Herbal oil infusions are so simple to make and are incredibly versatile. With a few herbs and your favorite oil, you can create an infusion that can be used in the kitchen, bathroom cabinet, or first aid kit.

Many of the most commonly used herbs for infused oil-making are easy to grow. You don’t even need to have a huge garden. A few pots on your patio will work just fine.

How to Make a Herbal-Infused Oil

Source: Mountain Rose Herbs/YouTube

Before we get into growing the herbs that you need, you’ll need to know how to make an infused herbal oil. First of all, you will need some plant matter. You can use fresh or dried herbs and flowers, but you need to make sure that they are clean and dry.

Next, put your herbs or flowers into a clean, dry glass jar. You can fill it half to three-quarters of the way with the plants, then pour over your favorite oil. This might be jojoba, grape seed, olive oil, or whatever you prefer. You need to make sure that the oil completely covers the plants. Put a lid on your jar and lightly shake it to make sure everything is covered. Then leave it in a cool place to infuse. Check on your infusion daily and agitate it to help the process. Now and then, open the jar to check for any foul smell or other signs of spoilage.

After three to six weeks, your herbal oil infusion will be ready. Simply strain out the plant matter and store your oil as you would other kitchen oils. Make sure that both the oil and the herb are edible before using them for cooking purposes rather than for skin products. 

Now, let’s look at some of the best herbs you can grow at home for making herbal oil infusions.

1. Chamomile

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Chamomile is a wonderful plant for your garden, kitchen, and bathroom. You may choose to grow German or Roman chamomile. German chamomile is an annual, and Roman is a perennial. They both have very similar properties, so either is fine to use for oil making.

When used topically, chamomile is said to have soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities that help to ease rashes, redness, and itchy skin.

Start chamomile seeds indoors about six weeks before the last frost or direct seed into your garden beds after the last frost. The seeds need light to germinate, so simply tamp them onto the surface of damp soil. Once your plants are established, they will need a nice sunny spot with a little afternoon shade.

2. Calendula

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Calendula is such a versatile plant. It is beautiful in your garden and comes with many uses. Calendula oil can be used on the skin and hair. For the hair, it acts as a conditioner helping with dry scalp and damaged hair. This flower has natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that make it useful in treating minor wounds, rashes, and redness.

Calendula grows easily from seed. You can start your seeds indoors or direct seed after the last frost. It is a very unfussy plant and is a prolific bloomer. Keep harvesting those flower heads, and you will get more and more blooms all summer.

3. Rosemary

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Most of us are familiar with the culinary uses of rosemary, but rosemary-infused oil has many benefits for your skin and hair as well as your tummy. Rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory properties and is thought to help reduce dry scalp and itchiness. It may also help to stimulate hair growth.

Your rosemary plant will need well-draining soil and six-eight hours of sunlight a day. It does not do well in cold temperatures, so if you live in a climate with frosty winters, either bring your plant indoors or give it a very good mulch over the winter.

4. Lavender

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Lavender is simply a pleasure to have in any garden. Not only is it stunning, but it also carries with it several beneficial properties, making it an ideal plant for herbal oils.

Lavender oil is used to treat several skin ailments such as acne, inflammation, and redness, and is used to help tone skin and heal minor wounds. It can also be used as an insect repellent.

It is an unfussy plant that doesn’t need especially rich soil to thrive. However, it does need a lot of sun and won’t tolerate shade. It is a somewhat drought-tolerant plant, and too much water can encourage root rot.

5. Peppermint

Source: KimNelsIng/YouTube

Peppermint is a versatile herb that can be used throughout your home. Peppermint oil is often used for the skin and hair due to its cooling, anti-itch properties.

Herbal oil made with peppermint can be used on the hair and scalp to relieve itchiness related to dandruff. It can also cool red and irritated skin brought on by insect bites and heat.

Peppermint is famously easy to grow and notorious for spreading wildly wherever it is planted. Unless you are happy with this idea, you will need to plant peppermint in a container to stop it from sending runners out all over the place. Peppermint can be easily grown from clippings, so finding a friend that can give you a cutting would be ideal.

This is for informational purposes only. Check with a medical professional before using herbal remedies. 

Related Content:

• Uncovering the Mysteries of Medicinal Herbs
• How to Infuse Your Own Olive Oil With Herbs and Spices
• How to Grow Your Own Calendula to Make All-Natural Moisturizing Cream
• The Healing Benefits of Calendula
• How to Grow and Use Chamomile in Herbal Tea

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