BODY SOUL

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Healing or moisturizing salves and creams are a wonderful addition to your basket of tools, and they make wonderful gifts. Start by infusing an oil with a specific herb or an herbal blend (see instructions below). You can use this oil directly, or you can make it into a salve or cream. By stabilizing the oil with beeswax while making the salve, you increase the shelf life of the oil.

Salves are a gentle way to introduce someone to herbs. Some people are hesitant to eat or drink something new, but are fine with applying a small amount of salve to their skin.

Making an Infusion

The first step in preparing most herbal skin preparations is making an infused oil. This carrier oil is imbued with the properties of the herb or herbal blend you are working with. You can choose from a variety of methods to infuse oils depending on your preferences. If you wish to use fresh herbs you will have a few extra steps.

The oil you begin with is called a fixed oil. Generally I prefer to use olive oil as my fixed oil for most of my preparations. Olive oil has its own special health-giving properties and comes from a tree that has been prized and honored for centuries. If you choose to use olive oil, make sure you use one labeled “extra virgin” to assure the highest quality. A label that indicates “cold pressed” is a bonus. For cosmetic purposes some people find olive oil a bit heavy, and it does have an aroma of its own. You might also consider using lighter oils such as apricot, almond or grapeseed oil, or a combination of oils.

Solar infusion method

When I’m not in a hurry I like to use the solar infusion method. This method takes more time but reduces chances for mistakes, plus your infused oil will have the extra blessing of the sun. Place your dried herbs in a clean, dry jar. Moisture in the jar can introduce bacteria to the infusion and cause the oil to go rancid.

Fill the jar loosely, about two-thirds full. Pour your fixed oil over the herbs, making sure none of the herbs break the surface of the oil. Stir lightly with a wooden spoon to release any possible air pockets. Put the jar in a brown paper bag and place the package in a spot where it will get lots of sun during most of the day.

Heat can make oil go rancid, but as long as the herbs are in the oil, this is not a problem. Leave the herbs in the jar for at least two weeks. The oil may expand and spill out of the top of the jar, but don’t worry about it. Every day, shake the jar. When the oil has taken on the properties of the herbs and the plant material looks spent (after about two to three weeks), it’s time to strain the herbs. Make sure that you press as much of the oil out of the remaining herbs as you can. Store the infused oil in a glass bottle in a cool, dark place.