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Learning to infuse oil with dried herbs is making me feel like an urban homesteading rockstar! Folks have been infusing oils with medicinal and culinary flowers, leaves, and roots for thousands of years, and for good reason. Soaking these natural treasures in carrier oil draws out many beneficial properties from the plant parts into a versatile ingredient for salves, balms and lotions as well as for cooking!

The traditional method involves simply covering your dried herbs with oil and allowing them to sit in a warm window sill for several weeks. But if you’re short on time, or impatient like me, it’s easy and quick to use the gentle controlled warmth of your crock-pot to make herb-infused oils.

Which Herbs to Use

The possibilities are seemingly endless! This method is for dried herbs which helps prevent mold and bacteria growth. (Fresh plants contain lots of water which can make your oil go rancid and turn into a moldy science experiment.)

There are so many good choices for herbs, depending how you plan to use your infused oil. From marinades and dressings to skin healing salves… But here are a few of the most common ones to get your wheels turning.

Calendula

Chamomile

Comfrey

Lavender

Lemon balm

Mint

Rosemary

Thyme

How to Choose a Carrier Oil

Which oil to use for your infusion also depends on how you plan to use it. Olive oil is perhaps the most popular choice due to its versatility, long shelf life, and relative inexpensiveness. It’s useful in skin care and tastes good, too. Sunflower, grapeseed, and sweet almond oil are other popular options. If you only plan to use your herb-infused oil topically, jojoba oil is great too. Just use what you like!

I love using solid coconut oil in my diy beauty recipes, so it’s also my go-to for making infusions. Since it’s solid at room temperature, it works well in this low heat crock-pot method which keeps it liquid during the infusion process. To use, first gently melt it before adding it to your jar of herbs. (Take care not to let it get too hot, which could fry your herbs.)

What You’ll Need to Make Herb-Infused Oil

Dried herbs of your choice

Carrier oil of your choice

Clean, dry Mason jar with lid

Crock-pot

Small dishrag

Cheesecloth or coffee filters

Fine mesh strainer

How to Make Herb-Infused Oil in the Crockpot

Fill a jar about ½ to ¾ full with dried herbs, leaving room for them to expand as they soak.
Pour liquid carrier oil over herbs to cover completely. Leave at least an inch of headspace from the top of the jar. Secure the lid.
Line the bottom of a crock pot with a small dish rag and set the jar(s) on top. Add water to the crock to surround the jars, filling to about the neck of the jar. Leave the lid of the crock-pot OFF.
Turn the temperature to warm (or the lowest setting available) and bring the water temperature to about 100°F. Allow herbs to gently infuse overnight (or anywhere from 8-24 hours.)
Remove your jar(s) from the warm bath and dry with a dish towel to prevent water from dripping into your oil.
Place a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a coffee filter over a clean jar or bowl. Pour oil through the strainer and allow the oil to drip out, gently squeezing the cheesecloth/filter as necessary to extract the oil. Some sediment may still be in the oil. Strain again if desired.
Pour the herb-infused oil into a clean glass jar and allow to cool completely before sealing it with an airtight lid. Store in a cool dry place.

How Long Will My Herb-Infused Oil Last

Water is the enemy of oil. Take care to keep drips out of your product at every stage. Your oil should be good for many months to a year depending on the freshness of your oil. If it ever looks/smells/tastes off or produces mold, discard the oil.

If you plan on using your herb-infused oil for skincare ONLY, you can also add a little vitamin E oil to help prolong the shelf life. A few drops of vitamin E per ounce of infused oil will add some antioxidant properties and help prevent rancidity.

What to Do with Herb-Infused Oil

While I love essential oils, herb-infused oils are less concentrated and more gentle. For the most part they will be safe to use directly on the skin, but they are awesome in many diy beauty and skincare recipes. Try using chamomile-infused coconut oil in lotion bars. Or infused peppermint oil in chapstick!

Here are a few of my favorite skincare recipes to use as a jumping off point.

Lotion Bars

Lip Balm

Herbal Balm

Whipped Body Butter (non-greasy)

Simply swap your infused carrier oil for a similar oil in the recipe. If you like using essential oils, you can still use them, too. Or allow your fragrant herb-infused oil to shine on its own. It’s up to you!

I’d love to know what you make. Drop me a comment below or tag me on Instagram @thecrunchyginger so I can check it out!

Yield: varies