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This page will discuss various methods for making your own infused oils as well as for making your own incenses. �When making oils please remember to always start with clean sterile equipment, this means cleansing and boiling all jars and lids as well as any utemsils you are going to use. �You must dry them throughly wiht a clean soft cloth. � �Never add new oil to oil and always pour oil into smaller sterile containers as the amount in the container lessens. �Always store in a cool dark place, preferrably in the frig if possible and always in dark colored glass containers. �Infused oils are good for massage purposes up to six months after being prepared but are best if used within the first three months. �Never keep infused oils for cooking longer than three months!
OILS
There's a difference in the oils you'll be using.
One type of oil is "Essential Oils" these are oils extracted or distilled
from the plant or herb and are only the oils. They're very strong. If you
see a recipe calling for; 4 drops yarrow oil, 3 drops rose oil or something
like that chances are they mean "Essential Oils". Essential Oils are not
easy to make they're very involved and time consuming. �Not to mention
the fact that it takes an etraordinary amount of herb to obtain the fewest
drops of precious oil. �I am attempting this for the first time, II
will let you all know how it goes. It's normally best to purchase Essential
Oils through your local Pagan/Wiccanshop or Health food store. They can also
be purchased from various companies that sell herbs.
The Oils part of this page will deal with making
Infused Oils which...in it's most basic term...is oils that have the scent
of the herb, plant, flower that you're using. There are two schools of thought
on making Infused Oils. One is that the oil should be warmed and the other
is a cold method. We will explore them both. The main benefit of using warmed
oils is that they usually last longer than cold oils will and the heat helps
kill any bacteria or other nasty things hanging out in there. �Either
method you choose you MUST completely wash, with pure soap and hot water,
all utensils you will be using. �All jars and lids should be boiled
fo rno less than ten minutes and dried completely with a clean soft cloth!
WARMED OILS
Begin with fresh flowers, herbs, or plants. Dried tend not to produce the
fragrance you're looking for but if that's all you have by all means use
them. Gently bruise and crush the herb, flower or plant and place in a cast
iron skillet. Pour just enough oil over the herbs to cover them and no more
than that. Slowly heat the mixture over a period of at least one hour. Keep
a good eye on it DO NOT allow it to boil. If boiling begins remove from heat
immediately, allow to cool and then replace on a lower setting. This process
may need to be repeated up to four times before you obtain the exact scent
you're looking for depending on how strong you want it to be. Allow oil and
herbs to cool completely in cast iron skillet then strain through a filter,
I use a regular coffee filter, you can use any UNdyed fabric such as cotton
or linen. Cheesecloth works well but will usually have to be doubled or tripled
to prevent the herbs from straining through. Store your oils in a cool dark
place or in the refrigerator when completely cooled. They should last up
to six months. �You will get a little longer life out of them by storing
in the frig.
Another warm method is to fill heat resistant jars...mason jars usually...with
fresh herb and cover with oil. Cap tightly and place jars in a sauce pan
filled with 2-4 inches of water. Bring water to a full boil and allow to
simmer for an hour or so. Cool and strain, repeat the process. Keep repeating
until you have the desired strength.
Yet another uses good old Solar Power...this is a must if you're making an
oil from St. John's Wort. Pack your clean jar with fresh herb and cover with
the oil of your choice. Cap tightly. Allow to sit in the sun for three to
four days. Strain and store. A lot of books and people do NOT recommend this
method, it is here only for your perusal and I recommend it only for massage
oils and St. John's Wort oil.
COLD OILS
Personally I find this method to be the best. I only do warmed oils if I'm
in a hurry and need to have the oil...like yesterday. To make cold oils again
begin with fresh herbs, plants or flowers. In a very clean glass jar, preferably
blue, green or brown glass, I use mason jars. Pack fresh herbs in the jar
and again just enough oil to cover the herbs. This is trickier than it
sounds...you must wait and watch for the oil to settle completely and then
you will need to add more. Cap lightly and store in a cool dark place. Once
a day, at least, check on the oils. Swirl them around in the container well
and then allow to sit. At the end of one week check your oil to see how it's
coming along. If the desired scent has not yet been achieved remove the herbs
and replace with fresh herbs. Repeat this process for at least three weeks
or until desired scent is achieved. When desired scent is achieved strain
the oil and pour into containers. You may strain them using an ordinary plastic
cullender if you wish. For those oils when I really want all of the essential
oil extracted from the herb that I can get I pick up the gooey mess and squeeze
it tightly in my hands, allowing the liquid to fall down into the cullender
and into the jar. Those brown spots you will see...normally they're brown..is
the essential oil of the plant, don't worry about it...this is what you want.
These oils will usually last about two to three months. They can last, easily,
up to six months if you add vitamin E for a preservative. The amount of vitamin
E should be at or near 2% of the enite mixture. Just buy some capsules at
the local pharmacy, crack them open and pour it in. You may also find liquid
vitamin E in the body lotion/skin care section of your local pharmacy. Wheat
germ oil may also be added for a preservative. With this method it is very
important that you keep your oils in the frig and never allow air space.
Keep pouring the oil into smaller and smaller jars until it's time to make
more. Always, no matter which method you're using, be sure to use CLEAN jars...I
find that boiling them for ten to fifteen minutes to steralize them first
is one of the best ways to cut down on any bacteria that may be in the jar
already. Never add fresh oil to old oil.
An extremely easy way to make infused oils is to simply purchase essential
oils at your local favorite shop. Add the essential oil drop by drop...say
that with me now...drop by drop...to a base oil until you have the desired
scent. Do not pour essential oil into base oil, essential oil is probably
a lot stronger than you think.
