How to Infuse Oils with Medicinal Herbs at Home
There’s something so grounding about creating your own herbal infusions right in your kitchen. As a homestead mom who loves doing things from scratch, I’ve found that infusing oils with healing herbs is one of the simplest—and most rewarding—ways to bring natural medicine into everyday life. These infused oils become the foundation for homemade chapsticks, soaps, salves, and lotions, all made with ingredients you can trust because you made them yourself.
Whether you’ve grown your own herbs in the garden or picked them up from a local farmers’ market, turning them into infused oils is the first step toward building a natural medicine cabinet that works as hard as you do.
Why Infused Oils?
Infusing herbs into oil extracts their medicinal properties, aroma, and color in a gentle way. When you combine the natural healing power of plants with nourishing oils like coconut, olive, or sweet almond, you get a product that can soothe dry skin, promote healing, and add natural goodness to anything from salves to soap bars.
Below are some of my favorite herb/ oil infusions, and you can combine them for maximum benefit depeding on what you want to use them for!
Calendula Infused Coconut Oil
Calendula is one of the most beloved herbs in any homestead apothecary. Those bright orange and yellow petals are known for their skin-healing properties. This is my favorite medicinal herb to grow, as it is not only powerful, but extremely easy to grow AND beautiful!!! A simple calendula coconut oil infusion can help with:
- soothing dry, chapped skin
- calming rashes or irritation
- speeding up healing for minor cuts and scrapes
How to Make It:
- Dry your calendula petals completely (moisture can cause mold).
- Place the petals in a clean glass jar to 2/3 full, and cover them with melted coconut oil, filling the jar.
- Cold infusion method: Seal the jar and let it sit in a warm, sunny window for 4–6 weeks. Warm infusion method: Keep the jar in a pot of 1-2 inches hot water, simmering lightly for 4 hours. Refill pot as needed.
- Melt again and strain through cheesecloth and store in a clean jar.
Use this oil as the base for homemade chapstick, healing salves, or even as a gentle moisturizer straight from the jar. This is the only moisturizer I use on my face and it is lovely!
Comfrey Infused Olive Oil
Comfrey has earned the nickname “knitbone” for a reason. It’s been used for centuries to support the healing of bruises, sprains, and even broken bones. When infused into olive oil, comfrey makes an excellent base for homemade healing balms.
Uses: salves for sore muscles, joint rubs, or in a soap recipe for extra skin-loving benefits.
How to Make Comfrey Infused Olive Oil 🌿
You’ll Need:
- 1 cup dried comfrey leaves (never fresh—they hold too much water)
- 1 ½ cups olive oil (organic, cold-pressed if possible)
- Clean glass jar with lid
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer
Instructions:
- Prep your herbs – Make sure your comfrey leaves are fully dried. If you grew your own, let them air dry until crisp before using.
- Fill the jar – Place dried comfrey leaves in a clean glass jar.
- Add oil – Pour olive oil over the comfrey until the leaves are completely submerged. Stir gently to release any air bubbles.
- Infuse – Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny window for 2–3 weeks. Shake gently every day to help the infusion process.
- ⏱ Quick Method: For faster results, you can gently heat the oil + comfrey in a double boiler on the lowest setting for 2–3 hours, keeping the oil under 120°F to preserve nutrients.
- Strain & Store – Strain through cheesecloth into a clean, dry jar. Label with the name + date. Store in a cool, dark place.
Shelf Life: Up to 1 year if stored properly.
How to Use Comfrey Infused Olive Oil
- Add to homemade salves for bruises, sprains, or sore muscles
- Blend with beeswax for an easy healing balm
- Massage gently into achy joints or tired legs
Plantain Infused Sweet Almond or Olive Oil
Plantain (the common “weed” you’ll find in your yard, not the banana cousin) is incredible for pulling out toxins from bug bites and soothing itchy skin. Whenever we get a bee sting this is the first plant we grab!! Infusing plantain into sweet almond oil creates a silky, lightweight oil that’s wonderful for:
- bug bite balm
- after-sun lotion
- soothing chapsticks
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried plantain leaves
- 1 ½ cups sweet almond oil
- Clean glass jar with lid
Instructions:
- Place dried plantain leaves into a clean glass jar.
- Pour oil over the leaves until completely covered. Stir gently.
- Seal and place in a sunny windowsill for 2–3 weeks, shaking gently every day.
- Quick Method: Warm gently in a double boiler for 2–3 hours (keep under 120°F).
- Strain through cheesecloth into a clean jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
How to Use:
- Bug bite balm or salve
- After-sun lotion
- Base for chapstick or lip balm
Lavender Infused Jojoba Oil
💜 Lavender is beloved for its calming, antibacterial properties. Infused into jojoba oil, it becomes a multipurpose blend for skincare, massage, and homemade soap.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried lavender buds
- 1 ½ cups jojoba oil
- Clean glass jar with lid
Instructions:
- Add dried lavender buds to a clean glass jar.
- Pour jojoba oil over the buds until completely covered. Stir gently to remove air bubbles.
- Seal and let infuse in a sunny window for 2–3 weeks, shaking daily.
- Quick Method: Heat in a double boiler for 2–3 hours, keeping oil under 120°F.
- Strain through cheesecloth into a clean jar.
- Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
How to Use:
- Facial oil for acne-prone or irritated skin
- Calming massage oil
- Added to soap or lotion bars for relaxation
Tips for Successful Herbal Infusions
- Always dry your herbs first to avoid mold.
- Choose quality oils—organic and cold-pressed if possible.
- Label your jars with the date and type of infusion.
- Store finished oils in a cool, dark place to extend shelf life.
What to Make with Infused Oils
Once you’ve mastered infusions, the possibilities are endless:
- Chapstick or lip balm – Calendula coconut oil is a favorite for dry lips. Here is my post with instructions!
- Healing salves – Combine comfrey and plantain oils with beeswax for an all-purpose balm.
- Homemade soap – Add lavender-infused jojoba oil to your next soap batch.
- Lotion bars – Mix any infused oil with shea butter and beeswax for a nourishing bar.
Final Thoughts
Infusing oils with medicinal herbs is such a simple step toward living a more self-sufficient, from-scratch lifestyle. Every jar of herbal oil feels like a little piece of your homestead garden captured and ready to serve your family. Start with calendula, comfrey, plantain, and lavender—you’ll be amazed at how quickly your kitchen turns into a natural apothecary.
So go ahead, grab those jars, pick some herbs, and let nature do its work. Your homemade chapstick, soap, and salves are waiting.
