Infused Herbal Oils: A Practical & Medicinal Guide

Infused herbal oils are one of the most versatile and fun to make herbal preparations. They sit at the foundation of both herbal medicine and natural skin care, forming the base of salves, balms, liniments, and massage oils. When someone is looking for an easy and enjoyable way to incorporate herbal medicine into their routine —particularly for pain, inflammation, muscle tension, or skin support—infused oils are often the ideal starting point.

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In my previous post on salicylate-rich plants, I explored botanicals that naturally support pain and inflammation. Many of these plants offer their greatest benefit when used topically, and infused oils are one of the most effective ways to extract and apply their medicine. Poplar bud is a classic example of this.

This post explores why infused herbal oils are used, how to decide between fresh and dried plant material, two reliable methods for making infused oils, and how to strain, store, and care for your finished oil. I’ll also share plants you may already be growing, along with easy-to-harvest wild plants that make exceptional infused oils.

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Why Use Infused Oils?

1. Fat‑soluble medicine

One of the primary reasons to use infused oils is that many medicinal plant constituents are fat soluble. These compounds do not extract well into water, which means teas and infusions may offer limited benefit for certain plants. Oils, on the other hand, excel at drawing out resins, oleoresins, aromatic compounds, and specific anti-inflammatory constituents.

2. More options alongside medications

For those taking multiple medications, internal herbal use may feel limited or inappropriate. Topical applications—oils, salves, and liniments—can often be used safely alongside pharmaceuticals, offering more freedom of choice in care.

3. Targeted, tissue‑level support

Some conditions are best addressed directly through the skin. The lymphatic system lies close to the surface, making oils ideal for gentle lymph movement. Muscle tension, joint pain, nerve discomfort, and localized inflammation also respond beautifully to targeted topical treatment.

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Fresh or Dried? Choosing Your Plant Material

Before making an infused oil, decide whether to work with fresh or dried plant material. This choice depends largely on which constituents you’re trying to extract. Most plants infuse beautifully when dried, and dried herbs offer greater stability and a longer shelf life. However, there are notable exceptions where fresh plant material is preferred:

• St. John’s Wort – fresh flowering tops create the iconic red oil

• Poplar Bud – fresh buds preserve aromatic resins and salicylates

Once you’ve chosen your plant:

• Fresh herbs: Harvest and wilt the plant (spread out to dry for a day or overnight, longer if very moist)

• Dried herbs: Dry fully on racks or in a dehydrator until crisp and moisture‑free

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Two Ways to Make Infused Oils

Method 1: The Folk Method (Solar Infusion)

This traditional, low‑tech approach is ideal for dried herbs and long, gentle extractions.

How to:

1. Place your harvested herb into a glass jar, filling it loosely to the rim.

2. If the dry herb is woody or in large pieces, a light grind can improve extraction.

3. Pack the herb well, but leave enough room for it to move when shaken.

4. Cover completely with an oil that will remain liquid at room temperature (olive, sunflower, jojoba, etc.).

5. Seal with a lid, place in a sunny window, and cover with a paper bag to protect from direct UV.

6. Infuse for 1–3 months, shaking daily.

This method relies on gentle thermal energy from the sun and kinetic energy from daily agitation rather than direct heat. It is slow, simple, and allows you to assess your mixture every day to determine the precise time to strain your herb. For this reason I highly recommend beginners start with this method as you can note those minute changes and adjust your recipe as needed.

Method 2: Heat‑Infused Method (Crock Pot or Instant Pot)

This method is faster and allows for greater control of the thermal energy—especially helpful when working with delicate essential oils, fresh, or resinous plants like poplar bud or if you want to ensure each batch will be roughly comparable medicinally.

How to:

1. Measure your dried or wilted herb.

2. A common ratio is 1:4 (herb/oil).

   • Example: 30 g herb : 120 mL oil

   • For very strong or essential‑oil‑rich herbs, you may choose a lower ratio (1:10) or dilute later.

3. Lightly grind the herb if using dry to increase surface area.

4. Combine herb and oil in a crock pot or Instant Pot.

   • Instant Pot tip: use the yogurt / lowest heat setting

5. Infuse on low heat, stirring frequently, for 12–24 hours, or until the herb looks less vibrant and the oil looks changed in appearance.

For fresh herbs:

• Infuse with the lid off to allow moisture to evaporate

• Continue low‑heat infusion for 3–4 days, until you’re confident excess water has evaporated off

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Straining & Bottling

• Fresh plant infusions: Do not press the plant material. Let the oil drip naturally and discard the last portion of oil, where residual water may collect.

• Dried plant infusions: You may press firmly to extract as much oil as possible.

Compost the plant matter and bottle your oil in clean, dry jars.

Label your bottles with:

• Plant(s) used

• Fresh or dried

• Oil type

• Ratio or method

• Harvest location or source

• Date

Store oils out of direct light and away from moisture. Most infused oils last 6 months or longer, depending on the base oil and plant material. Always trust your senses—if it smells off or rancid, discard it immediately. Vitamin E drops can help extend shelf life.

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Homegrown Herbs for Infused Oils

Many garden favourites make exceptional medicinal oils:

• Rose

• Lavender

• Lemongrass

• Rosemary

• Peppermint

• Calendula

• Chamomile

• Lemon balm

• Sage

• Thyme

These herbs are gentle, aromatic, and well‑suited to daily body oils, massage blends, and skin care.

Easy‑to‑Harvest & Wildcrafted Oil Plants

For those who forage or tend wild edges, these plants offer powerful topical medicine:

• Poplar bud

• St. John’s Wort

• Plantain

• Pineapple weed

• Tansy

• Conifer pitch

• Fireweed

• Everlastings

  
  

Harvest respectfully, with attention to abundance, habitat, and timing. These plants remind us that some of the most potent medicine grows quietly around us. Whether made slowly in the sun or gently warmed on the stove, each jar carries the story of its season and place.