Rosemary oil has an amazing range of uses, from the kitchen to haircare and skincare products. Here's how to make infused rosemary oil at home with minimal fuss, how to take advantage of its many benefits, and how to store it for maximized shelf life.
Jump to:
- What is rosemary oil good for?
- Using rosemary oil on your skin
- Rosemary infused oil ingredients and materials
- How to make DIY rosemary oil
- How to solar infuse rosemary oil
- 📖 Recipe
- How long does it take to make rosemary oil?
- How long does homemade rosemary oil last?
- How do you make rosemary oil last longer?
- Does homemade rosemary oil need to be refrigerated?
- Which is the best carrier oil for rosemary?
- 💬 Comments
What is rosemary oil good for?
Rosemary oil and extracts have a wide range of applications when used topically, ingested, or used in aromatherapy. Traditionally, rosemary has been used to relieve muscle pain, stomach aches, and fever, and to improve memory.
Now, there's research suggesting that rosemary in various forms can provide effective treatments for a variety of conditions and disorders:
Rosemary can also improve moods and protect against liver damage. Many studies have even found rosemary extracts to inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells.
Rosemary's antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties also make it well suited for more practical, daily uses. It's been found to:
- Inhibit the growth of oral bacteria that cause halitosis (chronic bad breath)
- Help heal wounds
- Fight yeast infections
- Protect skin against UV damage
These same properties are what make rosemary so beneficial for skin and hair. Being full of antioxidants means that rosemary extracts and oils are well suited to neutralize the free radicals responsible for skin damage. Rosemary's common use as an at-home hair treatment is also justified by the science-- rosemary extracts have repeatedly been found to promote hair growth.
Using rosemary oil on your skin
It's worth noting that rosemary essential oil and homemade rosemary oil aren't interchangeable; the essential oil is much more potent, has a longer shelf life, and is better suited for aromatherapy. The infused oil that this recipe makes is ideal for cooking, but it can also be used in homemade salves, added to lip balms, used as a massage oil, or used as a hair treatment.
If you plan to use rosemary oil on your skin (including on your scalp), be sure to either use an infused rosemary oil like this one or to mix rosemary essential oil with a carrier oil. Alternatively, consider another great infused oil for skin, like calendula oil, yarrow oil, or comfrey oil. Rosemary essential oil can cause skin irritation, so it's not recommended to apply it directly.
Read More: How to Make Whipped Body Butter
Rosemary infused oil ingredients and materials
Before you start, you'll need a cup of dried rosemary leaves and enough of your carrier oil to fully cover the leaves. Using a pint jar, that takes about 1 ¼ cups of oil. I like to use olive oil so that I can portion out some for cooking and some for homemade salves and balms.
Here are the ingredients and supplies that you'll need:
- Double boiler: Alternatively, you could use a small pot and a tempered glass or measuring cup
- Sieve and cheesecloth: Both are necessary to prevent any bits of rosemary leaves from getting into the finished oil and causing it to spoil prematurely. If using a new cheesecloth, be sure to wash it and let it dry first to remove the sizing.
- Dried rosemary: Even for heat infused oils, it's preferable to use dried rosemary, as it makes for a longer-lasting infused oil. Alternatively, you could simply combine rosemary essential oil and a carrier oil.
- Carrier oil: In this recipe I've used expeller pressed extra virgin olive oil, but you could also use coconut oil, sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, or grapeseed oil.
- Airtight glass container: Dark blue or amber apothecary jars (either with cork stoppers or with dropper lids) are ideal for storage, as they help the oil to last longer.
How to make DIY rosemary oil
Making your own rosemary oil is quick, involves minimal clean-up, and only takes two ingredients: dried rosemary leaves and a carrier oil. This can be done in an afternoon or even left overnight to infuse.
Here's how to make rosemary oil, step by step:
- Add your dried rosemary leaves and carrier oil to the top pot of a double boiler or a tempered glass container. The rosemary leaves will float, so don't worry about keeping them submerged, but do add more than enough oil to initially cover the leaves completely.
- Place the jar of oil in a pot of water without a lid on. Leaving a lid on can cause condensation to drip into the oil and speed up its expiration.
- Heat on low for two to four hours. The heat does need to stay low, so check back occasionally to make sure that the water and oil aren't too hot. (If you're measuring, a water temperature of around 110º is ideal.)
- Remove the jar from the water (or take the top pot off the double boiler) and let it sit to cool before straining through a cheesecloth.
- Store the oil in an airtight container and keep it somewhere cool and dark-- the fridge is ideal. There's no need to sterilize the container first, but it should be clean and dry. I like to use dark blue or amber apothecary jars when available, as they exclude the light that would otherwise cause the oil to degrade more quickly.
