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| My infusion containing Calendula Flowers, Rosemary. Basil & Thyme. I will be using this for a hot oil Treatment 🙂 |
Most naturals including myself incoporate oils in some part of their regimen; hot oil treatments, oil rinsing, adding to products etc. However, trying to include all the “talked about” essentials oils such as rosemary, tea tree, sage, lemongrass etc, can become quite costly because these oils start at $8 – $10 per 0.5oz. While you only need a few drops at a time, depending on how often they are used, the cost is bound to add up.
However, there’s always the option of Doing It Yourself (DIY) with dried herbs you already have in your kitchen or fresh ones from the supermarket or your kitchen garden :). The process of infusing allows volatile oils in herbs and flowers to be transferred to carrier oils. The scent, benefits and flavors (in the case of cooking) are infused directly into the carrier oil.
For use in hair treatments, the most common carrier oils used are extra virgin olive oil, sunflower oil, grapeseed or sweet almond oil, but feel free to use whatever you have or like.
There are two methods that can be used and dried or fresh herbs/flowers or powders can be used. *When using fresh herbs, it’s important make sure that they are COMPLETELY DRY. Any amount of moisture introduced can cause the oil to become rancid and/or develop mold or bacteria growth.
Method One – Works Best with Fresh Herbs
- Wash your herbs and dry completely
- Add your oil and herbs to a pot.
- There should be enough oil to cover the herbs.
- Allow the mixture to warm/simmer for about 30 minutes. Do not BOIL.
- Stir occasionally. Allow the mixture to sit for about 2 hours. (Feel free to use immediately if you’re doing a hot oil treatment. 🙂
- Place the jar on a sunny windowsill or other sunny spot.
- Swirl or shake the jar every day or so for about a week.
- Strain herbs from oil and use oil as needed.
- Pack a glass jar with dried or fresh herbs/flowers/powder
- Cover packed flowers with oil
- Cover with a tight lid
- Store the jar in a dark cupboard and shake well every day for two weeks
- After two weeks, strain oil into a clean glass jar or bottle
- Only make oils in small quantities to prevent it from going bad. Infused oils can last quite a while if stored properly. Consider refrigeration if you’ve infused a large quantity of oil.
- Add a few drops of Vitamin E oil to act as an anti-microbial
- Choose herbs based on your hairs needs. Dry scalp, itchy scalp, stimulating hair growth etc. Common herbs/flowers used include rosemary, sage, thyme, basil,lemongrass, calendula, nettle, peppermint. Do your research to determine which ones you need or want to try, the possibilities are endless.
- Oils can also be used in your Pre-poo, Deep Conditioners, Hot oil treatments,Shea Butter mixes or applied directly to your scalp.
- Remember to label your jars (contents and date) to keep track of what worked and what didn’t and also as a reminder of how “old” the infusions is.
Until next time
Hey Raven! I Of course, you can use it however, you like. Adding it to your PP is a great idea! Aww…you’re too sweet, thanks so much. I’m glad you’re getting the samples, it’s a great way to try them out before you commit to the full sized products 🙂 Enjoy your day too hon 🙂
That’s so cool! I wonder if I could add that to my PP’ing treatment to stimulate growth for my relaxed. I recently discovered that a PP is my BEST FRIEND! 😀
BTW; My KeraCare samples are coming in 🙂 I’ve made references to you in two of my blog posts 😀
Have a blessed day, and thanks!
Thanks Yemi! Let me know if you try it yourself 🙂
Great article, thanks! No I’ve never made oil infusions…but reading this article is giving me ideas! lol