An infused oil is essentially the maceration of plants in a vegetable oil to extract their properties. It’s a simple and powerful way to connect with ancestral knowledge and create natural cosmetics at home.
One of the great advantages of preparing your own infused oil is traceability: you know exactly where your plants come from, you can choose organic herbs from your garden or pot, and ensure the purity of what you apply to your skin.
For example, a lavender flower infused oil is ideal for relaxing massages and moments of calm. In a country as biodiverse as Ecuador, this knowledge about the use of plants is a treasure we shouldn’t lose.
Welcome to the world of natural cosmetics!
Methods for Making an Infused Oil
There are two main methods: the traditional method and a quick method known as Freya. Before choosing, it’s important to follow these initial steps:
Initial Steps (for both methods)
1. Selection
Choose the plant (leaves or flowers) according to your intended use. Ideally, it should come from a chemical-free source: your garden or a potted plant.
2. Preparation
Carefully clean the plants, removing soil, insects, cobwebs, or damaged parts. Then let them dry completely.
This process can take between 3 and 4 weeks, depending on the weather.
Once dry, grind them as finely as possible. From here, you can choose your extraction method.
Traditional Method
Place the dried and crushed plant in a sterile, dry, lidded jar.
Cover with vegetable oil (olive oil is recommended due to its easy availability in Ecuador), in a ratio of 3 parts plant to 7 parts oil.
Store the jar in a warm place, out of direct sunlight, for 4 weeks. Shake it occasionally.
After this time, filter the mixture and store the infused oil in a dark bottle. You can add a vitamin E capsule to improve its preservation.
Freya Method (Fast)
Add 92% alcohol to the dried and crushed plant in a 1:1 ratio. You will notice that it barely moistens.
Seal the jar and let it sit in the shade for 24 hours, shaking it occasionally.
The next day, add oil (10 times the weight of the plant; for example, 10 g of plant to 100 g of oil). Let it rest again for 24 hours in a warm place, out of direct sunlight, and shake occasionally.
Then filter the mixture and leave the container uncovered for 2 to 3 days until the alcohol has completely evaporated.
Finally, store the infused oil in a dark jar in a cool place. Adding vitamin E is not necessary with this method.
Final Considerations
Each plant has unique properties. Some release their benefits better with the traditional method, while others respond better to the Freya method. The same is true for oils: each one offers distinct qualities.
We know that access to a laboratory can be limited, so the best advice is to learn through practice, by trial and error, gradually building your knowledge.
And above all, share your experiences, because knowledge grows when it is shared. 🌿