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Minimalist Beauty

living simply with grace, discretion and faith

Minimalist Beauty

DIY Herbal Oil Infusions

March 28, 2017 by Dawn Michelle

I realized the other day that I tend to use oils for literally everything… a nourishing facial moisturizer, body lotion, muscle soreness, fragrance, and as a hair conditioner.  I guess I’m not into creams and lotions as much as I thought.  I seldom use them.

After becoming aware of that, I figured it’s time to take it to the next level.  Infusing my already wonderful carrier oils with herbs will do just that.  The first oil that I ever infused was a hair oil to promote healthy hair, strength and growth.  It turned out amazing!  Here are some awesome herbal infused oil recipes I know you’ll love for all things health and beauty.

FOR HAIR

Strengthening/Softening Hair

Almond or Olive Oil with Amla, Hibiscus Flowers, and Cassia

Note… Amla is known for darkening hair.

Hair Growth

Almond, Jojoba, or Olive Oil with Rosemary Leaf, Lemongrass, and Horsetail

FOR SKIN

Calming

Sweet Almond Oil with Lavender Flowers, Chamomile Flowers, and Passionflower

Note… Use high linoleic Safflower Oil or another high linoleic oil of your choice if you are acne prone.  Read more on oils specifically for acne prone skin here.

Aches, Pains, Bruises and Sprains

Almond Oil with Arnica Flowers and Comfrey Root

Eczema

Avocado Oil or Shea Nut Oil with Chickweed*, Calendula Flowers*, or Blackberry Leaf*

Psoriasis/Diaper Rash

Pomegranate Seed Oil with Chamomile Flowers

Acne

Safflower Oil (only high in linoleic acid) with Neem Leaf, Comfrey Root*, Lavender Flowers**, Red Clover**, Sage Leaf**, Lemon Balm**, Tansy**, Clary Sage**, or Strawberry Leaf**

Read more on oils specifically for acne prone skin here.

Cellulite

Almond Oil with Juniper Berry*

Mature Aging Skin

Kukui Nut or Rosehip Seed Oil with Rose**, Red Clover**, Lady’s Mantle** and Fennel Seed**

Scars

Macadamia Nut or Sea Buckthorn Oil with Basil Leaf***

FRAGRANT HERBAL OIL COMBINATIONS

Lemongrass and Rosemary

Orange and Chamomile

Lavender and Vanilla

Patchouli and Ginger

Honeysuckle and Jasmine

Learning how to infuse oils is actually much simpler than you can actually imagine. The most challenging thing about it is having patience for a potent infusion. Simply add the herbs that you desire to infuse into a jar, fill the remainder of the jar with oil, and leave by a window which gets lots of sunlight.  This is called solar infusion.  I find it best to solar infuse your oil for at least four weeks.  The longer you leave it, the more potent the infusion.  You can speed up this process by using heat, but then it is very important to use a high-heat oil which will not oxidize which can limit your options.

Oh and one more thing! A herbal infused oil would also make nice gift for any occasion. Once you prepare it, you will have to wait a good amount of time for it to be ready. It is 100% worth the wait!

Important Note… Please research new herbs to ensure there is no conflict with pregnancy or medical conditions before using.

Sources…

*The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Healing Remedies by C. Norman Shealy MD, PhD

**Herbs for Healthy Skin by Cindy L. A. Jones PhD

***www.herbsncures.com

You can find more DIY recipes and tutorials here.  Which herbal infused oil do you want to try?

(Revised Updated Article + Image by Mountain Rose Herbs)

Stay Connected with Minimalist Beauty & Subscribe with bloglovin’.  Also Join the Community on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.  For more about Dawn Michelle go here!

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  1. Roberta says

    September 24, 2010 at 1:21 am

    Hi, I’ve been following your blog for a while now and I really want to thank you for your graceful posts. Also, you are a great source of inspiration: I’ve become a vegan since one month and a half and I’m beginning to produce my own beauty product. I learnt a lot from you!

    Keep up the great work,
    have a nice day!

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      September 24, 2010 at 9:27 am

      Wow… Thank you so much Roberta! It means a lot to hear this from you. Also congrats on becoming vegan 😉 That is major! Keep researching as much as you can about vegetarianism as well as superfoods and supplements. A few I’ll mention that have truly supported my vegetarian diet are flaxseed, hemp protein, spirulina, blackstrap molasses (which I put in smoothies for the calcium and iron), B12, acidophilus, and of course a mulit-vitamin and mineral. I am also glad you are beginning to make your own beauty products. It’s so much fun and you can tweak it over time to suit all of your needs and preferences.

      Have a beautiful day and best wishes!

