The Remedy Practice
Create an Herbal Oil
Herbal oils are a simple form of topical remedy that can either be used on their own or blended with wax and/or water to create thicker salves or creams. There are a lot of ways to make herbal oils including ones that get quite technical (in order to reduce spoilage and increase extraction rates). We'll be focusing on a very simple folk method that produces a lovely result with minimum effort, but if you find yourself really enjoying making herbal oils, I encourage you to explore more complex herbal oil making techniques - like the alcohol intermediary method - they're quite fun!
My favorite way of making herbal oils only requires a clean jar with a good sealing lid, dried herbs, and my oil of choice. To start, you want to make sure that the jar you are using is sterile - you can look up sterilization techniques based on what kind of material your container is made of. I like using glass canning jars because they are easy to clean and can be used again and again with proper care and by occasionally replacing the lids.
Generally speaking, dried herbs are a better option than fresh herbs, but there are plenty of exceptions. Herbs with higher water content are better dried (or at least wilted for a few days) before mixing in oil, whereas low water content plants are frequently used fresh (like Salvia rosmarinus). Typically, herbal oils made with fresh herbs will have a shorter shelf life as compared to oils made with dried herbs, but all herbal oils benefit from being stored away from light and in cool spaces. I primarily make herbal oils with dried herbs and have great results.
Next, I add my herbs to the jar, leaving an inch or two of space at the top. Then I'll add my oil of choice - I typically work with Jojoba (which is actually a liquid wax and has a very long shelf life) or a local Olive oil. What oil you choose depends on your preference for feel (a lighter versus heavier oil), scent, and shelf life. Mix the oil and herbs together and then let sit overnight, checking in the morning to see if all the herbs have stayed covered or if you need to add more oil. It's important that herbs stay submerged in oil to avoid spoilage.
Shake your herbal oil daily (and, as I was taught, sing to them), making sure any trapped air rises to the surface and that all plant material stays submerged under the oil. Sometimes you'll need to add more oil after a few days to make sure all plant material stays submerged.
There are two primary approaches you'll find for storing an herbal oil while it infuses (at least in the US western herbalism communities). The first, is keeping your jars in a sunny spot (like a windowsill) so that the sun adds heat and warmth to the infusion process. The second approach is keeping your herbal oil in a warm place (like near the oven), but enclosed in a paper bag so that there is the benefit of warmth without the degrading qualities of light. I was taught the second approach since my herbal studies are grounded in hot and dry places where the solar method might lead to spoiling. These days, I keep my herbal oils in my "brewing cupboard" which is a dark and cool shelf space to infuse. If you are new to making herbal oils, I encourage you to try both methods by splitting a batch into two jars, keeping one in the sun and the other away from the light. At the end of the infusion process you can find out which method you like better.
I let my herbal oils infuse for a full lunar cycle, but in general you want to allow them to infuse for at least two weeks. Once the infusion period is over, strain the herbs from the oil (using cheesecloth or similar material), and bottle. Herbal oils should be stored in a cool and dry place - the refrigerator is a great option if you have the space. I'll keep my larger jar of oil in the fridge and keep a smaller dropper bottle of oil in my bathroom cupboard or first aid kit. This helps prolong the life of the oil by keeping most of it refrigerated (or in a cool space) and only doling out what you need when you need it.
Folk method herbal oils, if well stored, can keep up to a year, but, of course, a lot of this depends on how fresh and stable the oil you use for infusion is at the start of the process. Herbal oils made with jojoba as the menstruum can last much longer - two to three years - but in general herbal oils are meant to be used within the turn of a year.
Additional Witchery: Having come from magickal traditions that have a love of jars in spellwork, during the infusion period I treat my herbal oils jars like little altars, setting them up with stones on the lids and other magickal objects. I like to burn a candle on top of the lid at the beginning and the end of the infusion process, speaking blessings and intention for the herbal oil as it burns. I had one teacher who had a collection of stickers and would create little sticker murals on her jars as part of the remedy making process which I found to be charming. What are the ways you might charm your own herbal oil making process?
The Body in Flower Herbal Oil
There is something about an herbal oil made with an abundance of flowers that fills me with a feeling of enchantment. The following herbal oil is not only a good general healing oil for bumps, bruises, and bites (especially with optional addition of Lavandula spp. essential oil) as well as helping with sore muscles and joints, but it carries with it the energy of the blossoming world, reminding our bodies how to bloom.
Combine the following herbs:
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
I haven't given exact parts for the above recipe, because that's not necessary for this blend. You could do equal parts, but you could also experiment with listening to the plant spirits themselves, guiding you to add more of one flower, less of another, combining colors into a pleasing palette that speaks to you.
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Remediations: If you'd like to add essential oils to your herbal oil to increase its shelf life, after the infusion and straining process, add 3 - 5 drops of essential oil per ounce of oil. I like Lavender essential oil for this blend because it's one that I use a lot in the summer to help alleviate the itchiness of bug bites and general contact dermatitis while also helping the body settle after a long day in the sun. If you want to add flower essences to your herbal oil here is how I do it: Before I combine my herbs and oil, I will add a drop or two of the flower essence or flower essence blend I want to use, to my dried herbs. I stir this around and let it sit for about an hour, allowing the dampness of the flower essence to dissipate. Then I'll proceed with making my herbal oil as described.
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