I’ve been infusing dried calendula flowers in a face oil for years now but recently started experimenting more with this ancient process as my aunt introduced me to the world of tallow balm. She infuses oils with lavender, chamomile, and rose petals before adding oil to her rich tallow balms.

Herb infused oils have been used in culinary and medicinal practices for many centuries. There are several ways to infuse oils but my preferred method is the “folk” method which relies on the sun to naturally draw out the herbal properties into the oil. This process takes about 6 weeks to complete but is a simple and beautiful way to infuse oils.

Photography by Paige Overturf

Preparing Herbs for Infusion

Choosing organic or regeneratively grown herbs is always best!

Herbs can be infused dried or fresh but I prefer to dry mine prior to infusing them as fresh herbs can sometimes harbor molds or turn rancid especially if the carrier oil doesn’t have a long shelf life.

Harvesting the herbs is best done on a sunny morning when the plants are fresh and not wilted from the heat of the mid-day sun. Examine the leaves, seeds, or blossoms for insects and dirt and place on a flat wire rack or basket as you pick.

Air Drying: Herbs can be dried by placing them flat on a clean surface in a dry warm area away from the direct sunlight and left to dry for 7-21 days (depending on the herb).

Using a food dehydrator: This is a quick and useful method for anyone wanting to speed up the drying process. It also is a more consistent method of drying as it allows you to control the temperature and circulate air. This process takes 1-4 hours.

Choosing The Carrier Oil

When choosing an oil, you’ll want to take a few things into consideration: What you’re using the oil for, what type of skin you have, and how much you want to spend. My go-to is Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil as I’ve always had wonderful results from using it on my face and body. Sweet almond oil and jojoba are also great options for skin health. Cold pressed or unrefined oils are also superior to refined oils so checking the labels for these specific details are important to reap all of the benefits from the oil.

The Infusing Process

You’ll need:

A jar with a lid that shuts tightly (mason jars are great)

Dried herb of choice (we’re using Calendula flowers)

Carrier oil (we’re using Extra Virgin Olive Oil)

1. Fill jar with dried calendula petals leaving 1-2 inches of space from the top of the jar.

2. Pour oil over the petals to submerge them completely.

3. Secure lid and set in the warm sun to infuse. You may find a sunny windowsill to keep the jar or take it outside daily for the infusion process.

This process takes about 6 weeks. Strain the oil using cheesecloth or a fine mesh to remove the herbs.

Favorite Herbs to Infuse:

Lavender~A natural antioxidant that is soothing to both skin and mind and is also antimicrobial.

Chamomile~Soothes sensitive and irritated skin, aids in wound healing, antioxidant, and moisturizer.

Rosehips/Rose Petals~Contains high levels of vitamin C as well as A and E which have been shown to combat sun damage. Helps to regenerate skin tissues and delay the signs of aging.

Calendula~Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory benefits that are helpful in healing and soothing the skin.

Geranium~Boosts skin’s health and natural glow with anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.