BASE OILS
Both of these methods call for Base Oils or Fixatives. Good base oils and/or
fixatives are extra virgin olive oil, sweet almond oil is protein rich,
lubricating, penetrating and generally odorless.Jojoba oil, is not actually
an oil it's more of a liquid wax and is similar to the moisturizer in your
own body. Good for all skin types. Doesn't go rancid but is very expensive.
Grapeseed oil, penetrates the skin quickly and is a favorite among
aromatherapists but it is not recommended for us on broken skin or sensitive
areas.
Coconut oil, also expensive and sometimes very difficult to find but if you
can get it, it's worth it.
Apricot kernel oil, high in vitamins A&B which aids in healing and
rejuvenation of skin cells. used primarily in facial preparations especially
good for delicate, inflamed or sensitive skin. Sesame oil is rich in vitamin
E, minerals, proteins and lecithin. It can speed healing, prevent drying,
soften the skin and it has a sunscreen effect of about SPF4. Wheatgerm oil
is high in Vitamins A, D and E. Is a natural antioxidant that strengthens
weakened capillaries. Good for healing scars, burns and stretch marks.
Regenerates skin cells and helps keep skin soft and supple. Again this one
is expensive and goes rancid quickly. You can use the canola oils you find
at the grocery store but they aren't usually as pure as the other oils mentioned,
if that doesn't bother you by all mean use them. When making an oil that's
going to be used for massage purposes it is good to use a base oil you can
find it an oil made from peppermint or eucalyptus if the massage is for
invigorating purposes.
MIXING OILS AND HERBS
For the most part it's fine to make oils using more than one herb. Some people
are crazy about lavender/rose oil. I don't like the two combined but you
might. Use the same recipe as above using half of each herb that you want
to use or more of the herb that you wish to be more prominent in the scent.
RECIPES
For the most you'll want to experiment on your own and see what you come
up with but here are some good basic recipes to get you started. They make
wonderful birthday, Yule, or other gifts.
BASIL OIL
Wonderful for cooking! You can make this either the Cold way or the Warm
way.
Begin with one ounce crushed basil, leaves and stems . Add your base oil
for this one and all cooking oils I prefer light olive oil but you choose
what you like. Follow the either the cold or warm method. You can also make
a combination of Basil/Garlic oil by using this recipe and adding 4 cloves
of garlic peeled and slightly mashed. Store in a cool dark place. The same
method may be used for making cooking oils of thyme, sage, rosemary and
oregano.
ROSE OIL
Use a clean glass crock and pour in one half cup extra virgin olive oil.
Add enough ffreshly picked rose pedals to cover the oil. Allow to stand 24
hours and strain oil pressing all oil from petals. Discard petal and
begin the process again until desired scent is achieved.
Another method is:
One cup of Vodka and enough petals to cover the liquid. Let stand covered
tightly for two weeks in a cool dark place. Press the oil from the petals
through a filter. The product you now have is a natural rose perfume. Freeze
this for 24 hours. The oil will freeze and the alcohol will not. Remove the
frozen rose oil and store in a tightly sealed
container. You can keep the alcohol for use again.
This produces a near essential rose oil.
MAGICKAL OILS
Here are a few recipes for Magical Oils. Most call for "Essential Oils" but
if you don't have them then the oil extracts will do. For one to try on your
own try making your own personal Magickal oil..do this by combining equal
part of three herbs, one for the sign of the Sun, (examples...almong, angelica,
chamomile, celandine, frankincense, rosemary, Saint John' wort) one for the
sign of the Moon (examples...camphor, coriander, ginger, iris, jasmine, rose,
rowan) and one for your own personal ascendant or rising sign.
The best way to begin is by taking combinations of dried herbs and grinding
them together. Smell lightly and deeply of the mixture and then allow yourself
to feel the aromas. If you are pleased then go ahead and begin making oil.
If not pleased then begin again.
ANOINTING OIL
This is used for anointing candles for candle magick, anoint the self or
another for ritual, the consecration of tools, wands, talismans and charms.
Ingredients:
5 drops Sandalwood oil
1 drop orange oil
1 drop lemon oil
1/2 ounce base oil of your choice.
This is done with the cold method and is NOT for ingestion.
PROTECTION OIL
5 drops clove oil
4 drops patchouli oil
a bit of Hyssop
3 drops anise oil
You may add this to 1/4 cup of base oil if desired.
Again this is not for ingestion but to be worn by yourself or someone who
feels they require protection. A truly wonderful way to make Protection Oil
is to do gather your knowledge of protective herbs and using the trial method
described above find a combination of herbs which suits you best.
INCENSE
Incense is probably one of the easiest things to make though it can get a
little messy. First begin by burning the dried herb you wish to make
incense from. Not all herbs smells as good when they're burning as they do
when fresh or dried!
Grind your herb(s) with your mortal and pestle and place upon a piece of
burning charcoal, this is the simplest way to make incense.
Stick incense, you'll need to purchase some gum
Arabic or acacia gum from a local art supply store or craft shop for this.
This is a very sticky bonding agent which you will mix with the finely ground
herbs and then adhere to a broomstraw to make sticks or you can shape them
into little cones with your fingers to make cone incense. Allow at least
a full day to dry before using.
Ultimately you will experiment with different herbs
to find the mixtures that you like best. But here are a few things to get
you started.
Burning dried sage by itself not made into a formal form of incense is very
good for removing negative energies.
A nice Praying incense is
1 part Frankincense
2 parts Sandalwood
2 tablespoons vanilla extract.
Mix all ingredients well and burn over a hot piece of charcoal (or make into
stick or cone incense if desired). This is a wonderful fragrance
for praying, meditation, spiritual workings.
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