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Dennis Leahy
22nd May 2014, 22:03
This is my first try at herbal infusion, and thought I'd post the results.

Herbs placed in (hot) water would be a "tea" or "poultice"; herbs in alcohol would be a "tincture"; herbs in oil is an "infusion."

I started with organic extra virgin olive oil for these infusions, partly because the price of the oil is so reasonable (compared to some other "skin-friendly" oils) and because I have used some olive oil-based lip balms and skin lotions that work well for me.

I grew a single Calendula (http://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/herb-to-know-calendula.aspx) plant in my (home) organic garden, and it probably reached 18" wide and 18" high with many dozens of beautiful yellow-orange 2-1/2" to 3" flowers. I picked a few dozen, removed and air-dried the petals. When dry, I shoved them into 2 small amber bottles, and filled the bottles all the way to the top with the olive oil (leaving no air space.) I then waited about 9 months, and then dumped the contents through a stainless steel sieve, and discarded the Calendula petals. The result is the beautiful orange-colored oil on the left in the photo:

http://www.leahyguitars.com/Imagez/Two/InfusionsCalendulaMullein.jpg

In my remote garden, several volunteer Mullein (http://www.motherearthliving.com/plant-profile/herb-to-know-mullein-verbascum-thapsus.aspx) plants were allowed to claim the space where the seeds had landed, and I got one particular enormous plant nearly 8 feet tall (that looked like a skinny suguro cactus.) The community garden allowed one of the members to place a beehive in the area, and the Mullein was a big hit with the honey bees. The small yellow flowers nearly harvest themselves when ready. I harvested "a few handfuls", air-dried them, and went through the same procedure as mentioned above, for making an infusion.

I have some leg problems (slow vein valves) and my skin on my ankles is starting to break down. I have tried a number of remedies, but decided today was the day to declare the oil infusions as "done", and applied some.

Dennis

GuyFox
22nd May 2014, 22:42
What else have you tried?

Vitamin E?

Tesla_WTC_Solution
22nd May 2014, 23:11
Beautiful photo, and wonderful efforts Dennis.
I hope you get toward feeling better.

It sounds like we have a lot more in common (vasculitis?) than I realized!!
I have to be so careful not to pick at my ankles, or I get a bad infection.

One thing to try is a good foot bath, LOTS of salt, iron, etc.
Something to kill any germs that migrate from the toes (lol yuck!).
A thing to remember is ancient humans BATHED they did not SHOWER...

so soaking (if you have vasculitis or autoimmunity or infection) is really effective.
not to the point where you get way dried out, but -- some.

I think honey helps kill germs and prevent infection. put some on your ankles lol.

also Nanosilver (be careful not to buy fake) can help. they make a foot tub version that's not sterile for drinking,
but cheaper.



Gosh i feel sorry for you.
when i get a flareup it's often accompanied by acute (but temporary) arthritis of the upper back.

I have to take ibuprofen and swing from a door frame to make it stop seizing. lol

sandy
23rd May 2014, 01:13
Sending positive vibes that this oil works like a charm for you Dennis :)

Yetti
23rd May 2014, 01:30
Hi Tesla, I try use the MMS solution for my athletes foot problem an they disappear in one application. Really works is cheap , but I make my own at home , it's even cheaper and I use for the water of my goats and chickens too.

thunder24
23rd May 2014, 02:04
please update... obviously not now but well er um you know...

Dennis Leahy
23rd May 2014, 02:34
Oh, you sweet compassionate friends immediately went for the skin condition, when this was just supposed to be about a first try at making herb-infused oil. I'll be fine, thanks (gonna have a saphenous vein ablated soon.)

So, back on topic, anyone with experience with this herbal infusion process... and comments? Did I make any obvious mistakes? What are some other herbs where you'd recommend using this technique?

Dennis

thunder24
23rd May 2014, 02:57
not experienced here...

enchinacea (purple cone flower) , dandedlions, rose petals, lavender, oregano could b done that way i suppose but im thinking of infusing the oil for cooking....

Dennis Leahy
23rd May 2014, 03:51
not experienced here...

enchinacea (purple cone flower) , dandedlions, rose petals, lavender, oregano could b done that way i suppose but im thinking of infusing the oil for cooking....Yes, I have made olive oil infused with rosemary by sticking a whole branch of rosemary in a bottle of olive oil for a month. Since food is really a form of medicine (certainly at least preventative medicine) then infused oils for cooking should be considered as part of this concept.

I'm really a beginner at this, and I'm sure that the decision of whether to make tea, oil infuse, or make an (alcohol-based) tincture depends on the herb, the component(s) of the herb we're trying to extract, and what the final use of the medicinal substance is. For example, a calendula tincture might actually have more of the desired active components than a calendula infused oil, but I sure would not want a tincture on dry, scaly skin (it would further dry out the skin), and even worse with any open sores (ouch!)

I know infused oil can be made into a thicker salve by adding beeswax.

Dennis
p.s. bonus: calendula and mullein are perennials (I see my calendula plant is back up.) So, the very inexpensive medicinal infused oils will be even less expensive this year - no need to buy a calendula plant or seeds. The most expensive part might be the amber bottles.

Tesla_WTC_Solution
23rd May 2014, 08:48
If you live anywhere near me, should start a business selling these haha :)
I think there is a HUGE HUGE HUUUUGE potential market for this stuff.

Vegans, Wiccans, etc... everyone wants this sort of thing.

Once you feel confident you might consider selling some of your product!

:)