HERBAL INFUSED OILS & SALVES

Types of Base Oils:

• Infused Oil - Herbal infused oil that you use as a base.

• Apricot Oil (or seed/kernel) - Light, non-greasy oil that is good for all skin types. Really
good for prematurely aged, dry, in amed skin. Has astringent and tonify-ing properties.
Astringent and toning.

• Almond Oil - Light oil that is non-greasy. Protective, nourishing, and is high in vitamin E.
Good for all skin types, including babies.

• Argan oil - Great oil for wrinkles, signs of aging. Has protective, rejuvenating and
nourishing e ects on the skin. High in vitamin E. Traditionally used by Moroccan women
for its rejuvenative, protective, and nourishing e ects on the skin. Toning and slightly
astringent, so it can be useful for acne. Increases oxygenation to the skin cells. Good for
rashes, infections, and bug bites. Great for hair and scalp conditioning.

• Avocado Oil - A heavier oil, but is more readily absorbed by the skin (better than EVOO)
Useful for extremely dry, cracked skin, dehydrated skin, wrinkles, and premature aging
caused by sun damage. Has fortifying and regenerating properties. Contains High levels
of vitamin E. Also used for hair and scalp conditioning.

• Coconut Oil (solid) - Solid at room temperature. Can be very greasy, but very
moisturizing to skin and hair. Good for all types of in ammatory skin conditions,
including acne and eczema, as well as overly dehydrated or prematurely aged skin. Can
be used for hair and scalp conditioning.

• Grape seed Oil - Non-greasy oil that is astringent, toning, and can be helpful for acne
prone skin. It is naturally drawing, so it is especially good for making infused oils.

• Hemp Seed Oil - Heavier oil, but is mostly a non-clogging oil that is helpful for pore
reduction, clearing blackheads, and acne. Helps protect the skin from free radicals and is
toning and astringent. Its anti-in ammatory properties helps reduce redness in
in ammatory skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. Also used for hair and scalp
conditioning.

• Jojoba Oil - More of a liquid wax than an oil. Penetrates the skin easily due to its
resemblance to our skins sebum and helps aid in skin elasticity. Helpful to regulate
acne. Also useful anti-in ammatory conditions and sunburn.

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 • Olive Oil - Common and easy to nd and nourishing. Heavy and greasier than most, but
the fat-soluble vitamin content, helps in the repair and rejuvenation of damaged, dry skin.
Soothes in ammatory skin conditions. Also used for hair and scalp conditioning.

• Sun ower Oil - Light in texture with a non-greasy feel. Can be used on a variety of skin
types.

Types of Essential Oils used in Salves:

• Lavender - Anti-in ammatory, wound healing, pain relieving, anti-septic, anti-microbial
and helps with scar formation. Soothing and relaxing. Still used today in hospitals in
France.

• Mandarin - Sedative. Helps nervous system, pain reliving, promotes sleep, anti-bacterial,
anti-fungal.

• Rosemary - Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, great for respiratory considerations. Magically:

Gently binding in a loving manner (people/things).

• Camphor - Anti-septic, cooling, pain relieving, anti-infective. Great externally for

rheumatic complaints, sprains, and general pain.

• Eucalyptus Radiata -Anti-septic, wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-

in ammatory. Helpful for respiratory conditions.

• Rose Geranium - Anti-spasmodic, anti-in ammatory, pain relieving, wound healing, helps
with scar formation.

• Peppermint - Stimulating and cooling, anti-itch, anti-in ammatory. Germicide that helps
with bacteria, viruses, fungi, and worms. Use sparingly on kiddos, no infants.

Other fun additives for Salves:

• Honey - Help to add moisture and keep it locked in the skin.

• Charcoal - Drawing/black salves

• Vitamin E - Nourishing and slight preservative properties.

• Clay - French or bentonite are faves - Drawing and tightening properties

Some Common Herbs used in infused oils:

• Lavender -Great for minor skin irritations, bug bites, sore muscles, Rheumatic, neuralgic,
and headaches. It contains stress relieving properties by helping to relax the mind and
soothe anxiety and depression. A great addition for bug repelling products.

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 • Comfrey Leaf - Helpful for minor burns, rashes, and insect bites. Comfrey has been
cultivated as a healing herb since at least 400 BCE. The Greeks and Romans commonly
used this medicinal herb to stop heavy bleeding, treat bronchial problems and heal
wounds and broken bones. Comfrey also being referred to in herbal texts
as 'Knitbone'.Has been used for centuries to support bone, wound and lung healing.
Comfrey also contains bone strengthening vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C,
Calcium and Magnesium. It’s anti-in ammatory and pain reliving, and is mildly astringent
and has drawing qualities. It also shows e ectiveness in treating atopic dermatitis,
psoriasis and eczema. Comfrey boosts softness and shine when used as a hair rinse as
well as for moisturizing skin.

