Canning oils for salves

Infused oils are the base ingredients for your salves. Making them is super easy! I will give you the short and quick of it and also tell you how to make sure you don't end up with rancid oil (I just had to throw one out because the seal popped. I was super sad.)  

FIRST OFF: Please research your herbs to make sure that the herbs are safe to use! This is your responsibility! Mistakes can be hazardous and even fatal! 

So let's start with what you need: Glass jars and your standard canning equipment, cheese cloth (or muslin), desired herbs (dried or fresh), and a good base oil, like Olive or Grapeseed, double broiler if you have one, if not then a glass bowl over a pot of boiling water will do. 

There are two methods, which I usually combine: Hot infusion and cold infusion.

Hot first:

1. So, you combine the oil and the desire herbs in the double broiler or glass bowl. The ratio is basically 1:1 for dried herbs. A little more than 1:1 for fresh. (Preferably 2:1 for fresh, but you have to make sure you have a big enough jar and that the herbs are covered in the oil.) 

2. Simmer the oil and herbs for 2-3 hours. 

3. Remove from heat, allow to cool, strain through muslin or cheese cloth, making sure to squeeze all the oil from the herbs. 

4. Pour into an airtight, STERILIZED (remember about the rancid oil thing??) jar and store for up to a year. 

Now cold:

1. Combine oil and herbs in a STERILIZED (there it is again!!) jar, making sure the herbs are covered by oil. 

2. Close jar and shake to mix the ingredients together. 

3. Place in a sunny window and let sit for 2-6 weeks. (or if you are like me you leave them for 2-3 months)

4. Strain and store just like you would the hot infusion. 

How I combine the two:

After simmering the oil and herbs I hot can them together and make sure the jars seal and then sit them in a sunny window for 2 to 3 months. This makes a more potent infused oil. I like some of my oils (like calendula, chamomile, and chickweed) strong. They are benign herbs therefore they won't harm in excessive amounts applied topically. They will just be more smelly :) (think lavender!) I also add a couple drops (that's all you need) of essential oil (like lavender or tea tree) and a couple drops of pure vitamin e oil to each jar before storage. This helps preserve them and keep stuff from growing in them once you have opened them. :)

STERILIZING JARS, RINGS AND LIDS:

This is so important for storage. You have to get the jars, rings, and lids hot enough to kill any microorganisms that may be lurking. Just the facts. Start with a clean work space. We have our hot water set at 180 or 190. I wash my jars on the sanitize setting in our dishwasher and then don't touch them except on the bottom of the jar. You can also boil the jars, rings, and lids. I have done this as well. It all works. Just make sure you never touch the jar except on the outside and bottom, and don't touch the rings and lids except with a canning tool. This will ensure a good seal and that nothing can grow in or get into the infused oils. 

These are the methods I like to use. Some people use more or less herbs and some people like different oils. It isn't set in stone and each ingredient brings its own unique quality to the finished product!