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5 from 2 votes

Medicinal Herbal Oils and Salves Master Recipe

This is a master recipe for how to make medicinal herbal oils and herbal salves using any herbs.
Prep Time0 minutes
Cook Time1 hour
Steeping Time for Method 114 days
Total Time14 days 1 hour
Course: Natural Remedies
Cuisine: Americana
Servings: 8 ounces

Equipment

  • 8 ounce glass jar with lid
  • Double boiler
  • Small shallow baking dish
  • 8 ounce bottle with lid, preferably amber in color
  • 4 ounce jar with lid, preferably amber in color

Ingredients

Medicinal Herbal Oil Ingredients

  • 8 ounces Olive oil, preferably extra virgin If available, organic is best.
  • 4 tbsp Dried herbs 6-8 tablespoons if using fresh herbs. Chop fresh herbs before adding them to the jar.

Medicinal Herbal Salve Ingredients

  • 4 ounces Medicinal herbal oil This can be doubled to make a larger quantity.
  • 1/8 cup Beeswax, pellets or grated This can be doubled to make a larger quantity.
  • 10 drops Essential oil, optional

Instructions

Instructions for Making Medicinal Herbal Oil - Sun Method

  • Fill an 8 ounce jar with dried herbs of choice. If using dried flowers, your herbs should fill the jar approximately 3/4 full. If using dried herbs (leaves, stems, roots) that have been crushed, your herbs should fill the jar approximately 1/2 full. If using fresh herbs (flowers, leaves, stems, or roots), your herbs should fill the jar approximately 3/4 full.
  • Fill the jar with olive oil so that all herbs are completely covered and submerged under the oil. Put the lid on the jar.
  • Set the jar in a warm place for approximately two weeks. After two weeks, strain out the herbs and decant the oil into a clean bottle, preferably an amber-colored glass bottle that will protect the essential oils and the olive oil and extend the shelf life.
  • The shelf life for this medicinal herbal oil is approximately 1 year.

Instructions for Making Medicinal Herbal Oil - Stovetop Method

  • Using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan, fill the lower part of the double boiler or the saucepan with a few inches of water. Set the burner heat on its lowest setting.
  • Place the herbs in the top of the double boiler or the heatproof bowl and add the oil. Make sure all the herbs are saturated and covered by the oil. (See video.)
  • Allow the herbs to simmer for approximately 60 minutes.
  • After 60 minutes, turn off the burner heat and transfer double boiler or saucepan and heatproof bowl to a heatproof surface and allow the mixture to cool slightly.
  • Place a mesh strainer over a heatproof vessel and strain and pour the herbs and oil into the mesh strainer.
  • Allow the oil to drain but DO NOT press or squeeze the herbs. You do not want any particles to transfer through the mesh strainer into the oil.
  • Once the oil stops dripping, decant the oil into a clean bottle, preferably an amber-colored glass bottle that will protect the essential oils and the olive oil and extend the shelf life.
  • Allow the oil to cool and then place the cap on the bottle.
  • The shelf life for this medicinal herbal oil is approximately 1 year.

Instructions for Making Medicinal Herbal Oil - Oven Method

  • Place the herbs in a shallow heatproof baking dish and add oil. Make sure that all the herbs are saturated and covered by the oil.
  • Place the dish on the middle shelf of a preheated oven set to its lowest setting.
  • Every 30 minutes, open the oven and stir the herbs in the oil.
  • This process can take between 30 minutes to approximately 6 hours. (Herbalists differ in their opinions as to how long this will take. As I mention in my blog post, I don't use the Oven method.)
  • Once the herb and oil mixture becomes fragrant, the process is complete. Remove the baking dish from the oven and transfer it to a heatproof surface. Allow the dish to cool slightly.
  • Place a mesh strainer over a heatproof vessel and strain and pour the herbs and oil into the mesh strainer.
  • Allow the oil to drain but DO NOT press or squeeze the herbs. You do not want any particles to transfer through the mesh strainer into the oil.
  • Once the oil stops dripping, decant the oil into a clean bottle, preferably an amber-colored glass bottle that will protect the essential oils and the olive oil and extend the shelf life.
  • Allow the oil to cool, and then place a cap on the bottle.
  • The shelf life for this medicinal herbal oil is approximately 1 year.

Instructions for Making Medicinal Herbal Salve

  • Using a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan, fill the lower part of the double boiler or the saucepan with a few inches of water. Set the burner heat on its lowest setting.
  • Place the medicinal herbal oil in the top of the double boiler or the heatproof bowl and add the beeswax to the medicinal herbal oil.
  • Stir the oil and beeswax gently and allow the beeswax to melt completely.
  • Once the beeswax has melted completely, turn off the burner heat and transfer the double boiler or saucepan and heatproof bowl to a heatproof surface.
  • If using an essential oil, add it now to the warm salve. Stir well to completely distribute the essential oil throughout the warm salve.
  • While still warm, carefully pour the salve mixture into a jar. Allow it to cool. Once completely cooled and solidified, place a cap on the jar.
  • The shelf life for this medicinal herbal salve is approximately 1 year.

Video

Notes

Disclaimer: I am not a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the MarysNest.com website, YouTube Channel, emails, and related social media, including text, images, videos, or other formats, were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have watched on this video or read on the corresponding website. Use caution when following the recipes in the emails, videos, or website. The creator and publisher of the emails, videos, and website will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of the recipes and methods in the emails, video channel, or corresponding website.
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