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
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