A Beautiful Garden Planted with Medicinal Plants is already very lovely. But what's even better is being able to enjoy it by making your own homemade "potions".

Among the easy-to-make preparations are plant oils. What are they? They involve macerating a plant in an oily base to extract fat-soluble active plant compounds. These macerated oils are typically used for cosmetic purposes, for skin and hair care, as well as in cooking and treatments.

This extraction technique for active compounds, though requiring some time and planning, is very easy to implement.

What You Need to Make a Plant-Based Oil

You probably already have all the necessary equipment in your kitchen:

  • A glass jar with a lid, sterilised beforehand and completely dry

Then for filtration:

  • A fine-mesh sieve
  • An additional sterilised container.

For ingredients, you'll simply need:

  • A dried plant of your choice. This can be a whole plant or a specific part (depending on which part contains the most active compounds). You can also macerate a mix of plants. Adjust the quantity based on your chosen container.
  • A vegetable oil, preferably virgin, cold-pressed, and organic.

And that’s it!

Making plant oils

The simple equipment needed to make plant oils

Now let’s move on to the actual process.

How to Make a Macerated Oil?

Choose the plant or plant mix you want to use for your oil. Note: the plant must be dry to avoid fermentation risks during maceration. If not, you’ll need to dry it first, which usually takes a few days.

  • Step 1: Maceration

Fill the clean, dry jar completely but without packing it too tightly, with your chosen plant or plant mix, leaving 1–2 cm from the rim. Don’t skimp on the plant quantity—this ensures a good concentration of active compounds.

Then cover with vegetable oil, making sure no plant pieces are exposed to air. Gently tap the jar to release any trapped air bubbles.

Seal the jar and let the mixture macerate for several weeks, typically 4–6, at room temperature. Some plants, like St. John’s Wort, benefit from sunlight exposure. For most others, keep the preparation away from direct sunlight.

During maceration, shake the jar occasionally to mix the contents well.

  • Step 2: Filtration

After several weeks, your oil will have taken on colour depending on the plant used. Now, all that’s left is to filter it. But first, sterilise the jar that will hold the oil to ensure proper preservation.

For filtration, pour the maceration through a fine sieve to remove all plant debris. If you don’t have one, you can use a coffee filter, muslin cloth, or even a stocking.

Press well to extract as much oil as possible.

Seal the jar and store it away from light and heat. Under these conditions, your preparation can last several months, up to 6 months.

The steps for making plant oils

Which Oil Should You Choose?

For macerated oils, opt for a stable oil—one that resists rancidity and has a neutral scent.

The most commonly used oil for this purpose is sunflower oil.

But other oils work just as well:

- Grape seed oil is excellent—its subtle scent and antioxidant properties make it a great choice.

- Olive oil has a stronger aroma but is still suitable.

- Sweet almond oil, though pricier, is particularly good for delicate skin.

Many oils can be used—explore their properties based on your needs.

For hair care, olive oil, sweet almond oil, or grape seed oil are often preferred.

Different oils can be used for macerated oils

  • How to Tell If an Oil Is Still Good?

Rancidity is the main issue. Before using your plant oil, smell it to check its condition. Adding vitamin E can extend its shelf life.

Which Plants to Use?

Macerated oils can be made from leaves, flowers, or even roots, depending on the active compounds you want to extract.

Here are some easy options:

  • Calendula oil, made from marigold flowers, is known for its soothing and healing properties for irritated skin.
  • Yarrow flowers also have healing benefits.
  • Plantain leaves are renowned for relieving itchiness, especially from nettle stings.
  • Old rose (Rosa gallica) is great for mature skin—its flowers may help prevent wrinkles and ageing.
  • Carrot root, rich in carotin, is often recommended for skincare.
  • Roman chamomile flowers may soothe irritation and reduce redness.
  • Arnica is famous for treating bruises and bumps.

Yarrow, Calendula, Rosa gallica, Arnica, and Lavender flowers

While these oils are great on their own, you can also create blends. For example, an oil with rosemary leaves, thyme, and lavender flowers might promote hair growth.

In short, the possibilities are endless. Give it a try!