• Plantain -  Wound healing and encourages tissue renewal. Is very useful for treating
minor insect bites, cuts, scrapes, rashes and other skin irritations. Contains
antimicrobial, anti-in ammatory and antihistamine qualities that make it quite useful
externally. Commonly referred to as Nature’s bandaid.

• Rosemary - Is helpful in relieving minor pain and in ammation. Great for soothing
unwanted muscle tension, helps heal old scars, and rejuvenates the skin. In addition to
helping with minor pain management, Great for respiratory considerations especially
relating to congestion caused by a cold or the u. Its invigorating and stimulating
properties make it a great choice for hair oils to promote healthy scalps.

• Calendula - This powerhouse is great for sunburn, itchiness, rashes, in ammation,

wounds, abrasions, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections and acne. Helps wounds that
are slow to heal. Is anti-in ammatory, astringent, and healing. Because it soothes
in ammation and irritation, it is ideal for facial and body care. 

• Marshmallow root - Known throughout the ancient Egyptian, Arab, Greek, and Roman
cultures, this herb has been used continually for at least 2000 years. It’s anti-
in ammatory so it helps with skin irritations, boils, burns, sores, ulcers, wounds and all
kinds of skin in ammations while boosting cell immunity. Marshmallow Root is also used
to make natural shampoos and conditioners for dry or damaged hair. It's used often inn
aftershave and skincare products that treat sunburns and dry skin.

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 Instructions & ratios for making a Salve & How to use and store:
• To make a basic salve, the ration is 1 cup oil to 1 oz beeswax. Sometimes people call this
1:8 ratio. 1oz beeswax to 8oz oil. If you want to have non-beeswax options, you can use
candelilla wax or carnauba wax instead, but keep in mind that the ratios will need to
change because they are very hard and cannot be swapped 1:1. You will need to reduce
the amount of wax in the recipe by approximately ½-¾. (so .50:8 would be a good start…
1/2oz to 8oz)

• This can be a straight carrier oil, infused oils, or a combination of both.

• You can add EO’s to salve recipes if you want, but they are not required. You can drop
these individually into the container right before you pour or if you’re making a huge batch
of one thing.

• You measure out your oils and beeswax and place it in the double boiler.

• Once melted, pull it out of the boiler. This is where you can add extras like clay or
charcoal, and let sit until the outside is touchable and then pour (this would be when to
add EO’s to the batch if wanted)

• You can “remelt” if you need to pour additional salves and it cools too quickly. Sometimes
the higher the wax content the faster it will solidify. Ideally have everything set up ahead
of time so you can pour as needed.

• Wait until it’s completely cool before closing. Some people disagree. Can always pop into
the fridge to cool it faster.

• Store in a dark and cool place away from heat. Will last up to a year.

Di erent ways to make Infused Oils & How to use and store them:
• Dry vs Fresh herbs - Dry is best for a more shelf stable product, however if you want to
use fresh you will need to fresh wilt the herbs for at least 12 hours. To do this, chop up
your herb and let it sit for at least 12 hours. St. Johns Work and Mullein Flowers are best
done fresh wilted.

• Powdered vs not - This is herbalist preference. If the herbs are powdered, there is more
surface area for the oil to touch, however it can make it challenging to strain the herbs
out.

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• When measuring herbs, there tends to be 2 more widely followed methods. The folk
method and the standardized option.

• Folk Method: Fill your jar 1/3 of the way up with herb and then cover with oil.

• Standard Method: Ratio is 1cup of oil to 1-2 oz of herb.

• Moon Phases - I like to start on the New Moon and then strain on the following 2 Full
Moons after (so it’s about a month and a half)

• Air, heat, light, and moisture are the enemies of infused oils. Store them in a cool and dark
location, in amber or dark colored bottles if possible.

Simple infusion method:

• Measure herbs and place in a dry, sterilized container and cover with the appropriate
amount of room-temperature oil, based on whether you are using the folk or ratio
method.

• Mix thoroughly so all surfaces of the herb(s) are coated with oil and no air bubbles
remain.

• Seal Jar tightly.

• Shake jar or roll it back and forth in your hands to continue to thoroughly mix.

• Place the container in a dark, warm spot, such as a cupboard, out of direct sunlight,
and let the mixture sit for 4-6 weeks. Shake the mixture every couple of days. Some
people open and stir it, but I prefer to not let any air in. Witch Tip: Bury the Jar.

• When the infusion time is up, take a few layers of cheesecloth or ner cloth and place
it over the mouth of a dry, sterilized glass jar or pyrex. If you have a funnel, you can
place the fabric directly into the funnel or placing the fabric on a mesh strainer is
helpful.

