Infusing Oil
Infusing oil can be done with a warm method and a cold method. This tutorial will cover the stove top warm method.
- Cut the Calendula into small pieces.
- Put into a double boiler (double boiler bottom pan is filled with water first)
- Cover with oil over the top of the herbs but no more than just covering the petals. I used jojoba for this project but you can use any liquid oil.
- Heat gently on low to medium for 4 hours (minimum) up to 2 days (turning stove off when left unattended)
- Strain Calendula Oil through a cheesecloth or coffee filter. It will be a little cloudy. It’s practically impossible to strain every teensy little bit of herb out.
- Bottle and use within 6 months to 1 year (depending on the shelf life of your oil of choice)
This oil alone is skin soothing, moisturizing, healing and excellent for your skin. It’s a great way to add a healing twist to any oil. Tomorrow, I’ll help you put the finishing touch on your infused oil to make a soothing skin oil.
Tip from reader Sebastien’s Nook:Β A little note on an easier way to get the oil out of the calendula – go to the store and get one of those french coffee presses. It works wonders for extracting oil, while leaving the herb behind. I can get more oil out of the herb this way then with the hand squeezing method.
Hello Anne-Marie, I have a question, how much calendula or lavender or any other herb is required (in gramms) for 1L of oil? Thank you π
Good morning, Oksana!
It really depends on how much you want to infuse, but typically we suggest having enough herbs or botanicals to be barely covered with the oil of your choice.
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Hi
I am looking for a baby rash balm recipe and I saw that Belinda makes such a balm, I am wondering if she’d be kind to share her recipe please?
Hi LC!
Anne-Marie actually sometimes makes her own by infusing lavender buds and calendula into her liquid oils and then adding zinc oxide. I hope that gives you a place to start! π
-Becky with Bramble Berry
Gave this a go & it was very successful! Thanks very much for this tutorial. I infused my calendula petals into love oil & I’m using it in a baby rash balm. I’ve currently got it in the recipe at 18%. Do you have any idea what would be a good % to use calendula infused oil in a baby balm? Thanks π
That’s supposed to say olive oil not love oil!!!! Love oil does sound lovely but I’m not sure where you’d buy it? :p
You could do 100% Calendula infused Olive Oil on baby skin. I do an Olive Oil infused with Lavender and Calendula on my baby boy every night (no fragrance or essential oil). Of course, always double check with your baby doc to make sure that what works for mine works for yours! =)
I like this article. It’s easier for me to wear plastic disposable gloves while wringing out the infused oil with a cheese clothes. Catches everything. Once I’m finished, I remove the gloves and roll the cheesecloth inside the gloves. Done. Easy cleanup. No mess.
Great idea! And such a good tip. Thank you for sharing. I’ll do this next time for sure!
Thank you so much for the info. I just ordered some organic Arnica flowers to make an infusion. I decided to make my own after purchasing it and paying shipping costs etc. Pricey !
Arnica oil is wonderful for healing sore muscles , tendons and sprains .
I was scrolling through your website & found this lovely page. I was wondering if you thought one might have success attempting to infuse oil with say tea leaves or possibly a cinnamon stick using this same method? I am intersted in making a scented oil out of tea leaves to use in a bath bomb – buying oils online can get pricey – plus i cant smell them before purchase π
I have done tea infusions frequently and the scent of the tea does not come through in the soap. I have not tried a cinnamon stick; that might work because it’s stronger but fragrance oils or essential oils are the only reliable way to get fragrance in your products that I’ve found.
A crockpot would be just fine. Just make sure that the oil fully covers the herb.
Anne Marie, is it possible to use a small crock pot to warm the oil instead of using the stove? We have a gas stove and leaving it on for four hours' worth of oil warming would cost a small fortune.
That is a brilliant idea! I am going to modify the post to mention that. You are soooo smart! =)
a little note on an easier way to get the oil out of the calendula – go to the store and get one of those french coffee presses. it works wonders for extracting oil, while leaving the herb behind. i can get more oil out of the herb this way then with the hand squeezing method. HTH. π
I just realized (a year late but who's counting?) that I hadn't answered any of you yet! Sorry about that.
I agree – totally easy to make and such a nice, natural way to go for healthier skin. I use straight infused oil on my face almost every night and swear by a face oil rather than expensive creams.
Thanks for reminding us of how easy it to make these infused oils. They really add that extra oomph to lotions and creams taking them from good to great. I'm almost out but your post inspired me to infuse more oil today!
Great tip. I love calendula oil. It is very healing. This would be great to use in lotions and creams.
Emi- I was just as surprised when I got my Calendula as well. The bag is really big:) I can't wait to infuse with it.
Yay, I just got my order of Calendula, and I was surprised how huge the bag was lol. Now I know what I can do with it.
I'm very glad you are talking about infused oils…it's a nice, natural way to go for healthier skin…thanks…Joan
Great tutorial π I LOVE infused oils!!! I started making them for my babies (to use instead of baby oil) and now its an obsession ;0)