Making Herbal Bath Oils part 1: Solar Infusion
There are a few ways of making herbal bath oils. I still have more to learn about the other methods, but this one is very straightforward. Since this method makes use of the heat of the sun it is known as solar infusion. It is also referred to as the cold method, as opposed to the hot method which will be covered in part 2. [Note: Part 2 is now published, and also includes additional useful information on preparation and filtering of the infusion.]
To make a scented oil from any flowering herb such as rosemary and lavender, simply place the herbs in a jar and cover with your chosen oil. See the photo below. It’s very important that the herbs are completely covered by the oil. Any not kept covered could turn mouldy. Leave on a sunny windowsill, shaking the jars daily and ensuring each time that the herbs remain covered. After 2 to 4 weeks remove the herbs, strain, and pour into clean bottles.
Suitable oils include sunflower, olive and sweet almond oil. I started with sunflower and olive because they are cheaper than other options. I wanted to test the method – that is, I wanted to be sure I wouldn’t end up with a jar full of mouldy plant matter that couldn’t be used! But I also wanted to compare the two oils.
Results
I expected my preference would be for the richer olive oil, and was surprised to find I prefer the cheaper, thinner, less aromatic sunflower oil. Both oils are equally effective, though, in softening the water and moisturising the skin. They work beautifully. It’s just a matter of personal preference.
As for the rosemary – although it has quite a strong scent in the bottle (this is masked by the peppery olive smell in the olive & rosemary oil) once mixed with the bathwater the scent is barely noticeable. The uplifting effects of the rosemary, however, are wonderful and instantaneous!
I’m delighted with these two home made bath oils, which cost very little to make and I know contain nothing harmful.
I’m now experimenting further with this method, using different herb and oil combinations.
There’s an interesting dispersible oil called Turkey Red Oil that might be interesting for bath oils if you can find it. It’s mentioned in some of my books but I don’t remember if I ever tracked it down.
Hi Rachel,
You can get it from Aromantic.co.uk which is in my sidebar. It’s castor oil which has been saponified with sodium hydroxide. It’s suggested as a carrier for essential oils, so I wouldn’t use it for herbs as here – I’m sure the sodium hydroxide would have an effect on the process. Actually I find bath oils are effective without having emulsifiers added. It’s true that you see the oil floating on top of the bath water but this doesn’t seem to stop it moisturising the skin and softening the water.
Hope you have a good weekend! Bright and sunny again here.
I’ve always meant to make bath oils but thought you needed the expensive oils. Now I know you don’t….there’s a lovely patch of lavender coming into flower outside the Hub’s Office Block- d’you suppose they’d notice if the flowers all disappeared in a day or two?
Thank you for the experiment and the info that sunflower oil is just as effective- It makes it much more possible!
It is such an interesting study. And there is something very ancient about it. Have you ever made sun tea? It is popular here in the South.
No. Would that be herbs left on a sunny window sill to infuse in water? How do you do it – how long?
Wow, next try this is! Lovely.
Proverò sicuramente! Adoro gli oli essenziali di lavanda e rosmarino. Che bello questo tuo secondo blog! Abbiamo interssi molto simili. Anche a me piace molto fare in casa il sapone !
Un bacio!
Grazie Donata.
Spero che provate questa ricetta. E ‘molto facile. Sì, mi è piaciuto fare sapone, ma non ho fatto molto perché dura a lungo! (Spero che tu capisca questo commento…!)
Ciao ciao ed un bacio,
Janice.
I am interested in making turkey red oil , but when the sulfuric acid mixing little by little the steel jar is become hot . how can I made with clear odor?