Peppermint essential oil is good for muscle aches. The best idea for soothing muscles with peppermint oil is to apply pure essential peppermint oil directly on the skin surrounding the affected muscles, right? NO! This is wrong! Do not ever do this. Pure essential oils are often too harsh on your skin, especially broken skin. You need an oil infusion, and in these three easy steps fr beginners, you can make your own.
An oil infusion is carrier oil (like jojoba or olive oil) that has been 'infused' with flowers, herbs, or resins! As the desired parts of the plant (or even the plant in its entirety) saturate in oil, the medicinal properties of the plant is extracted into the carrier oil. This infusion allows the beneficial properties to be used in multiple ways.
Oil infusions draw out the therapeutic properties of plants and offer our skin the replenishing benefits from the carrier oil. Essentially, you are harnessing the healing power of a plant and turning it into something that can soothe skin and support healing.
By triggering the synthesis of skin cells, oil infusions hasten the healing process of sores, bruises, cuts, and scrapes. The irritated skin is soothed by the oil while being medicinally active, thanks to the herbal components.
Oil infusions are easy to make and, in my personal opinion, one of the best places to start if you’re just getting started in herbal medicine. First, you have to pick a carrier oil. Examples of carrier oils are organic olive oil (probably the most versatile) “…sweet almond oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, baobab oil, tamanu oil, castor oil, grapeseed oil, argan oil, avocado oil, apricot kernel oil, emu oil, and many more. Rendered fat or tallow, like bear fat, can also be used…” - The Lost Book of Remedies, by Nicole Apelian, pg. 37.
Accruing evidence suggests that bioactives present in herbals infusions could have a diverse range of biological effects, including potential anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-thrombotic and vasodilatory actions, as well as anti-mutagenic, anti-carcinogenic and anti-ageing effects. (4)
Oil Infusions: Easy Steps for Beginners
The first step to making an oil infusion (after picking a carrier oil) is to shred or crush dried herbs, lightly packing them into a clean, sterilized glass jar. How much you fill the jar depends on the chemical content of your herb and how potent you want your infusion. A stronger herb like cinnamon will require less of the plant in an infusion than that of a more mild herb such as rosemary. 1/3 of the jar being filled with your desired herb is a good rule of thumb for a minimum amount. You can use fresh herbs (as opposed to dried) but there are precautions to be aware of. I’ll list those below.
The next step is to pour your organic carrier oil over the herbs, filling to within ½ inch (1.25 cm) of the top. Mix well, and be sure to remove all air bubbles. Label the date and herb mixture on the jar. Normally, I put my jars in a window to let the heat from the sun activate the infusion.
This process takes six to eight weeks.
If you store your jar for longer than eight to ten weeks, then your oil may go rancid. It’s important to frequently mix around your oil and herbs. This can be done simply by rotating the jar. According go The Lost Book of Remedies by Nicole Apelian, you can kickstart certain herbs with a little heat by placing glass jars in a water bath on low for a day or two and then storing them for six to eight weeks.
In the final step, strain out the herbs using a cheesecloth or a tincture press after six to eight weeks. You can store the oil in a clean, sterile jar. This oil is suitable for direct use in medicine. It can also serve as a key ingredient in the making of salves. It has a shelf life of approximately one to two years.
If it suits you best, you could make a “hot infusion”. Essentially all steps are the same save one. Instead of placing a jar on a shelf or in a window, you would use a crock pot for a water bath. Place your jars (make certain they are glass) in the crock pot (filled with water) to cook on low. This process will take 48-72 hours. You may have to add more water to ensure your crock pot stays full.
Warnings:
• In times past, when making a standard oil infusion (not a hot infusion), I have used fresh herbs. This usually calls for a touch of alcohol (organic vodka) to prevent mold. If you’re using this method, it is pivotal that you don’t skip out on rotating your jar around to keep the herbs moving. Personally, when I’m using fresh herbs, I only infuse the plant for 2-3 weeks, then strain.
• If you are using fresh herbs in a hot infusion, leave the caps off the jars. This allows the moisture evaporate out. Pay attention to the water from your water bath ensuring none gets into your infusion.
• Make certain that your jar is sterile. One time, I used an old jalapeño jar…let’s just say it was a lesson learned.
• The common form of Coconut oil is sensitive to temperature as it will change consistency in various degrees. There is a refined version that is more temperature stable.
Tips:
• One of my favorite ingredients for a skin infusion is vitamin E oil.
• Essential oils can be applied to an infusion for additional medicinal benefits
Sources:
1. Nurtur Health CA. http://nurtur.ca
2. Nicole Apelian, Ph.D. & Claude Davis, The Lost BookOf Herbal Remedies.
3. Image from, Aimee Mars Living aimeemars.com
4. Image from, The Butter Half, https://www.thebutterhalf.com
About Me:
Hello, my name is Shannon. I joined FireKeepers International as a volunteer in 2023. In 2014, I began the Master Herbalist program at Trinity School of Natural Health and completed the program in September 2017. Since then, my main studies have been Biblical truths, astronomy, and the Hebrew language. I am a born and raised “Michigander,” living in one of Northern Michigan’s beautiful national forests. When I’m not keeping busy with the homestead, you can find me out in nature or hibernating in my cabin.
Excellent article and information. Thank you.
Nice article! My wife and our adult children live in N W Michigan and probably enjoy and appreciate the same as you. Just made a batch of Bison Tallow and enhanced it with some essential oils. I have a recipe handed down from American Indian side of family that I would
Like to try once I aquire some of the other ingredients. Thank you for the article and God bless!