      Reply
  2. Elizabeth says

    October 27, 2013 at 9:02 am

    Hello there! Thank you for your wonderful site!
    I have a question about the infused oils…do you have tips on how to use them? For example, with the one you use on your hair…do you massage directly into your scalp? Or add to shampoo? Etc… I’m especially interested in infusions for the hair & face.
    Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! Elizabeth

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      October 29, 2013 at 10:57 pm

      Hi Elizabeth,

      How you use infused oils just depends on what your hair and skin likes. For example you may want to use an herbal infused oil as a leave-in treatment for your hair. Or if your hair isn’t fond of oils as a leave-in, you could use the oil for a pre-wash scalp massage and hair treatment. As for your face you could use the oil for oil cleansing or a few drops as a moisturizer. Check out this article for more on the types of oils to consider especially if you have acne prone skin.

      Hope this helps!

      Reply
  3. Shawna says

    January 9, 2015 at 8:35 am

    Could you use camellia seed oil to infuse herbs/flowers for scent? I have fine hair and most leave in serums/oils will leave my hair weighed down or greasy, but I am very intrigued by camellia! Your site is amazing and very informative. 🙂

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      January 9, 2015 at 10:18 am

      Hi Shawna,
      You can use any carrier oil of your choice to infuses with herbs. You can get more info and ideas here. Thanks for the compliment too! <3

      Reply
  4. serah says

    September 16, 2015 at 4:26 pm

    Hi,
    When you infuse vanilla beans into coconut oil,
    do you slice the beans and put them into the oven before infusing?
    or
    do you slice the beans and infuse them raw?

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      September 17, 2015 at 12:07 pm

      Hi Serah,
      I love to use the solar infusing method. And yes you can cut the vanilla beans into smaller pieces. You don’t need to heat the beans, yet you can warm the carrier oil prior to infusing. Solar infusing can take weeks, but if you are patient you will have a beautiful and strong infusion. Best wishes!

      Reply
  5. Bree says

    December 20, 2015 at 6:58 am

    Hi! I’m wondering if it’s OK to oil infuse with two or more herbs at once? Thank you so much for all the insight you provide in this blog! Your lifestyle is my goal. 🙂

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      December 20, 2015 at 5:55 pm

      Hi Bree,
      You can infuse more than one herb into an oil at a time. Thank you so much for your comment and kind words too. Have a wonderful holiday season! <3

      Reply
  6. Fatou says

    September 30, 2016 at 6:15 pm

    Since you have a lot of experience infusing oils, I was wondering if you could answer this question. I was trying to infuse some olive oil with rosemary & thyme using the cold method. A couple days later, this white powder (not sure if it’s powdery mildew) started appearing on the top leaves that were not submerged in the oil. Can I still use this oil on my scalp & hair? What if I heated it up to make sure any bacteria has been killed? Thanks for your feedback.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      October 1, 2016 at 8:52 am

      Hi Fatou,
      Did you use dried herbs in the oil infusion or fresh? Also did any water get into the oil? In general when using dried herbs I have never experienced mold during the infusion process. I also make sure to use a clean and dry jar and seal it tight.

      Reply
  7. Sandy says

    March 29, 2017 at 5:47 pm

    My favorite scents: patchouli, lavender and vanilla.
    Just stopped by to wish you , the baby and family wellness and joy.

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      April 5, 2017 at 4:00 pm

      Hi Sandy,

      Thanks so much for sharing and the kind wishes. Sandalwood, lavender, and vanilla are some of my favorite scents. I hope all is well with you too!

      Reply
  8. R. Morris says

    May 31, 2017 at 5:09 pm

    Hi I have been natural for about 4 years. I wore sow in weave for several years. This past year I wore my hair but have suffered with lots of breakage and very dry. I have thick, type 4 c hair. I have never heard about henna before, I am searching for a new way to take care of my beautiful type 4 c hair. What works best on type 4c hair? Thanks

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      June 3, 2017 at 11:58 am

      Hi R. Morris,
      Discovering what works best for your individual hair type takes some trial and error. When you go from wearing your hair in sew-ins to then loose, you are just beginning to learn more on your hair type. I would suggest keeping a journal to keep note of what works and what doesn’t. Also protective styles which allow access to your hair and scalp weekly usually helps the most. You can find more about the basics of how I’ve used henna in the past here. I hope this helps some.

