One of the things I love to do when making my natural & handcrafted skincare products is to incorporate herbal infusions into my products. This process makes the manufacturing of The Bath Witch’s products take a little longer to complete but I think the result is worth it.
Let’s dig in; what is an herbal infusion? An herbal infusion is similar to an herbal tea or tisane. However, to make an herbal infusion you must use much more plant material and steep the mixture much longer than tea or tisane. Also, you can make an herbal infusion with a water base or an oil base. The Bath Witch uses both in our products.
The benefits of herbal infusions are extensive. Making an herbal infusion for natural skincare extracts tons of vitamins and minerals from the herbs and lets the maker incorporate the nutrient rich infusion into their finished product.
When I use water to make an herbal infusion or tisane I like to start with 1-2 cups of distilled water, and ¼ cup of my herb of choice such as; rosemary, rose petals, thyme, etc. I heat the water till it boils and then remove it from the heat source and add my dried or fresh herbs into it. I cover the mixture with a lid. Then let this mixture sit for 2-4 hours. To incorporate a water herbal infusion into a finished product the infusion should be used the same day it is made for the best results and the least chance of contamination, and the finished product should be preserved.
When I want to make herbal infused oils or Macerated Oils I use either of the following two methods. The first method is the solar infused method, and the second method is slowly heating the oil and herbs over a low heat -using a double boiler. The key to making macerated oils is you must use herbs that are completely dry to avoid the infused oils turning rancid. I like the solar method for personal products because I feel akin to the wise women of years past. Picking, and drying their favorite medicinal herbs to mix into their potions. I feel super witchy when I do this! However, for my business, it is much too time consuming, so I opt for the slow heat method.
If you wanted to make solar infused oil, you would need a jar like a mason jar with a lid, a carrier oil, and some dried herbs. First, you would fill your jar with clean, dried herbs and then cover the herbs completely with your choice of carrier oil. Any carrier oil will do, Olive oil, avocado oil, or sunflower oil. Carrier oils have their own skin loving benefits – so the options are endless! It is very important your herbs are completely dry, and they are completely covered by your carrier oil to keep them safe from bacteria growing. Let this mixture sit for 4-6 weeks in a sunny windowsill, giving it a shake every day. Once the desired length of time has passed, strain your oil using a fine strainer or cheesecloth.
The second method that can be used to make infused oil is using a double boiler. To make this type of oil; first you will need 2 pans ( or a double boiler if you have one) Fill one pan with your carrier oil of choice, and add your dried herbs of choice- again making sure the herbs are completely dry and covered by the carrier oil. Cover this. Then fill a second pan with water. Next, heat the water over low heat. Place your pan with the oil and herbs over the heated water. The heated water will slowly heat the oil in the pan above it, which will then infuse all the goodness of your herbs into your oil. Heat like this for at least 2 hours (add water to the bottom pan as necessary). Slow and steady wins the race- if too hot and you will scorch your oil.
Once complete, strain the herbs from your oil. Pour into an airtight, glass jar with a lid, put the date on the jar, and store in a cool, dark space until ready to use. When you do use your infused oil, be sure to add something to keep your oil from oxidizing and turning rancid quickly in your product. I like to use Vitamin E oil.
Try our most popular products made with herbal tisanes and Macerated Oils.
The Bath Witch
1044 Main St, Coventry, RI 02816
Interesting blog to learn different methods. It's good to know how much work & love go into making your products!!!