How To Make Herb Infused Oil
- The Herb Guy
- Sep 13
- 5 min read
How to Make Herb Infused Oil
Herbal-infused oils are the base for many natural remedies like salves, balms, lotions, and massage blends. They extract the healing compounds of herbs into a carrier oil, and the best part is, they're simple, powerful, and versatile.
First, it's a good idea to choose the right oil, or oils. There are oils that you definitely want to avoid using. Here's a list of oils that you shouldn't use:
Oils to Avoid for Herbal Infusions
Canola oil
Corn oil
Soybean oil
Generic "vegetable oil" blends
Any oil that is not cold-pressed
Refined, deodorized, or bleached oils
Rancid or expired oils
Cheap supermarket oils in clear plastic bottles
Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils
Blended oils with unspecified ingredients
Oils stored improperly (e.g., exposed to heat or light)
Why not these oils?
These oils are best avoided in herbal infusions because they are unstable, poorly absorbed, and offer little to no therapeutic benefit. Oils like canola, corn, soybean, and generic "vegetable oil" blends are typically highly refined, often genetically modified, and extracted using chemical solvents like hexane. This process strips them of nutrients and leaves behind residues that have no place in a healing product. Additionally, many of these oils are high in polyunsaturated fats, which oxidize quickly when exposed to light, heat, or air which leads to rapid rancidity. Once an oil becomes rancid, it not only smells bad but can irritate the skin and accelerate aging by creating free radicals. Oils that aren’t cold-pressed or have been hydrogenated are also problematic, as the extreme heat and processing destroy beneficial compounds and can even introduce harmful byproducts. In short, using low-quality or inappropriate oils defeats the purpose of creating a healing herbal preparation and can actually do more harm than good. Always start with a clean, stable, body-friendly oil to get the best results.
Best Oils for Herbal Infusions (and Why)
Olive Oil
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin E
Deeply moisturizing and softening for dry or damaged skin
Long shelf life and highly stable for infusions
Anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties
Avocado Oil
Loaded with skin-penetrating oleic acid
High in vitamins A, D, and E for skin repair and nourishment
Supports collagen production and soothes inflammation
Excellent for mature, dry, or sun-damaged skin
Sunflower Oil
Light and non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores)
High in linoleic acid, ideal for acne-prone or sensitive skin
Absorbs easily and leaves skin feeling smooth
Contains vitamin E to extend shelf life
Jojoba Oil (technically a wax ester)
Closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum
Non-greasy and highly stable (long shelf life)
Antibacterial and great for oily, acne-prone, or irritated skin
Helps balance oil production naturally
Coconut Oil (Fractionated)
Liquid at room temperature and highly stable
Antifungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory
Forms a light protective barrier on the skin
Great carrier for herbs used in salves and body butters
Emu Oil
Deep-penetrating, highly bioavailable fat
Reduces inflammation, pain, and swelling
Great for joint pain, muscle rubs, and skin regeneration
Naturally antibacterial and non-comedogenic
Castor Oil
Thick and deeply nourishing
Stimulates lymphatic flow and detoxification
Promotes hair growth and heals cracked or inflamed skin
Best blended with a lighter oil due to its viscosity
Sweet Almond Oil
Light, gentle, and hypoallergenic
Rich in fatty acids and vitamin E
Soothes eczema, psoriasis, and inflamed skin
Great all-purpose oil for sensitive skin types
Apricot Kernel Oil
Similar to sweet almond but lighter in texture
High in oleic and linoleic acids
Excellent for prematurely aged, dry, or irritated skin
Absorbs quickly with a smooth, silky feel
Argan Oil
High in essential fatty acids and vitamin E
Supports skin elasticity and reduces signs of aging
Antioxidant-rich and promotes a healthy skin barrier
Luxurious feel and ideal for facial serums or fine blends
Once you've chosen your oils:
Now that you've chosen your oil(s) you need to infuse your herbs into them, but before you do here's something to take into consideration: Don't use fresh herbs unless you are going to be using this immediately. If you use fresh herbs, they contain water which will definitely make you salve go rancid much more quickly. For best results use powdered herbs whenever possible.
There is a ratio that I use when I'm making a base oil. This oil can be used alone or made into another product, such as a salve, lotion, or balm. The ratio is always 1/2-part herb to 4 parts oil. You're not going to be able to do a direct ratio, so it's measured like this. If I use 4 oz of oil, I will then use 1/2 oz of powdered herb. This is going to take enough of the properties of the herbs to make the base oil effective.
Instructions:
In this section I'm only going to discuss the heat method of infusing oils. I'm not a big fan of cold infused oils as they tend to go rancid soon after the process is done simply because the process takes so long to do. A cold-infused oil can take up to 2 months to be done, which is 2 months off the shelf life.
Take your oil and place into a stainless steel, glass or ceramic small saucepan. Avoid using cast iron, aluminum or Teflon as the contamination from these types of materials can leech into your oil.
Add your herb or herb blend to the oil and gently blend the herbs into the oil.
Using very low heat (120 degrees Fahrenheit, use a thermometer if you have one or use the double-boiler method), heat your oil for about 2 hours, stirring often.
After two hours, take your oil off the heat and strain through an old t-shirt, cheesecloth, or some type of cotton fabric.
Squeeze or press the oil out of the herbs back into the pan. You want as many of the properties as possible.
Put the strained oil into a measuring cup and top off this oil with your original blend until you have 4 oz of finished oil. You're going to lose some oil in the herbs.
Store in a jar or bottle and keep out of the sunlight. Be sure to label and date.
TIPS & TRICKS
When you are heating your oil, if it starts to crackle or pop, it's too hot. Take it off the heat until it cools and then put it back on the heat. Don't restart your time, 2 hours is 2 hours. If it smells burnt, you probably ruined the batch and should start over.
This is considered a BASE oil and can be used as a standalone product, or as your basis for a salve, lotion, balm etc. Check out the other How-to's in this category to learn how to make them! Let me know if this tutorial was helpful for you!
My personal favorite blend is
2 Parts Avocado Oil
2 Parts Grapeseed Oil
1 Part Coconut Oil
1/4 part emu oil (or castor oil)
The emu and castor oils are both transdermal oils that easily absorb through all layers of skin and carry the benefits with them. I suggest you add either emu oil or castor oil to whatever blend you choose to make.
Let me know what oil blends you like in the comments.
Here's my blend that's premade to save you the trouble, just click the picture.
