Make an Herbal Oil for Your Skin
One of my favorite summer projects is making plant-infused oils. They are incredibly simple to create and can be used for various purposes such as making salves, lotions, chapstick, or even for cooking if you’re using edible herbs. These oils are a fantastic way to extract and preserve the beneficial properties of plants.
Getting Started
**Materials Needed:**
– A glass jar (mason jars, or repurposed salsa or pickle containers)
– Fresh or dried plants
– Your choice of liquid oil (organic sunflower oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, etc.)
Choosing Your Plants and Oil
**Plant Selection:**
My favorite plants to use in herbal oils are listed below, along with one of my favorite recipes. But there are lots of plants that can be great in an infused oil, feel free to experiment with your favorite plants just do some research to make sure they are skin safe before you use them!
– **Calendula**: Soothes and nourishes the skin and has anti-inflammatory properties.
– **Plantain (Plantago major or Plantago lanceolata)**: Great for soothing skin, has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. Considered a “weed” in most areas, you can find it growing almost anywhere especially compacted soils and along sidewalks.
– **Lavender**: Adds a pleasant fragrance and has calming properties. It’s also known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
– **Rose**: Provides a lovely scent and skin benefits. Can hydrate, soothe, and moisturize while also being rich in antioxidants.
– **Lemon Balm**: Known for its soothing and calming properties.
– **St. John’s Wort**: Brightens your mood and adds a unique red tint to the oil. It has wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties but can interact with certain medications, so ensure it’s safe for you before use. If unsure, substitute with calendula.
– **Clary Sage**: Calming and excellent for menstrual cramps. It’s also known for its antibacterial and antiseptic qualities.
Feel free to experiment with other plants you enjoy or have on hand.
**Oil Selection:**
– **Sunflower Oil**: This is my favorite oil to use. It’s light and absorbs well into the skin. It’s rich in vitamin E, which helps in moisturizing and regenerating the skin.
– **Almond Oil**: Has a pleasant almond scent and is also skin-friendly. It’s known for its emollient properties, making it excellent for dry skin.
– **Jojoba Oil**: Popular choice for its moisturizing properties. It’s similar to the skin’s natural sebum and helps balance oil production.
General Preparation
1. **Prepare Your Plants**:
– Using dried or partially dried plants reduces the risk of mold and can extend the shelf life of your oil.
– I prefer to use partially dried plants. Once I harvest them from my garden, I let them dry on a rack for a few days until they start to wilt and lose a bit of their moisture.
2. **Infusion Process**:
– **Natural Infusion**:
1. Fill your glass jar with the plant material (enough to fill the jar, leaving an inch of space from the rim).
2. Pour the oil over the plants, ensuring they are fully covered.
3. Place the jar in a sunny window for 2-6 weeks (less time if using fresh herbs).
4. Shake the jar daily.
5. After the infusion period, strain the oil through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar.
6. Store in a cool, dark place.
Using Your Herbal Oil
Your infused oil will have a light fragrance of the plants you used, making it a natural, lightly scented oil. This versatile oil can be used throughout the year for skincare, soothing bug bites, and dry skin. It also makes a great natural perfume and can also be used as an anointing oil to charge magical tools and talismans with solar energy.
My favorite oil to make is one I prepare annually around the summer solstice. I call it “Sun Oil” since all of the flowers and plants used are associated with solar energy. This recipe is especially good for skin as it contains plantain and calendula. I think it is better than anything else for itchy bug bites and soothing and preventing razor burn. The light summery scent from the lavender and calendula is absolutely magical and I love it for chasing away winter blues.
Recipe for a Summer Solstice Herbal Oil
**Ingredients:**
– 8 oz mason jar with lid
– Sunflower oil
– Plantain leaves
– Calendula flowers
– Lavender flowers
– St. John’s Wort petals
**Instructions:**
1. If using crushed dried herbs, use 1 tablespoon of each. For fresh or lightly dried whole herbs, fill the jar, leaving 1 inch of space from the rim.
2. Pour sunflower oil over the plant material until fully covered, ensuring all of the plant material is beneath the oil.
3. Place the jar in the sun on the summer solstice to soak up the rays of the longest day.
4. Move to a dark, cool location to infuse for several weeks.
5. Strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean jar. This will remove all of the plant material and help your oil keep longer.
6. Pour some of the oil into a refillable roller for easy application.
I love this annual ritual of infusing oil with summer herbs. It captures the essence of summer, providing a delightful, skin-nourishing oil that reminds you of the warmth and lushness of the season, even in winter. Happy infusing!
This oil is not meant to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any condition.
Bramble & Brimstone 