Oil infusion question...

[SimplyBlessed]

I'm lazy n don't feel like heating anything up...

Is it ok to just put whatever herbs I'm using in with the oil (in an applicator bottle) n use it that way?

Anybody else do this...I feel like heating oils takes away from the good properties the oil has.

Thanks ladies!


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[SimplyBlessed]

Also, what's ur ratio of oil to herbs?

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[bebezazueta]

Hello

I am currently doing cold oil infusions. Place 2 tbsp dried powder herbs( brahmi or amla) to 5 oz oil seal in a mason jar and let sit for 3 weeks. I shake the air tight jars several times a day. Then I'll use cheesecloth and a funnel to strain into my applicator bottles.

HTH!

 

[SimplyBlessed]

Thanks!

Dang 3 wks is a long time...

Anybody else do the same thing?

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[IDareT'sHair]

@Ltown @choctaw @Lita @Shay72 are some of the Oil Mixtresses in the Oil Challenge. They may be able to help you with your Infusion question.

 

[NappyNelle]

Nope. I'm too impatient for cold infusions. Three weeks is the average time for an herb to infuse into an oil without the aid of heat.

 

[Ltown]

Also, what's ur ratio of oil to herbs?

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SimplyBlessed, i use 2-3 tbsp of herbs or tea bags to 8-12oz of oils. There is no method or reason to my mixtures just estimate. Mountainroseherb and youtubers may give yoy some exact amounts. I'm impatient and infuse with heat and may wait a week to use my oils.

 

[SimplyBlessed]

Are they suppose to be stored n certain types of jars or can I use am applicator bottle?

Thanks, ladies

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[greenandchic]

I use a double boiler method to heat my oils so it doesn't get very hot.

 

[Jewell]

Yes, OP you can just put the herbs and powders into the oil. But in order for them to properly infuse without heat, it takes sometimes 30 days to 2 months. I made 3 bottles last Fall so they were all ready in staggered intervals. I don't like the idea of heating oils either unless they are solidified coconut oils needed to soften for use. Of course, you can use the oil right away if you want but a properly infused oil without heat takes WEEKS.

ETA: I used (3) 4 oz. plastic applicator bottles. I still have a full bottle I haven't used yet from last year. Store them away from light if the bottles are clear. Mine are opaque white so I put them in the closet or under the bathroom sink until ready to use...I dated mine also so I knew which were ready and which weren't (if you are doing a timed infusion and not heating, thats a good idea).

I'm not impatient, as I already had a bottle of mixed oil to use when I made the cold infusions...but in the future if I had to whip up something quickly, then yeah I'd use hot water submersion but not boiling the oil. The oven on low like 235 degrees for a couple hours is a good method also.

Beware, just like foods you can DEGRADE the nutritional and antioxidant value of herbs by heating for too long. Cooking too long destroys the vitamins in foods and veggies, so be careful heating the oils to add the herbs.

ETA: Ratio of herbs to oil: IDK I just add like a 1/2 teaspoon to 1 tsp of everything and put half oil in the bottle. Might add a lil more oil to the top of the 4 oz bottle to fill it up after adding herbs, powders, spices, vitamins. Thas it...I just eyeball it but no 1 ingredient is over 1 tsp in amount except the oil. I use about 6-10 diff types of oils, maybe 1/4 to 1/2 tsp each.

 

[NappyNelle]

Are they suppose to be stored n certain types of jars or can I use am applicator bottle?

Thanks, ladies

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Store it in a glass bottle/jar in a cool, dry, dark place. After several weeks, transfer to your applicator bottle. Keep your applicator bottle in a cool, dry, dark place afterwards.

 

[mzteaze]

I used my crockpot to infuse my oils. It was quick and very very effective.

 

[Stepiphanie]

I just infused some coconut oil this weekend wish I would have seen this before. I've always heard people say that was the best way, but I definitely I'm scared I might of over heated it. Next I will be doing this a few times during the fall and winter, so I will experiment with cold infusions and using the crock pot on warm instead of low, which I think is too hot in hindsight.

 

[AwesomelyNappy]

i cold infuse my oils and ayurvedic powders in my mason jar for several weeks (storing them under my bathroom sink and shaking them about once a week.)

When i get impatient, i use my little potpourri crock pot and i infuse it for several hours. I let it cool for about a day before i transfer it (because that little pot gets really hot, and the oil inside is even hotter), then i store it for about a week before i actually use it.

 

[Ltown]

You can get mason jars this time of the year very cheap at walmart, or any grocery stores. I never found them sold separately, so i had box of 12. You might know someone that use them for canning vegetables or fruits and can grab 1-2 if thats all you need.

 

[Damaged but not out]

Great timing OP!!!

Is there a preference between herbs and powders??