It's simple really..to make your own herbal oil to use. You don't have to pay the sometimes costly prices for storebought oils. Homemade oil works just as well, I make and use them myself. Here are 2 simple recipes (use whichever method works best for you)...
~Method 1 You will need:
-Glass jar with lid (i use mason jars)
-Olive oil (don't worry about getting the extra virgin expensive stuff, the least expensive light olive oil works just fine)
-Your Main Ingredient (herbs, spices, or flowers)
Now you're ready! It depends on how strong you want the oil and whether your main ingredient is dried, fresh, or on the stem as to how much you put into the jar. It's pretty much eyeballing like when you cook. Don't worry about being precise. I usually fix a small jar full at a time, but of course if you use a bigger jar you'll put more of your main ingredient.
~STEP 1...
Main Ingredient- if it is...
DRIED: Put in 2 to 3 Tbsp. per jar (depending on how strong you want it, examples> spices, dried flower petals)
FRESH: Fill jar about 1/2 full (you may lightly crush them in the jar with a spoon or pestal to release the natural oils if you like, examples> spice leaves, whole flowers)
ON THE STEM: Fill jar..Put stems and all into jar, no need to break them up or cram it in. Leave it loosely packed so you can swirl the jar during steeping. (examples> spices [can be fresh or dry on stems], flowers, bush flowers such as lilac and honeysuckle)
~STEP 2...
Fill Jar With Olive Oil- Fill your glass jar with the olive oil leaving enough room at the top, usually about an inch, to be able to swirl the jar while steeping. Now put the lid on your jar.
~STEP 3...
Set In Sun- Set your jar in the sun and leave it all day. The next morning, open the jar and strain your main ingredient out of your oil with cheesecloth, strainer, or some thin material. Pour the oil back into its jar and add fresh main ingredient to the oil (basically repeating the process), replacing the lid and setting it back out in the sun. Repeat this process until the oil is as strong as you would like it. *When it is your desired strength, strain the main ingredient out of the oil and pour it into whatever container you will use to store it*. During the process, you can swirl your jar during it's steeping in the sun to blend.
~Method 2 (making herbal oil on the stove) You will need:
- 2 glass jars
- strainer (example: coffee filter, cheesecloth, or thin material )
- vegtable oil (or mineral oil)
- herb of your choice
- mortar and pestal (other method of crushing is ok)
Take your chosen herb and crush it up using the mortar and pestal. Now take enough oil to fill your jar and place it in a pan to heat on low (DO NOT LET IT BOIL!). Take your chosen herb and pour it into the oil in the pan. Stir the oil and herb together. Take the strainer you have chosen and make it into a funnel so it fits over the first glass jar (put a rubber band over the strainer around the rim of the jar so it will stay in place). Let it all strain down. Depending on your chosen strainer, it may take loner to strain..you may leave overnight to strain if necessary. You can also repeat the process with the SAME oil you strained the herbs out of if you would like it to be stronger. Throw the filter away and take the finished product and store it in the other glass jar. Note: Be sure to labe your jar so you don't forget which oil is in it and it will be easier to find.
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