Complete Guide to Making Herb-Infused Oils

Oct 13, 2025

Infused oils are a cornerstone of natural wellness and culinary experimentation. These oils, created by steeping herbs in carrier oils, are not just a means of preserving plant-based goodness - they’re a way to transform your cooking, skincare, and wellness rituals. Whether you're a seasoned home herbalist or a curious beginner, learning how to make herb-infused oils opens up a world of possibilities.

This guide will walk you through the benefits, methods, and practical tips for creating high-quality herb-infused oils. By the end, you’ll be equipped to create these oils on your own, knowing how they can enrich both your meals and self-care routines.

What Are Herb-Infused Oils?

At its core, an herb-infused oil is a carrier oil (like olive or almond oil) that has absorbed the flavors, fragrances, and beneficial properties of dried or fresh herbs. These oils are used for a variety of purposes:

Culinary applications: Drizzling over salads, cooking, or enhancing dips and marinades.
Skin and hair care: As massage oils, moisturizers, or hair conditioning treatments.
Medicinal uses: In salves and ointments to help soothe wounds, reduce inflammation, or relieve pain.

The infusion process extracts the active compounds and essential oils from the herbs, allowing you to harness their benefits in a versatile liquid form.

Selecting the Right Carrier Oil

The choice of carrier oil is crucial for both the effectiveness and shelf life of your infusion. Here are some popular options and their benefits:

Coconut Oil: Known for its antibacterial and antioxidant properties, it’s great for skin hydration, wound healing, and reducing inflammation. Perfect for skincare products.
Sweet Almond Oil: A favorite for beauty applications, it smooths and nourishes skin, reduces dryness, and is rich in vitamins and antioxidants.
Olive Oil: A kitchen staple, olive oil moisturizes skin, improves elasticity, and offers anti-aging benefits. Ideal for culinary uses.
Sunflower Seed Oil: Helps improve skin hydration and supports the skin barrier. It’s also anti-inflammatory - great for sensitive skin.
Jojoba Oil: Common in commercial beauty products, it supports skin health with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Useful for acne-prone skin.
Hempseed Oil: Known for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. A good choice for massage oils.
Castor Oil: Excellent for treating skin conditions like acne, stretch marks, and burns, thanks to its germicidal properties.

Whenever possible, choose unrefined, cold-pressed oils for maximum purity and effectiveness. For added longevity, add a few drops of vitamin E oil, a natural antioxidant that reduces oxidation and extends shelf life.

Choosing the Herbs

The range of herbs you can use to create infused oils is vast, but starting with a few tried-and-true options is always best. Here’s a selection of herbs and their uses:

Calendula: Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. Great for skin complaints like rashes, eczema, and sunburns.
Lavender: Known for its soothing properties, lavender is excellent for bruises, insect bites, and improving skin circulation.
Comfrey: Often referred to as the "bone-knit plant", it promotes rapid skin-cell regeneration and is ideal for wounds and sprains.
Chamomile: Soothes irritated or itchy skin, making it a perfect choice for calming skincare products.
Cayenne Pepper: Provides natural pain relief for sore muscles and joints due to its warming and anti-inflammatory effects.
Arnica Flowers: Ideal for pain management, improving circulation, and treating sprains or bruises.
St. John’s Wort: Known for its antiviral and pain-relieving properties, it’s particularly effective for nerve pain, burns, and wounds.

While dried herbs are generally preferred to avoid water contamination, some herbs (e.g., St. John’s Wort) work better when fresh.

Methods for Making Herb-Infused Oils

There are two primary methods for creating infused oils: warm infusion and heat infusion. The choice between these depends on the type of herb being used and how quickly you need your finished product.

1. Warm Infusion Method (No Heat)

This method is the simplest and most traditional but requires patience.
What You Need:

Dried herbs
Carrier oil
Sterilized glass jar with an airtight lid
Wax paper

Steps:

Fill a clean, sterilized jar halfway with dried herbs. Break them into smaller pieces to maximize surface area.
Pour your carrier oil over the herbs, ensuring they’re completely submerged.
Cover the jar with wax paper and seal it.
Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking it every few days to redistribute the herbs.
After 4–6 weeks, strain the oil through cheesecloth into a clean jar, squeezing out the excess oil. Discard the herbs.
Add vitamin E oil for preservation, label the jar, and store it in a dark, cool spot.

This method is ideal for delicate herbs like calendula or chamomile.

2. Heat Infusion Methods

Heat accelerates the infusion process, making it ideal when time is short or when using tough herbs like roots or mushrooms.

a. Double Boiler Method

Add water to the bottom pan and bring to a boil, then reduce to a low heat.
Place your herbs and carrier oil in the top pan and heat slowly for 30–60 minutes, keeping the temperature between 120–140°F.
Strain and store as described in the warm method.

b. Solar Infusion Method

Place your jar of herbs and oil inside a paper bag to protect it from UV rays.
Leave it in a sunny spot for 1–2 weeks, shaking regularly.
Strain and store.

c. Crockpot or Instant Pot Method

Place your sealed jar of oil in a crockpot filled with water.
Keep the temperature low (no higher than 140°F) and let it infuse for 10–12 hours or overnight.
Strain and store.

d. Oven Method

Preheat your oven to 120–140°F.
Combine herbs and oil in an oven-safe dish and heat for 4–8 hours.
Strain and transfer to a storage jar.

Tips for Success

Use Sterilized Tools: This prevents bacterial contamination, which can spoil your oil.
Avoid Fresh Herbs in Culinary Infusions: Fresh herbs contain water, which can lead to bacterial or mold growth.
Store Properly: Use dark glass jars and keep your oils in a cool, dark place to extend shelf life.
Label Clearly: Always note the type of oil, the herb used, and the date of preparation.

Key Takeaways

Choose high-quality carrier oils like olive, almond, or coconut oil for optimal results.
Dried herbs are the go-to choice for most infusions, as they reduce the risk of contamination.
Experiment with single herbs or custom blends, tailoring oils for culinary, skincare, or medicinal uses.
Use patience or heat: Infuse your oils using either the slow, time-intensive warm method or quicker heat-based methods.
Add vitamin E oil to extend the shelf life of your finished product.
Store oils properly in dark glass jars in a cool space to preserve their potency.

Creating your own herb-infused oils is not just a practical skill - it’s a deeply rewarding experience. Beyond the therapeutic benefits of herbs, the process allows you to connect with natural ingredients and create personalized solutions for your kitchen and wellness routines. With this guide, you’re equipped to experiment, learn, and indulge in the joy of herbal crafting.

Source: "Everything you need to know to make HERB INFUSED OILS" - Just Dig It Farms, YouTube, Sep 9, 2025 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEhxa7uBUDk

Use: Embedded for reference. Brief quotes used for commentary/review.