      Reply
  9. Vickie Cassel says

    April 29, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    Where do I find all the different oils mentioned. Many I haven’t heard of. I am very interested to know more about these remedies. I have very delicate skin, I am pushing age 70 and my hair has become frizzy. I see you respond to questions, I find that so very courteous. I think you sound wonderful. Vickie

    Reply
    • Dawn Michelle says

      April 30, 2018 at 2:05 pm

      Hi Vickie,
      Mountain Rose Herbs is the best for purchasing organic oils and more. Each oil listed above is also linked to them. The quality of their ingredients is much higher than any I’ve come across. I’ve also created an organic skin care elixir which you may be interested in as well. You can read more about it here. I hope this helps!

      Reply
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living simply with grace, discretion and faith

I met a woman the other day who openly shared some I met a woman the other day who openly shared some of her challenges with motherhood.  Motherhood is intensely challenging, beyond humbling, and at times you just want the day to be over then realizing that you’ll be back at it the next day.  It never ends and there isn’t much reprive.  It’s been on my heart to share some encouragement to any mother who will read this.  I pray this will bless you in some way.  The link is in my profile!
🌻 #motherhood #encouragement #humility #minimalistbeauty
Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a m Fenugreek seeds, also called methi seeds, have a multitude of medicinal properties along with being a prominent spice in many cultural dishes.  For starters, fenugreek seeds are packed with protein for strengthening strands, mucilage for moisturizing and soothing the scalp while detangling the hair, and most importantly nicotinic acid which may minimize hair shedding while soothing scalp issues.  Fenugreek seeds are also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal which is beneficial for soothing a dry irritated scalp as well as high in iron. 🍂

These little seeds are a win win for natural hair care and can be used in various ways.  I’ve used fenugreek seeds in my beauty regimen on and off for years.  Today I wanted to share four easy ways you can incorporate fenugreek in your hair regimen to promote healthy hair growth.  The link is in the profile. 🍂

#diyhaircare #naturalhair #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
God is so good! We move on FRIDAY. This picture God is so good!  We move on FRIDAY.  This picture was taken before they removed the bricking which was VERY NOISY to say the least.  We haven’t been completely able to avoid the beginning of the construction process, but I honestly think it’s a good thing.  This way we can remain GRATEFUL throughout the entire process.  GRATITUDE during LIFE’S IMPERFECTION develops CONTENTMENT.  That is one thing I work on daily.  If you missed our “We’re Moving Again” testimony it’s on the blog. 🌿🍁🍃

 #testimony #sharewhatisgood #godisgood #godisfaithful #godmakesaway #minimalistbeauty #simpleliving
Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the wee Friday mornings are my busiest mornings of the week.  I make muffins for Saturday’s breakfast (either corn bread, pumpkin, or banana bread muffins) to have with fruit, a big crockpot dinner for the weekend (beans & rice bowls, lentils and sweet potato stews, or a big veggie and red potato stew) to serve with bread, tortillas, grains, and/or salad depending on the dish, and I’m usually putting orders together to go out for @iamazuha today too.  All the while I’m also making other food for the day. 🍂🥧🍁

Friday’s are crazy because of the usual responsibilities, but mainly because I really want to relax a bit over the weekend.  Over this past year I’ve worked really hard to create systems to make working from home and being a homemaker easier.  Homemaking really is like running a small boutique bed and breakfast hotel.  It takes planning ahead, having a solid system, financial planning, commitment, and a lot of love.  I’ve been learning to really enjoy this process.  Just like everybody else I’ve been baking more this year than ever.  Very rewarding. 🍂🥧🍁

Wishing all of you a beautiful and blessed weekend! 
💞Dawn Michelle
We’re MOVING again! With everything going on wi We’re MOVING again!  With everything going on with the world wide pandemic, I’m seeing the importance of sharing anything good that the Lord is doing in your life with others.  We need HOPE.  We need to share the JOY of walking with God.  The testimonies of glorifying God would just add encouragement that I know I need.  I LOVE hearing of God making ways out of no way, giving us more hope and FAITH. 🌿🍂🍃

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Much love!
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I simply juice 2 WHOLE medium/large APPLES (3 small apples pictured) + 3 CLOVES of GARLIC in a slow masticating juicer for one immune boosting serving.  Yes I do include the core as it has many health benefits. 🍎 

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#immuneboost #juicing #juicerecipe #simplenutrition #healthyliving #minimalistbeauty #minimalistbeautyeats
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Linen clothing can last up to 2-3 decades if properly cared for.  I’ve made some mistakes along the way, but have finally found a simple method for caring for my linen garments. (Link in profile.)
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#linenlover #minimalistbeauty #sponsored @mountainroseherbs
I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I stopped using henna, I tossed my comb and brush, I wear hair buns 95% of the time, and my hair care routine only got simpler with only two “products”. All the details plus why I really cut my hair last spring on the blog.  Much love!  #minimalistbeauty #curlyhairroutine #naturalhaircare

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