DIY INFUSED HERBAL OILS
– By Kami McBride, Clinical Herbalist & Author
www.kamimcbride.com
F or the past 25 years, not a day has gone by when I haven’t used herbal
oils in some way. Whether made into a lip balm for chapped lips or added
to warm bath water for calming my nerves, herbal oils are an integral
part of my daily life. I put herbal oil on my hands in the morning and
rub herbal oils into my feet before bed. I use them to massage myself and
my family and enjoy applying them after bathing.
What is it good for?
Calendula comes from marigold
flowers, and they have anti-fungal, anti-
inflammatory, and antibacterial properties.
Infused into oil or as a tincture, it has
been used for centuries for:
• treating wounds
• treating acne
• relieve pain from dermatitis in people
receiving radiation treatments
• eczema redness, itching, dryness
• diaper rash
• soothing burns
• promote skin hydration and firmness
• skin reactions and pain due to poison ivy
or mosquito bites
• use in private areas to relieve itching or
sore spots
• for muscle spasms
• to reduce fevers
• for nosebleeds
• to fight varicose veins
• sooth hemorrhoids
• in the mouth against gum disease and sores
• for conjunctivitis (eye inflammation)
• in your salad dressing!
NOTE: Do not use calendula if you
have an allergy to the Daisy family
of flowers.
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We use calendula oil on my son’s muscles that ache in the night from
growing pains. Plantain oil is dabbed onto dried scabs and itchy bug
bites. Comfrey oil is transformed into a magical healing salve that we
use for almost every skin problem that arises. Lavender oil is the queen
of oils for bath time and chamomile oil is the substance of choice for a
luxurious foot rub before bedtime.
It is extremely satisfying to make your own skin care preparations. So
much of what is found in stores contains questionable ingredients. There
are thousands of different chemicals that are used in standard body care
items. With more than 85,000 man-made chemicals now circulating in
our environment, your skin care products are not the place to pick up
more toxins.
Infused herbal oils are safe, inexpensive, and can be made right in your
kitchen – even small kids can use them! Please be very clear that this
information has nothing to do with essential oils. I am not talking about
making or using essential oils. Essential oils are made with a distillation
process that requires more equipment resulting in a highly concentrated
oil. Essential oils have more risk and contra-indications. Infused herbal
oils are not nearly as concentrated and unlike most essential oils, can be
massaged directly into the skin. Please do not confuse these home-made
infused herbal oils with essential oils.
Here’s a simple recipe you can get started with: Calendula Infused Oil.
I see lots of calendula oil products that are made with fresh calendula
flowers. Fresh plant calendula oil is a very light yellow, without much
aroma. Calendula oil made with the dried plant method is a dark gold.
You can really tell the difference in the
quality of a salve or lip balm when the
calendula oil has been crafted with the
dried plant method.
I hope you enjoy making your oils as
much as I do. This method is not an
exact science and every herb behaves a
little differently. Begin by making small
batches and get a feel for what you are
doing. Happy herbal oil-making!•
Lots more online! www.silvergoldmagazine.ca
Makes a great gift too!