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Making your own Oils, Herb Infusions, etc:
I suggest adding (2) Viamin E Gel Capsules to your oil jars once your oils are "done" but before storing away. Cut a
x in the top of the capsules and squeeze the contents into the jar. Vitamin E has 2 funcions, it will add a healing quality
and help your skin and it is a natural preservative and thus will help in the "shelf life" of you oils.
Oils and water DO NOT MIX WELL. Heating the oil for long periods of time can evaporat the water that the fresh herbs
have. You can use dried, however they do not transfer the essesnce as well as fresh. (if you don't grow them, you can always
buy some of the herbs at your local grocery store!)
Basic Rules
There are several ways to make your oils and here are a few that I have tried.
Mason Jars:
When using Mason jars, I have had the best luck with the same old (and mine are old) jars however my lids are NEW. They
are "Mason Lid and Screwtops" they are metal, however have the rubber ring are made into the "lid". If you use the rubber
rings and the old metal top, BEWARE your oven WILL BURN THESE!! not only will your house smell like some dragstrip, but so
will your oils.... YUCKIE!
Baby Jars:
I dont like "making" the oils in these however they are great for storage. You can label the top and make cute
labels for the sides. Make sure that when you are storing your oils that you are pouring in heated and pure oils and that
the jar tops and rings are free from "oil" as this can make air escape in thus making your oil rancid when you need to use
this.
Heat Infusions:
Crock Pot
Pour 3" of water in the crock pot (Yep, a crock pot) and on low heat use mason jars, oil and herbs of your choice.
Place mason jars gently in pot and place Mason jar's inner lid (not the screw top) on top of jar once oil and herbs
inside. Place crock pot cover on crock pot. "Cook" on low for 4-8 hours. You will hear the jars "pop". Shut off pan, remove
Pot Lid and let cool down, another 1-2 hrs. Strain oils of herbs and discard used herbs. Re-jar and stuff full of new
herbs.
Oven Version (I don't like this version)
You will need to turn your oven to 150 degrees and a turkey pan that has a lid (Yep, a turkey pan). Using mason
jars, mason top lid (not screw lid, yet), oil and herbs of your choice. place inner lid on top of jar once oil and herbs are
inside. Place a few inches of water in pan bottom and place oil jars with top lids in "bath". Place lid on pan and
CAREFULLY place in oven. "Cook" for at least hours. ( I really DO NOT like using this method - I have the luck
of knocking over all of the jars over trying to get this in and out of the oven, even when I am being VERY careful.)
Sun/Moon Version (unless you live in the South, this can't work in the winter, if you do... I am jealous!)
Set in sunlight for a full 2 weeks in a maon jar, lid closed, setting the jar out THE WEEK BEFORE THE
FULL MOON. Harvest Moon works BEST!!!
After using the method of your choice, straing the oils with a cheese cloth or similar technique. DO NOT use "bleached"
cheese cloth as this may take away any "healing" qualities of your oils, and isn't that why we are doing all this hard work??
When you are done straining, empty into clean, dry and labeled jars (baby jars work great) woth the date it was created.
Keep in a cool, dry and dark spot. Never place jars near, over and beside ovens, dishwashers, sinks, refrigerators or other
appliances as these spots are not free of heat, humidity or light. DO NOT PLACE THESE IN THE BATHROOM, because of the heat
and humidity found in a bathroom.
Rule of thumb is that the oils can last anywhere from 6-9 months in VERY IDEAL conditions, un-opened.
These methods are used only for topical use only, NOT FOR INGESTION.
If the oil is cloudy, discolored or smells, discard IMMEDIATLY. Your essential oils can be replaced cheaper than
that of store bought oils and so can be replaced at a chepaer cost, the only this you are out of is the time it took
to creat our oils.
Making your own Extracts
Extracts are about the hardest to make but they are the most fragrant and can have your house smelling good for days
afterwards (this also depends on what you consider "nice smelling" - my girlfriends hate when I make extracts like any of
the "Mint" family extracts and escpecially any Citrus extracts... I love them!)
Most of the extracts you are going to make are for cooking and herbal remedies.
This manner of "extract" is not going to be as strong as commercial in the stores brands but can still be
used the same way. You can also take pride that you made it your self and didnt spend a fortune, just some extra time and
water....
The distinction I use between extracts and tinctures, is that extracts are for ingestion, and tinctures are for everything
else. This definition is hard to follow because extracts are so hard to make.
The Items you will need:
3 to 4 oz of bulk herbs
3 quart cooking Pot with glass lid
1 quart heatproof cooking pot (souffle pans work best and usually fit in your pan nicely)
and a lot of distilled water (I usually use the 2 1/2 gallon jugs of distilled water or boil my water the day before
letting it cool on the stovetop overnight)
You are going to use a double boiler technique where you place the 1 quart pot inside the large one. Add water and all
of the herbs around the quart pot and then place the 3 quart lid, upside down with the handle pointing to the middle
of the empty quart pot.
Apply heat and let the water boil. The steam will condensate on the lid and the drops will glide down and drip off the
handle into the 1 quart pot. Keep a careful watch that the herbs do not settle on the bottom and burn and that the water in
the 3 quart pot is not boiled to the point of becoming dry.
Add more distilled water as needed a few cups at a time, being VERY CAREFUL not to get the water in the center pot. After
you used up your 2.5 gallons of water you should have a your 1 quart pan fairly full.
You can pour this into a clean (sterilized and dry) glass jar and close with a rubber lid.
This extract is not as strong as commercial brands but can still be used the same way.
For rose oil... Gather fresh rose petals and cover with a good oil (pure olive oil is fine). Bruise
the petals and leave them in the oil for at least twenty-four hours, then press the petals to remove all the oil. Strain the
oil. Repeat the pressing and straining procedures, adding fresh petals each time, for at least six or seven times. The end
product will be a wonderfully fragrant oil that works well in soaps.
To make rose water... Pour boiling water over rose petals. Cover the container until the liquid cools,
then strain, and if it is not going to be used within a few days, it should be frozen. Start with about a pint of water to
a cup of petals and adjust the amount of petals according to the depth of scent you want.
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