Herbal Infusion Recipe
This is the basic recipe for making patchouli infused oil to be used in the creation of various bath and body products. For this recipe we are going to be using the double boiler method. There are various methods to choose from when making an herbal oil infusion. To view other processes of infusing herbs for bath and body products please click on this link. Please note: Depending on the herb/herbs that you are selecting to infuse, will determine whether you go with a hot method or a cold method route of infusion. Some herbs are very heat sensitive. Therefore, if heat is introduced for the infusion, some of the medicinal benefits may be lost.
With oil infusion, a key to remember is the longer that the herbs are allowed to set in the oil, the stronger the herbal infusion will be. Our herbal infusion sat undisturbed for 4 weeks (after the double boiler method) before we strained the herbs out and introduced the infusion to a recipe.
We selected sweet almond oil because it readily absorbs into the skin and has a non-greasy feel to it. There are however other oils you can choose from. For the selection of your solvent (liquid you are infusing the herbs into), you will want to pick an oil that has a low rancidity rate. Some other great solvents that can be used are: vegetable glycerin, apricot kernel oil, and olive oil. Each oil has various skin loving attributes to them, so it is very easy to cater the oil infusion you want to make to the specific need you are looking for.
Although there are other herbs you can select for oil infusion; for this recipe, we wanted to make an oil infusion that was great for dry skin and promoted a healthy and radiant glow. Besides being an astringent, patchouli is also known for its antimicrobial, anti inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Plus, since Valentine’s Day is coming, and patchouli is known for its possible APHRODISIAC properties, we found patchouli to be a good herb of choice.
For this infusion, you will need:
Sweet Almond Oil
a pint sized canning jar with lid
2 pots (one smaller with lid, and one larger)
Water
Stove top
Scale
Here are the steps for making patchouli infused oil (double boiler method):
Using a scale, weigh out 45 grams of patchouli c/s. Place the herb into the smaller pot. Next, weigh out 392 grams of Sweet Almond Oil. Pour this over the herbs in the smaller pot, set aside. Next, place some water into the larger pot. You want to have at least 3-4 inches of water. Next, place the large pot onto the stove top on the lowest setting of heat possible.
Then, place the lid on the smaller pot and then place the smaller pot into the larger one. Although it is essential to keep the small pot lidded the entire time it is heated, you will want to monitor the oil infusion and stir it occasionally. You will want to let the oil infusion simmer slowly for 30 minutes to an hour. Do not allow water to get into your infusion.
Once this time period has passed, remove the smaller pot from the larger one. Allow the oil infusion to reach room temperature and then place the oil infusion into a pint sized canning jar and lid.
Although technically, once the herbs have simmered, you may strain them out and use the oil infusion once it reaches room temperature. We however wanted a very strong patchouli oil infusion so we let the oil infusion set and steep for an additional 4 weeks after double boiling. While the herbs were steeping, we took advantage of the sun and placed the jar in the window sill during the daytime.
Once four weeks had passed, the patchouli herb was strained out of the oil using cheesecloth. Please note: When you are ready to strain out the herbs, do not forget to apply pressure to the drenched herbs to get out as much oil as you can. Finally, after tons of anticipation our oil infusion was ready to be put to use.
In the End
The patchouli oil infusion smelled amazing! Not only was this recipe super easy to make, but it was fun too. The addition of the oil infusion to our formulation allowed our end product that extra boost in the moisturizing category, and our skin was soft and supple after use too.
Happy Homemade!
