Make a simple body oil.

Slide into something more herbal.

Join me on March 8 at 11 AM ET for a DIY Lotion Making Class.

Bring your dry winter skin! You’ll leave with something smooth. Learn more here.

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Making your own herbal oil is an essential first step on your way to lotion. To prepare for the class, or just have something botanically medicinal lying around, start with how making herbal oil at home. If you’re looking for something small to do, that gives you a sense of accomplishment almost instantly; this is it.

It's a nice time of year to use the sun-infused method. Tasked with shaking the jar, we direct our attention each day for a moment in the direction of light.

TWO WAYS TO MAKE HERBAL OIL

Sun-Infused Herbal Oil

This is a set-it-and-forget-it recipe. It’s a simple, accessible, and friendly way to make oil. It doesn't require much equipment and is well-suited to any age. My 7-year-old nephew could do this on his own with gentle reminders to check in on the oil every day. And I'm sure his 3-year-old brother would be delighted to help shake the jar if there was a padded room to do it in.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried organic herbs

• 1 1/3 cups organic oil

Tools

• Clean, airtight glass jar

• Measuring cup

• Something long and thin like a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula

• Cheesecloth or French press

• Label/tape and marker

Directions

1. Fill an airtight glass jar with your herbs.

2. Pour the oil over the herbs until they are fully submerged. If you need to add more oil, go ahead.

3. Use a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon to mix the herbs with the oil, ensuring the herbs are coated well.

4. Seal the jar tightly and place it in a sunny location for 2–4 weeks. Let it infuse indoors on a plate in a sunny window (the jar may leak slightly) or outdoors.

5. Shake it daily. I like to shake mine when I wake up and before bed. Look for subtle changes in the color of the oil; when it seems to plateau, it's ready.

6. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth. If you see a future for yourself in regular herbal oil infusion, a handy trick is to use a French press and buy one to devote to this purpose. Compost leftover herbs.

7. Transfer the oil to a clean container (don't forget to label it or transfer your label) and discard the herbs. Choose a container that fits your amount of oil; the less airspace at the top of the jar, the longer it will keep.

8. Store in a cool, dark place away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Don't store large quantities of oil above your stove or in your bathroom.

Double-Boiler Herbal Oil

This is a quick method that requires more attention.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried organic herbs

• 1 1/3 cups organic oil

Tools

• Clean, airtight glass jar

• Measuring cups

• Heat-proof glass bowl

• Pot

• Something long and thin like a chopstick or the handle of a wooden spoon or spatula

• Cheesecloth or French press

• Label/tape and marker

Directions

1. Measure your herbs and oil into a heat-proof glass bowl.

2. Find a pot that allows the bottom of the bowl to dip below the rim of the pot when placed inside.

3. Put a few inches of water in the pot and place the bowl on top.

4. Heat the mixture over low heat for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally. Be sure to check on the water level and add more as necessary.

5. Look for subtle changes in the color of the oil; when it seems to plateau, it's ready. Turn the heat off and let the oil cool to room temperature.

6. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth. If you see a future for yourself in regular herbal oil infusion, a handy trick is to use a French press and buy one to devote to this purpose. Compost leftover herbs.

7. Transfer the oil to a clean container (don't forget to label it or transfer your label) and discard the herbs. Choose a container that fits your amount of oil; the less airspace at the top of the jar, the longer it will keep.

8. Store in a cool, dark place away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Don't store large quantities of oil above your stove or in your bathroom.

NOTES

You Can Make Any Amount of Oil

Suppose you don't quite have a cup of herbs and don't care about making lotion or cream. In that case, you can make botanical-infused oil from any amount of herbs: a heaping 1/3 cup, 1 Tablespoon, a handful, all workable.

Find an appropriate-sized container and fill it with herbs—no need to measure—then cover them with oil so that the herbs are lightly swimming and gently suspended in the oil. To finish, follow the directions for sun-infused herbal oil.

This is a great way to get to know different herbs or oils and experiment with how they feel on your body. They won't go bad and make great gifts if you want to pawn them off on other people after you've decided which one you like best.

Never Apply Oil to a Fresh Burn

Whether it's from the stove or the sun. Burns need to breathe; oil doesn't let them.

Form a Medicine-Making Collective

You can do this wherever you live on any scale. This does double duty.

1. It cuts down on cost and waste.

2. It builds a community founded on care.

Ways to Use Herbal Oil

• Self-massage or have spa night with someone you’re sweet on.

• Oil your hair and give yourself a little scalp rub.

• Apply to sore muscles after traveling, a big workout, a pick-up soccer game, or if you got bruised at the skate park.

• After tubby time, apply oil to your baby’s skin.

• Use after a shower, bath, the hot springs, washing your face, or exfoliating.

• Gift it to someone for no good reason at all.
  

SUPPLIES

Carrier Oils

There are lots of carrier oils to choose from. I use olive oil most often for body lotions and creams because it suits my skin. It’s also what I recommend if you’re just starting out and plan to use it in class—it’s pretty easy to come by.

You can always test various oils on your skin before committing to an infused oil.

• Almond

• Apricot

• Avocado

• Castor

• Olive

• Jojoba

• Sesame

• Sunflower

Herbs

• Calendula flower: Calms skin rashes, bruises, healing wounds, and eczema. Potent but gentle enough for babies with diaper rash, cradle cap, or other irritations.

• Chamomile flower: Soothes inflammatory conditions like arthritis and eczema. Assists in wound healing.

• Chickweed leaves: Excellent for cooling anything hot, like irritated, itchy rashes. Gentle enough for diaper rash, strong enough for a sting from nettle or poison ivy.

• Lavender flower: This one is scented, adding another healing level. It's soothing to wounds and good for scrapes; kids love it.

• Nettle root, leaves: Super nourishing with lots of vitamins and minerals, great for supporting healthy hair and growth.

• Plantain leaves: Really good at drawing stuff out, like stings and splinters. It's underrated for its hydrating power, my fave for winter dry skin.

• Rosemary leaves: Gently stimulating and mildly pain relieving, making it great for massage after a workout. Cleansing and invigorating the scalp. I infuse castor oil and use a few drops in my hair once a week.

• Yarrow leaves, flowers: Really good at stopping bleeding. It is also great for helping the skin eliminate, making it a great cleansing oil: massage it in and wipe it away with a warm wet cloth.

If you have specific questions, please ask them in the comments below instead of emailing me so everyone can benefit from the discussion!

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Anything offered here is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. As an herbalist and health educator, my job is to share knowledge and skills related to herbalism and holistic practices. In the United States, herbalists don't hold state or federal licenses. Everyone’s needs and response to herbs vary, so not everything here may apply to you. Whether the information is sourced from an herbalist or prescribed by a physician, having more knowledge empowers us to make better-informed health decisions.