Making infused oil is a great way to incorporate the properties and benefits of the herbs into the oil. The infused oil can then be used to make soap or lotions.
These are the olive oil infusions for my future soap and lotion recipes. All have a very unique and soothing scent!
1. Calendula: promote wound healing, reduce inflammation
2. Moxa: dispel cold, warm acupuncture meridians, stop pain
3. Pu'er Chrysanthemum: antioxidant, reduce inflammation
4. Ginger Goji: dispel cold, warm acupuncture meridians, antioxidant
5. Lemongrass: natural insect repellent, reduce bad odor, anti-fungal & anti-bacterial
HOW TO INFUSE OIL:
1. Clean a glass jar thoroughly. Spray it with alcohol and let the alcohol evaporate. Make sure it's completely dry before you put in the dried herbs. I usually use a hairdryer to make sure there are no water droplets left inside the bottle.
2. Fill the 1/2 - 3/4 full of dried herbs.
3. Pour in the oil slowly to make sure the herbs are completely soaked and covered in the oil. Stir the jar a little to get rid of the air bubbles.
4. Seal the jar. Sit the glass jar in a warm place (eg. windowsill), and shake the jar a little each day to make sure the herbs are "dancing" in the oil. This will quicken the infusion process.
5. It's ready in 4-6 weeks! Strain the oil to get rid of any impurities. Put the remaning herbs in a large teabag/soybean milk bag, and squeeze until every droplet of oil has been extracted. Throw out the herbs.
6. Label the bottle (oil type, herb & date) and store the infused oil in a cool, dark and dry place. The infused oil is ready to be used immediately.
*The oil can become rancid or prone to bateria growth if moisture is introduced into the oil. This is why it is crucial to completely dry the bottle and the herbs before infusing it together.