Read More: Easy Homemade Comfrey Oil Infusion
How to solar infuse rosemary oil
To make a solar infused rosemary oil, you'll need to use dried rosemary leaves. This can be done during the summer, after harvesting the rosemary and leaving it to dry, or during the winter using stores of dried rosemary.
The preparation for a solar infused oil is very similar to that of a heat infused oil, but you'll need to use more oil to ensure that there's no airspace for moisture to accumulate in. If you're using a pint-sized mason jar, I'd recommend using 1 ½ - 2 cups of dried rosemary and enough carrier oil to fill the jar.
With the lid screwed on tightly, the oil will need to sit in a warm, sunny spot to infuse for about a month. Best practice is to check on it every day or two and give it a gentle shake. Any moisture in the jar will encourage bacteria growth, so it's important to use only dried leaves for a solar infusion and to fill the jar with oil. This will help to prevent moisture from condensing in the warm, sealed jar.
After about a month, strain the rosemary through a cheesecloth and transfer to a clean, dry, airtight jar. Store in the refrigerator to extend the shelf life, and the oil should keep for at least two months.
📖 Recipe
DIY Rosemary Oil
Homemade infused rosemary oil is ideal for cooking, salves, lotions, and haircare-- and it couldn't be easier to make.
Ingredients
- 1 c. dried rosemary leaves
- 1 ½ c. carrier oil
Instructions
- Add rosemary leaves and carrier oil to a tempered glass jar (or to the top pot of a double boiler)
- Place jar in a pot of water (or onto the doubler boiler) and keep over low heat for 2-4 hours
- Remove from heat and let cool
- Strain through sieve and cheesecloth to remove rosemary leaves. Store in a dry, clean, airtight container and keep in the fridge. Should store for 2 months.
Notes
- Expeller pressed extra virgin olive oil and coconut oil are fantastic carrier oils for both cooking and salves or balms. For skincare use, sweet almond oil or jojoba oil are preferable.
- When heating the oil, do not put a lid on the jar, double boiler, or pot of water as this can introduce water to the oil and speed up expiration.
- Store the finished rosemary oil in the fridge for the longest shelf life. Otherwise, keep it somewhere cool and dark.
How long does it take to make rosemary oil?
Making rosemary oil over heat takes just a couple of hours, not including the time it takes to dry the rosemary leaves first. Making a solar infused rosemary oil can take about a month, plus the time needed to first dry the leaves.
Read More: How to Make Calendula Oil
How long does homemade rosemary oil last?
Rosemary oil made with fresh leaves will only last a couple of weeks, even after the leaves after strained out, and is best made in small batches. Rosemary oil infused with dried leaves can last two or three months, depending on how it's stored.
How do you make rosemary oil last longer?
Storing your infused oil in a clean, dry, airtight jar (ideally a dark apothecary bottle) and being careful not to introduce any moisture while making the oil will help it to last longer. It's also important to strain out the rosemary leaves; a jar of oil with fresh rosemary sprigs looks lovely, but it won't keep for very long at all.
Similarly, while it may be tempting to use fresh rosemary leaves, you'll have a much longer lasting oil if you wait a few days for the herb to dry out first. And finally, keeping the finished oil in a cool, dark place-- or the fridge-- will maximize its shelf life.
Does homemade rosemary oil need to be refrigerated?
Homemade rosemary oil can take a couple of weeks to spoil if it's left on the counter, so it doesn't need to be refrigerated in the same way that dairy or meat does. That said, exposure to light and heat will cause the oil to spoil more quickly. They also gradually degrade the antioxidants in oils, so you'll see fewer benefits from your rosemary oil the longer it's left in a sun-exposed spot.
If you're using the oil to cook with, consider either keeping it in the fridge or keeping a small amount on the counter while storing the larger portion in the fridge. If you're wanting to use rosemary oil for your hair, you'll get the most out of it by storing it in the fridge between uses.
Finally, homemade rosemary salve can keep for a year even when it's left out for extended periods during cool weather. If you're planning to use your rosemary oil in a salve, body scrub, or DIY chapstick, know that it will keep much longer once it's made into that final product.
Read More: How to Make a Sugar Scrub with Shea Butter
Which is the best carrier oil for rosemary?
Olive oil is a fantastic carrier oil for rosemary because it can be used for cooking and for skincare or haircare products. Coconut oil would also be a viable choice for all three uses, though it has a shorter shelf life and often needs to be melted before use.
If you plan to use rosemary oil for a salve, lip balm, or ointment, sweet almond oil might be your best option. Sweet almond oil is less comedogenic than other commonly used oils, so it's less likely to clog your pores, and it's also full of antioxidants that promote healthy skin.
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