Oil infusions

Winter is the time for me to recoup for spring. It's also been a good time to make herbal products and soap. Oil infusions are really simple and can be used directly on the skin or in soaps and lotions. So where to start?

🥥The most straight forward oil infusions are with saturated fats like coconut oil, lard or tallow. I just packed in a whole lot of violet leaves with the dregs of the coconut oil in the glass jar, boiled it for 2 hours in a water bath with the lid off the jar, removed the plant material and let it cool. It's now in a dark cool place with the lid on for storage. I will add as needed to creams I make.

🌼Over the warmer months I have made oil infusions with St John's Wort or calendula flowers. I pack in as many flowers (in the case of St John's Wort) or petals (for the calendula) leave it on a sunny windowsill for 4 weeks and remember to shake it a couple of times a day to prevent mould. Mould can be an issue with fresh material so you need to keep and eye on that. Strain through muslin and store with the lid on in a cool dark place. From St John's Wort's yellow flowers you end up with a stunning red oil (indicated for nerve and viral skin issues) and from the calendula a glorious golden oil (indicated for irritated and itchy dry skin).

🌹As we speak, I have rose petals infusing in almond oil. My daughter and I love the scent of roses in skin products and how soothing they are for the skin. I will leave this infusion 6-8 weeks then strain through muslin and use in creams and lotions. I shake the infusion regularly but there is low risk of mould due to it being from dry plant material.