming & Stimulating Herbs

• Ginger

• Cayenne

• Dandelion flowers

Fresh or Dried Herbs

While fresh herbs can sometimes be a great choice, dried herbs are generally preferred for making infused oils. The reason is simple: moisture.

Introducing any amount of moisture into oil can create an environment conducive to mold growth, potentially leading to the oil going rancid. By using dried herbs, you minimize the risk of moisture contamination and ensure the longevity and stability of your infused oil.

Dried herbs have a lower water content, making them less prone to introducing unwanted moisture. This helps preserve the quality of the oil and reduces the likelihood of spoilage.

Exception: There may be certain occasions where fresh herbs are specifically called for in an infused oil recipe, such as with St. John's wort. In such cases, exercise extra caution to minimize moisture and promptly strain the oil from the fresh herbs to prevent any potential issues.

Methods for Making Infused Oils

There are various approaches to creating herb-infused oils. Let's explore the main options:

Quick Method vs. Slow Method

Quick Method: Involves heating the oil and herbs together (typically in a double boiler or slow cooker) to expedite the infusion process. This method can produce infused oils in hours to days.

Slow Method: Allows herbs to steep in oil over an extended period, typically 3-6 weeks. This slower approach allows for thorough extraction of the herb's properties without risking degradation of the oil through heat.

Both methods have their advantages and may be suitable for different purposes or time constraints.

Infusion Location

Solar Infusion: Some herbalists, such as Rosemary Gladstar, prefer infusing oils in a sunny location, believing that sunlight enhances the extraction process.

Cool, Dark Infusion: Other herbalists prefer infusing oils in a cool, dark location to prevent any potential degradation from light and heat.

Both are time-tested methods, so it comes down to personal preference. I prefer the cool, dark method for maximum oil stability.

Single Herb vs. Multiple Herb Infusions

Simples (Single Herb Infusion): Infuse one herb per oil. This approach allows you to focus on the unique properties of each herb individually. These simple infused oils can be used as-is or combined with other herb oils to create custom formula blends later.

Formula (Multiple Herb Infusion): Infuse a combination of herbs into the same oil. This method allows for complex and synergistic blends that combine the properties of multiple herbs right from the start.

Consider your specific goals when deciding between the two approaches. I often prefer making simples, so I have more flexibility when formulating later.

The Folk Method for Infusing Oils

The folk method is a simple, intuitive approach that doesn't require precise measurements. Here's the basic process:

• Fill your jar about halfway to two-thirds full with dried herbs

• Pour carrier oil over the herbs to the shoulder of the jar, leaving a little headroom for expansion

• Cover and label the jar with the herb name and date

• Let it infuse in a cool, dark location for 3-6 weeks

• Strain through a fine mesh sieve or muslin cloth, squeezing to extract all the oil

• Bottle and label your finished infused oil
  

  

Storage & Shelf Life

To ensure the longevity and quality of your infused oils (as well as uninfused carrier oils), proper storage is essential.

Storage Guidelines

• Store in cool, dark places

• Use dark or opaque bottles to limit light exposure

• Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture and air from entering

• Avoid temperature fluctuations

• Keep away from heat sources

Enemies of Oil Stability

• Heat

• Light

• Moisture

• Oxygen (air)

The shelf life of infused oil depends on the shelf life of the carrier oil used. Most carrier oils have a shelf life of 1-2 years, though some (like jojoba and meadowfoam) are more stable. A reasonable expectation for most infused oils is one year when properly stored.

Extending Shelf Life

• Add rosemary extract or vitamin E oil (5ml per cup of oil) as an antioxidant

• Choose more stable carrier oils like jojoba, olive, or meadowfoam

• Store in the refrigerator if space allows

What If I Forgot About My Infusion?

Don't panic! Leaving herbs in oil longer than the typical infusion time may actually have some benefits. At a certain point, the oil can no longer extract additional properties from the plants—the herbs essentially remain in the oil without any further infusion taking place. Some herbalists believe that keeping the herbs in the oil can contribute to its stability.

However, use your senses to assess the oil's condition:

• If the oil smells rancid or has a foul odor, discard it

• If you see signs of mold or microbial growth, discard it

• If the oil appears and smells fine, strain and use it

When in doubt, it is best to err on the side of caution and discard the oil if it appears or smells off.

Folk Method Recipes to Try

Self-Heal Skin Oil

A soothing, healing oil perfect for facial care and minor skin issues.

Ingredients and Supplies

• Pint or half-pint jar

• Carrier oil of choice (olive, grapeseed, or jojoba oil are all great options)

• Freshly dried Self-heal (can substitute with plantain, chickweed, or a blend of these herbs)

• Rosemary extract or vitamin E oil as an antioxidant (optional)

• Dispensing bottle

Instructions

Chop up your freshly dried herb and place it into your canning jar to about half full.

Pour the carrier oil over the herb and fill to the shoulder of the jar, leaving a little headroom for expansion.

Cover the jar and label it. Let it sit in a cool, dark location for about 4 weeks.

Strain the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or muslin. If using muslin, carefully make a ball with the herbs inside and squeeze out the remaining oil.

Optionally, add 5ml of either rosemary extract or vitamin E oil to give your oil an antioxidant boost.

Pour the finished oil into the final bottle and label it.

To Use: Apply a small amount to your face every morning and night as a facial serum.

Golden Calendula Oil

A beautiful, versatile oil for all types of skin irritation and inflammation.

Ingredients and Supplies

• Pint or half-pint jar

• Olive oil (or carrier oil of choice, such as apricot kernel or sweet almond oil)

• Freshly dried calendula flowers

• Dispensing bottle

Instructions

Fill your jar to about two-thirds full of calendula buds.

Pour olive oil over the calendula and up to the shoulder of the jar, leaving a little headroom for expansion.

Cover the jar and label it. Let it sit and infuse for about 4 weeks.

Strain out the flowers, rebottle, and label.

Optional: You can infuse another batch of calendula buds in the oil to make a double-strength infusion.

To Use: Apply to skin rashes, dry patchy skin, or use as a massage oil, especially for lymph massage. You can also use this oil to make a salve to help all varieties of minor skin issues.

Muscle Rub Dandelion Oil

Perfect for sore, tired muscles after a long day of physical work.

Ingredients and Supplies

• Pint or half-pint jar

• Olive oil

• Air-dried dandelion flowers (air dry at room temp for a couple of days, flowers that start fluffing are still ok)

• Dispensing bottle with flip-top lid

Instructions

Fill your jar to about two-thirds full of dandelion flowers.

Pour olive oil over the dandelion flowers and up to the shoulder of the jar, leaving a little headroom for expansion.

Cover the jar and label it. Let it sit and infuse for about 4 weeks.

Strain out the flowers, rebottle, and label.

To Use: Apply as a muscle rub for sore and spasming muscles. You can also use this oil to make a lotion with magnesium chloride for even more muscle-soothing benefits.

Final Thoughts

Creating herb-infused carrier oils is a very rewarding and practical skill in herbal skincare. With just a few simple ingredients: quality carrier oil, dried herbs, and patience, you can craft therapeutic oils tailored to your specific needs.

Start with one or two simple infusions using herbs you have access to. See how they work for your skin, experiment with different carriers, and build your collection over time. Before long, you will have a shelf full of beautiful, nourishing oils ready to use in balms, salves, body butters, and more.

The beauty of this practice is its simplicity and flexibility. Trust your instincts, use your senses, and enjoy the process of creating your own herbal remedies. I highly recommend keeping a journal of your experiments, recipes, and results; check out this notebook in my shop.