My husband used to have an itching eczema on the neck. For several years, we tried quite a few over-the-counter ointments, but without success. Two years ago, we heard about the oil infusion recipes and decided to experiment. And YES, after so many years, we found the magic potion. The eczema was gone and we were hooked. We have found something that had no chemicals, was easy to prepare and very effective. Here are 5 oil infusion recipes with herbs, flowers, carrots and vanilla that we make for different purposes – wounds, rashes, irritations, sunburns, fungal infections….and home SPA.
Oil Infusion Recipes – Ingredients
It can’t be more simple – infused oils have only 2 ingredients: oil and herbs.
What Oils to Use?
Practically, you can use any oil, but it’s better to choose the one that is suitable for your skin. Each oil has its own health benefits. Below, you will see the oils I usually use in my oil infusion recipes. When shopping, remember to chose a cold-pressed oil. Only this method guarantees that all the beneficial properties and ingredients of the oil will be kept.
- Jojoba – This oil provides all day hydration. It does not become rancid. In structure, jojoba is the oil most close to human oil (sebum), but it is not comedogenic;
- Sunflower Oil has calming and emollient properties. It can help skin that suffers from acne, eczema, rashes and redness. It contains very high levels of vitamin E;
- Olive Oil is rich in nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins. It is a natural moisturizer. Olive oil helps in healing wounds and scars;
- Sweet Almond – It is an excellent moisturizer. It also soothes and softens the skin. Don’t use it, if you have nut allergies;
- Castor Oil cures acne. It also probably works better than any commercial anti-aging cream you have used. It makes the skin looking fresh and youthful. Castor oil applied on hair will keep it shiny, strong and soft;
- Sesame Oil contains vitamins E, B and A. It rejuvenates and nourishes the skin. It has natural sunscreen properties. Sesame oil helps curing psoriasis and eczema.
Flowers and Herbs Infused in Oil
Combine any of the above oils with one of the following herbs or flowers and you’ll get your homemade infused oil in about 4 – 6 weeks:
- Calendula – use it for skin irritations, cracks, slow-healing wounds, razor burns, psoriasis, eczema, sunburns, dry skin, itchiness, inflammation and as insect repellent; I used to massage my baby with this oil (calendula + olive oil) after bathing. He really enjoyed his home SPA;
- Chamomile – use it for sunburns, fungal infections, eczema, minor cuts as well as for calming and sleep aid;
- Daisies (Bellis Perennis) – it restores the skin firmness. I used it to massage my belly after giving birth;
- Carrot – use this vitamin A rich oil during and after sun bathing. The carrot oil helps the skin get tanned, rejuvenates and soothes it. Use it on face, decollete and hands to bring back the vitality, elasticity and light of the skin;
- Vanilla – use this infused oil for body massages. It will deliciously perfume your skin and live it soft, elastic and moisturized.
How to Make Infused Oils
Once you decide on the combination of oil and herbs, you will need a mason jar, a glass bottle for storing, a cheesecloth, a strainer and lots of patience.
If you choose to make an oil infusion from herbs or flowers, make sure they a dried. For the carrot oil, clean the carrots, peel them and cut them (it doesn’t matter how). For the vanilla infused oil, use 3 – 4 vanilla beans in 2 cups of oil. Cut the beans in half. Scrape the seeds. Add them to the oil. Then chop the empty beans and add them too.
Oil Infusion Recipes – Directions
1. Put the herbs, flowers, carrots or vanilla into a sterilized and dry mason jar and cover them with the oil of your choice.
2. Close the jar and shake it well so that the herbs are well saturated in oil.
3. Wrap the jar in paper and put it somewhere sunny and warm.
4. Shake the jar with your flowers and herbs infused in oil from time time for 3 – 4 weeks.
5. Take away the herbs/ flowers using the cheesecloth and put the infused oil into a glass bottle for storage through a strainer.
6. Add a few drops of vitamin E. It will prevent the oil from going rancid and will generally keep the oil infusion for about 2 years.
7. To finalize the oil infusion recipes, put labels (just have a look at these free labels!) on the bottles with the date and the ingredients used.
8. Keep them in a dry and dark place.
That’s it – very easy and simple oil infusion recipes. You can use the infusing oils either directly on your skin or in homemade facial and body creams. By the way, I gave a few bottles of infused oils as Christmas gifts. I got only positive reactions!
Did you already try to make any of these oil infusions? For what purposes?
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