Enfleurage
       One of the simplest ways to make an herbal oil is called "enfleurage". This method can be used for any type of oil; medicinal, bath and body or culinary. This method uses only fresh plant material, when using dried or a mixture of dried and fresh used the "infusion" methods described below.
        Fill a jar with your choice of fresh plant material, pour in enough oil to cover the herbs completely. Use a chopstick or skewer to free any air bubbles, adding more oil if this causes the herbs to settle and the fluid level to go down. Herbs that are partially exposed may mold, ruining your oil. Tightly cork or cap the jar, label it with name of the contents and the starting date, and keep it in a warm, dark place for three days. Oil likes to seep and will escaped a well-capped jar, place the jar on a plate to protect the surface it rests on. Shake the bottle each day to ensure that the oil touches all the herbs, if some herbs come above the surface of the oil, poke them back down with a chopstick. On the third day strain the oil, refill the jar with new herbs and pour the same oil back into the jar. Follow the directions as above. Repeat this process several times until the oil is heavily saturated with the fragrance. When the oil has reached this stage, strain it a final time through a paper filter or a piece of fine muslin. Store it in a tightly capped opaque bottle. You can add a few drops of Tincture of Benzoin (ten drop per ounce of oil) to act as a preservative, or the contents of one or two 1000i.u. capsules of Vit E which has natural antioxidant properties.
       This is a good technique to use if you have access to fresh herbs from your garden or wild herbs you can gather regularly. Store-bought flowers are unfortunately treated with chemical preservatives to retard wilting. You can use fresh store bought herbs, simply make sure that they are in peak condition, have a strong scent and vibrant color.

Possible oils made with the enfleurage techniques.

For the kitchen, a fresh basil oil that can be used in salads, cooking and for breads such as focaccia.

For scent and massage; fresh honeysuckle, violets, or roses or a combination of fresh flowers.

Therapeutic oil made from fresh mint, used to massage the neck, shoulders and feet after a long day spent at a desk or doing physical labor.

Therapeutic oil of garlic. Though smelly it is very useful in ear infections. A few drops placed in the ear with cotton to keep it in will often eliminate the need for anti-biotics. It can also be taken internally when dealing with intestinal track infections or bacteria.

Triple olleate of mullein flowers: Steep the fresh mullein flowers in olive oil for 21 days exposed to bright sunlight as often as possible. Strain through a fine filter (paper or several layers of cheesecloth). Add fresh flowers to the oil, steep for 21 days in bright sunlight. Strain and repeat a third time. Used for ear infections, apply a few warmed drops to each ear. Externally rub on the chest for bronchial inflammations, chest congestion; use for bruises, sprains, swollen joints and arthritis.

Chickweed oil: macerated finely chopped fresh chickweed in olive oil. Used for eczema and other itchy skin condition.

Infused Oils
        Place the plant material in a clean dry jar. Slowly pour the oil into the jar, using a chopstick to release any air bubbles. Add enough oil to cover the herbs and fill the jar to the rim. Cap the jar tightly. Label it with the plant contents, the type of oil and the date. Keep the jar in a dark, dry place at normal room temperature. Decant and strain the infused oil in two to six weeks. Oil held in the plant material can be extracted by placing a small amount of the plant material in a piece of cloth, twist close and squeeze to wring out the oil. Or place all the herbs in a large piece of fine muslin, tie the end together so that the herbs won't come out under pressure. Place the bundle of herbs in an enamel or ceramic colander over a non-metallic bowl, place a plate over the bundle and set a brick or similar sized stone on the plate. Press the herbs till no more oil seeps, the same technique can be used when making medicinal tinctures.
        Allow the decanted oil to sit for several days so that any water from the plant material settles to the bottom of the jar, carefully siphon or pour off the oil, leaving the water behind. Pour into opaque bottles, add Vit E or Tincture of Benzion if you wish, label and store in a cool, dark, dry place.

Solar infused oils
       Place the herbs in a clean, dry jar, fill the jar to the rim with oil, poke out any air bubbles, top off with more oil if necessary and cap the jar tightly. Label the jar nothing the ingredients, type of oil and the date. Place the jar in a warm sunny spot. In Europe and the Mediterranean the jars are put in sand boxes for extra heat and more direct sunlight. Let the jars sit in the sunlight for approximately two weeks, bring the jars in at night and on rainy days. Shake the jars daily to evenly distribute the oil. Decant and strain the oil. To make a stronger oil add fresh herbs to the jar and pour the oil back and allow the jar to sit in the sun for another week or two. Decant and strain a final time, add Tincture of Benzoin or Vit E if you wish, bottle in opaque glass, label carefully and store in a cool, dark and dry place.

Possible oils made with the infused technique

For burns and insect bites:

Lavender, Calendula, Basil, Sage or St-John's Wort. This can be used as an oil or made into a salve. See special projects for instructions on making ointments and salves.

Calming oil:

1 part each Lavender flower buds, Rose petals, Chamomile flowers. ½ part Kava Kava.

Stimulant oil:

2 parts Peppermint, 1 part Bay I part Sandalwood powder, 1 part Rosemary Leaf, add 1-2 drop of Sandalwood oil after straining.

Headache massage oil:

4 parts Lavender, 2 parts each Marjoram and Feverfew. Infuse in Almond oil. To used massage into the neck, shoulders and forehead. A few drops of essential oil of Lavender can be added after straining.

Herbal liniment:

¼ cup Peppermint leaves chopped, ¼ cup Rosemary leaves chopped, 2 tablespoons Cayenne pods, chopped, 2 tablespoons fresh Ginger root, grated, 8 Bay leaves, broken, 2 cups olive oil. Proceed as outlined above. Use this oil to ease the pain of sore or inflamed muscles and joints.

Oven extraction
       Place herbs in a non-metallic saucepan. Add enough oil to completely cover the herbs by at least 2 inches. Place a tight fitting lid on the pan. Turn the oven temperature to its lowest setting (generally 150-200 degrees) and allow to steep for 2 - 3 hours. Check frequently. Be sure the oil doesn't sizzle or being to boil, you don't want to deep fry the herbs!! Decant and strain as above.

Double boiler method
       Place the herbs in a double boiler. Add enough oil to cover herbs by 2 inches. Cook over boiling water (a low simmer) at least 40 minutes. The water should be simmering not the herbs and oil! Strain and bottle for use as above.

Crock pot method
       Place the prepared herbs in the crock pot, add enough oil to cover by 2 inches. Cover with the lid. Set the gauge at the lowest setting; 80 - 125 degrees. 'Cook' for 2 - 6 hours or longer to completely extract the plant properties.

       How can you tell the oil is 'done' when using these methods? The oil should take on the properties of the plant(s); it should be a richer color; it should smell 'herbie'; it should taste like the herbs. The plant will look 'spent'. You don't want to cook the herbs to death, just until you have a rich full oil.

Troubleshooting infused oils
       Mold grows readily in infused oils. The presence of any moisture on the herbs or in the jar encourages mold growth.

If the jar is not filled to the top mold may grow in the air space.

If the jar was not totally dry when it was filled mold may grow along the inside of the jar. Jars dried in the oven for five minutes prior to filling prevent this problem.

If the jar is left near a heat source, the warmth may cause condensation proving the moisture necessary for colonies of mold to form.

If the plant material was wet when combined with the oil, mold may grow throughout the oil.

Some herbs release gas as they infuse. You may notice bubbles moving through the oil; this is not a problem and does not indicate spoilage.