Pike Herb Company 58 Tunnel Road Pottsville, PA 17901

Making Herbal Oils

Herbal oils are made by extracting the herbal constituents and volatile oils from the herbs for a later use. Any vegetable oil will do, yet olive, almond, canola, and sesame oils are the best. Herbal oils can be added to recipes, used for cooking, or massaged into sore body parts. Herbal oils can be infused by two methods; cold infusion and hot infusion.

Cold Infused Oil

1. To begin, tightly fill a large sealable jar with selected herb flowers or leaves.
2. Cover herbs with selected oil and screw on lid.
3. Place jar on a sunny windowsill for approximately one month, shaking daily.
4. Strain the mixture into a container, and transfer into a dark bottle.
5. Place in a cool, dark place.

Hot Infused Oil

1. To begin, place a ratio of 2 cups oil to 1 cup of dried herbs/ 2 cups fresh herbs, in a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Slowly heat on low for approximately 3 hours, and strain into a bowl.
3. Transfer liquid into dark bottles, cap, and place in a cool, dark place.