Herbal infused oils are some of my favorite things to make and add to my witchy apothecary.

I’m going to teach you how to make the most beautiful and potent lavender oil so keep reading.

And the best part is you don’t have to wait weeks for it to be finished and ready to use!

Not only do I use them on my skin and in formulations that I create, they can also be used in spells, rituals, baths, candle dressing, and anointing. They’re also safer to use and way less expensive than using essential oils.

Infused herbal oil can be used for so many things depending on the herb/s you choose. Use them as massage oil or healing oil. You can create ointments, salves, and lotions. Or use them in salad dressings!

I like to infuse my oils with single herbs but you can make a blended infused oil as well. I like the individual oils because I can pick and choose what I need at any given time and not be limited.

So, what makes this oil different than regular infused herbal oil?

Well magick, duh!

This recipe we’ll be using lavender but any herb could be swapped out. As for the magic, I use oil that I set out under a new moon, full moon, or dark moon depending on the energy I want the oil to be imbued with. Sometimes I create a crystal grid around the oil while it’s under the moon. Or, I place a crystal on top of the jar.

The crystals I use depends on what energy I’m going for in the particular oil I’m making. I also set an intention for what I want the oil to accomplish as it’s being used.

Making oil this way does take a bit of planning, but it’s so worth it. You can make basic oil without the magick and it will still be very healing. But the magick is everything with this oil.

The oil facts:

For Lavender infused oil I tend to make larger batches because I use a lot of it. I like my herbal oils pretty potent so I use a 1:4 ratio. Learn more about ratios here.

You’ll also need to use Fractionated or MCT Coconut oil.

This is very important! This coconut oil stays liquid even when cold, has a longer shelf life, and is more heat tolerant. Don’t use regular coconut oil or it will become solid at room temperature.

Can you use other oils? Yes, but the reason I love this oil is for the reasons stated above. Plus it’s clear with no odor so the color and aroma of the herbs really get to shine.

You’ll also need a kitchen scale. If you plan on making oils, tinctures, and any other of the recipes and formulations, a scale is a must. You can get an inexpensive one on Amazon.

This is because you need to weigh herbs due to the fact that they have different volumes. An ounce of rose petals has way more volume than say, dandelion root.

You’ll need to measure your oil by liquid volume. This means a measuring cup for liquid.

Lastly, you’ll need 100 proof alcohol. In this case it should be vodka so it doesn’t impart flavor or color.

Why you ask? We’re using it as an intermediary solvent. The alcohol helps extract the chemical compounds in the herbs that we really want in a way that the oil on it’s own, can’t. Don’t worry, the amount used is small and it evaporates out by the end. My favorite book that explains this process is The Modern Herbal Dispensatory.

You can skip the alcohol but you won’t get as potent of an oil.

What you’ll need:

• Lavender flowers (Make sure they’re culinary or food grade. Don’t use the ones you find at a craft store)

• Fractionated or MCT Coconut oil

• 100 proof alcohol

• Clean glass jar with a lid. Large enough to hold all of the herb and oil

• Liquid measuring cup

• Kitchen scale

• Crockpot

• Sieve, coffee filters, or cheesecloth

This recipe is for 4 ounces of oil (This is typically the smallest batch I make). If you’d like to make 8 ounces, double the ingredients.

Day one: Place the Lavender in the clean glass jar. Add 1 ounce of alcohol. Stir really well. Make sure the Lavender is coated and moist. (If you hate that word, I’m sorry!)

The Lavender shouldn’t be saturated or super wet. There should be just enough alcohol to dampen it. If you need to add a touch more you can.

Screw the lid on and let sit for 24 hours. This gives the alcohol time to do its magic.

After 24 hours, add the oil. Give it a good stir.

Fill your crock pot with about an inch and a half of hot water. Set the temperature on low or keep warm if your crock pot has that option. We’re not trying to cook the oil. Just provide enough heat to extract the Lavender compounds.

Leave the lid off of the jar and set it in the crock pot water bath. It should be heavy enough that the jar doesn’t float in the water. If it does, remove some water from the crock pot.

Leave the lid off for an hour. This will allow the remaining alcohol to evaporate. After an hour, place the lid back on the jar. Let the oil sit in the water bath for 8-12 hours. Stir or shake it occasionally.

You may need to add more hot water to the crock pot to ensure there’s about an inch of water at all times. Don’t let the crock pot go dry.

After 8-12 hours your oil should be done. It should smell very fragrant and have absorbed color from the Lavender. The oil may be green, gray, brown, or light grayish blue depending on the color of the lavender flowers you used.

Strain the oil though a mesh sieve, use a coffee filter, or cheesecloth. Squeeze as much oil as you can from the Lavender. Just be careful if using a coffee filter, it can pop! Then you’ll have to restrain the oil. Decant the oil into a dark bottle such as amber boston rounds. Label and date. 

You’re magickal Lavender infused oil is now ready to use!