• Pour oil over cloth and strain. With clean, dry hands, gather the cloth up and squeeze
strongly, squeezing as much oil from the herb(s) as possible. Compost the herb(s).

• If needed to further strain the mixture you can do it though an unbleached co ee lter.

• Pour the oil into dry containers (dark if possible) and seal tightly.

• Label, and store in a cool, dark location.

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 Solar infusion method:

• Measure herbs and place in a dry, sterilized container and cover with the appropriate
amount of room-temperature oil, based on whether you are using the folk or ratio
method.

• Mix thoroughly so all surfaces of the herb(s) are coated with oil and no air bubbles
remain.

• Seal Jar tightly.

• Shake jar or roll it back and forth in your hands to continue to thoroughly mix.

• Place the container in a sunny, warm spot, in direct sunlight if possible, and let the
mixture sit for 4-6 weeks. Shake the mixture every couple of days. Some people open
and stir it, but I prefer to not let any air in.

• When the infusion time is up, take a few layers of cheesecloth or ner cloth and place
it over the mouth of a dry, sterilized glass jar or pyrex. If you have a funnel, you can
place the fabric directly into the funnel or placing the fabric on a mesh strainer is
helpful.

• Pour oil over cloth and strain. With clean, dry hands, gather the cloth up and squeeze
strongly, squeezing as much oil from the herb(s) as possible. Compost the herb(s).

• If needed to further strain the mixture you can do it though an unbleached co ee

lter.

• Pour the oil into dry containers (dark if possible) and seal tightly.

• Label, and store in a cool, dark location.

Double Boiler method: 


This is going to be the quickest method to make infused oils (it takes just under an hour),
however it is at the expense of getting all of the properties out of the herbs.

• Place herbs and oil in Pyrex container or smaller pot, over top of a large pot with water
about  ¼ full

• Bring water to a boil.

• Once the water is boiling, turn the stove down to a simmer and let the herbs and oils
infuse in this double boiler method for 30-60 minutes.

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• Remember water is the enemy, so make sure nothing splashes in.

• Strain with cheese cloth and bottle/jar. Take care not to burn yourself!

• I typically wait for the oil to cool before bottling.

Crockpot method :

Another quick way to get a quick oil infusion. It is more complex and takes more time, this
will make a stronger infused oil. This method can take anywhere from 4-8 hours (or more,
depending) from start to nish and will depend on how well you can control the temperature
of your crockpot.

• Measure and combine your herbs as you would for a solar infusion. Make sure your jar is
sealed well.

• Fill your crockpot ¼ full of water and place the jar inside of it standing up. It can be
helpful to have a type of trivet or other jar lid at the bottom to place the jar on to prevent
breakage.

• Simmer on low for 4-8 hours. This can be longer if you wish. Be sure to keep a careful eye
on the amount of water in the pot. You will need to monitor the temperature and keep it
between 120-140F degrees. This will depend entirely on the crockpot as to which setting
will work best.

• If the water level runs low, carefully add more hot water to bring the water level back up
to ¼ full.

• When done, remove it carefully and let cool before straining the oil.

Oven infusion:

This method can be helpful if you want and infused oil more quickly than a solar infused oil,
but don’t want to babysit the infusion.

• Preheat your oven to 250 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Measure and combine your herbs as you would for a solar infusion

• Pour your herbs and oils into a sterilized, dry, ovenproof dish, and use a dry, sterilized
spoon to mix thoroughly so all surfaces of the herb(s) are coated and no air bubbles
remain.

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 • Once the oven is preheated, turn the heat o , place the herb- lled ovenproof dish in
the oven, uncovered, for 24 hours. Leaving the oven light on generates a small
amount of heat and can assist in keeping the oil warm as it infuses.

• After 24 hours, strain with cheese cloth and bottle/jar. Take care not to burn yourself!

• I typically wait for the oil to cool before bottling.

Sample EO combos for Class Salves:

Headache Salve: Equal Parts Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oil

Sleep Salve: Equal Parts Lavender and Mandarin Essential Oil

First Aid Salve: 20 drops each Lavender, Rose Geranium, Eucalyptus (or Rosemary)

Muscle Salve: 20 drops each Rosemary, Camphor, Eucalyptus

Your Custom Salve Blend:

Base Oils:

Essential Oils and how many drops: 60 dr per 2oz

tin

Your Infused Oil Blend:


Base Oil

Herbs and how much of each

My Favorite Herb Books:

• Medical Herbalism - David Hoffmann
• Working the Roots - Michele E. Lee
• Earthwise Herbal Repertory - Matthew Wood
• Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West - Michael Moore
• Herbal Vade Mecum - Gazmend Skenderi
• Evolutionary Herbalism - Sajah Popham

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