HOW TO MAKE INFUSED OILS

Happy Sunday!

Ever wondered how to make your own infusions or infused oils?  Today, I'm going to show you a couple of ways to do so.  For this example, I'll be discussing how to make lavender-infused oil.  Please keep in mind that this is an infusion and NOT an essential oil.  You'll need: 

• lavender buds, fresh or dried
• jar w/lid, plus another jar or container
• cheesecloth & rubber band, or a sieve
• your choice of oil such as olive oil or jojoba

Method #1:

Fill your jar almost completely full (to the shoulder) with the lavender buds. (Hint: If you are using fresh, you will need to press them between some papertowels to get out the excess oil; there's a reason for this, I promise.  Also if you're using fresh, crush them up abit. This will help them release their oils into your carrier oil.)  Top the buds with your oil, filling the jar almost completely full; this limits the amount of air that can get in the jar and will prevent spoilage, etc.  Put the lid on tightly, and store in a warm, dark place for at least a week for maximum scent.  After the appropriate waiting period, remove the lid from the jar.  Either place the cheesecloth taut over the top of the jar, securing with the rubber band, or pour the contents of the jar into the sieve.  Allow the oil to drain into another jar or container; if you use the sieve, press down on the botanicals remaining in the sieve to extract the maximum oil (why waste, right?).   The oil should keep for several months. 

Method #2:

Add your lavender buds and oils to a crockpot.  Here you want to use 1/2 cup of lavender to 1 cup of oil (or close; you can eyeball if you want).  Put it on the absolute lowest setting (you don't want it to get above 100 degrees here), and let it infuse for 2-3 hours.  Remove from heat and let the oil cool completely.  Repeat as above with a sieve, etc.  

You can then use your infusion as a bath oil, moisturizer, in your hair, etc.

You can create an infusion from many flowers and herbs, including:

• rose
• mint
• rosemary
• sage
• calendula

Keep in mind that if you are using fresh herbs, it helps to "bruise" them before adding to the infusion, as this will help them to release their natural oils.  Bruising is basically crushing, squeezing, etc the botanical abit (you want to bruise, not kill :).  

Also, it isn't always cheaper for a DIY infusion, depending on your location and what you have access to.  Rose infused oil, for example, can be very expensive, as you always want to be sure to use ORGANIC ONLY.  You don't want pesticides in your infusion. 

I have just launched Lavender Infused Oil in my Etsy shop now, for a limited time only. 

Natural Blessings - 

Candace

RedSunflower Designs

Healing, The Way Nature Intended!

Happy Sunday all!

So last week, I said I was going to talk about the benefits of reservatrol for the skin. But I'm actually going to push that to next week's blog.  This week, I want to give something back.  I've always found folk remedies to be fascinating.  How did people back in the day figure out that a certain herb would help to heal a wound, or help with cramps, or cure a toothache?  I wish that I had learned more of these from my grandparents and great-grandparents when they were still around.  But I've learned through research, and personal trial & error, some of the ways we can use herbs and oils for healing, and that's what I'm discussing today. 

Lavender oil has so many uses, therapeutically speaking.  It's known for helping to calm us during periods of stress and anxiety, and is also known to help with depression.  It is also very useful as a bug repellent, and great for burns.  Not only will it help take the sting out of the burn, but lavender oil is a natural antiseptic/antibiotic, so it can help to prevent infection at the burn site as well. Many older French women keep a bottle of lavender oil in their kitchens for this very reason.  Additionally, lavender is one of the few essential oils that is safe to use "neat" on the skin, or without diluting. 

If you're looking to detox from a night out on the town in smoky bars, detox from stress, or just clear out your system, grapefruit oil is the way to go.  Whether it's pink or white grapefruit oil, it's great to help with muscle fatigue, and mental exhaustion.  It's tonic qualities make it perfect as part of any detox plan. One word of caution: grapefruit essential oil is highly concentrated, and thus, should always be diluted in a carrier oil for topical use.  You can also use this in an oil burner; this is a great way to reap the benefits if you're needing more of a mental vs physical detox.  Dispersing the scent of this oil by burning it will leave you feeling refreshed and restored.

Ginger has long been used for its medicinal properties for everything from nausea to colds & rheumatism.  Many cultures have used this remedy for hundreds, if not thousands, of years, because its application is so diverse.  For example, in Senegal (West Africa), tribal women will make belts of ginger to arouse their partners sexual interest ;)!  Ginger oil is most prized in the West for helping nausea.  This is why, if you have a stomach flu, you are often advised to drink ginger ale, as it will calm your stomach.  If you're just nauseous, however, you can use it easily as an inhalation.  Uncap the bottle, put it directly under your nose, and inhale deeply.  Do that for 2-3 breaths, and you should start to feel the nausea subside.  DO NOT use ginger oil neat; ginger, along with other spice oils, can be very irritating to the skin.  Always mix with a carrier oil, and then test a small area on your skin.  Some people, especially those with sensitive skin, may still not be able to use the oil topically. 

A great source for all of the oils mentioned here, as well as a plethora of others, is Mountain Rose Herbs .  Their quality is fabulous and I would recommend them to anyone.

I hope you've enjoyed learning a few ways to heal yourself with nature.  Next week, I'll walk about the benefits of reservatrol in skin care, as promised.  

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend everyone!  

Natural Blessings, 

Candace 

RedSunflower Designs