WHMF121 Session Fourteen Infused Oils Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 1
Today s Topic o Infused oil: Digested Infused Oil Cold Maceration Method Warm Maceration Method o Definitions, advantages and disadvantages of these delivery methods as a dosage form o Prepare medicinal infused oils under lecturer supervision o Finish other manufacturing projects that are ready for further processing Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 2
Herb Infused Oils o Infused oils are medicinal oils made by macerating or digesting plant material in a suitable fixed oil for a certain length of time. o Digesting is the process of macerating at a temperature of around 40 degrees Celsius. o Not to be confused with Essential oils which are plant constituents, commonly extracted by steam distillation. o The most common oil soluble constituents are aromatic principles, volatile oils, resins and oleoresins Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 3
Herb Infused Oils Infused oils are medicinal oils made by macerating or digesting plant material in a suitable fixed oil for a certain length of time. Easy to prepare Can be emollient and protect the skin Fresh or dry herb can be used o Only for external/topical use (unless one is preparing culinary oils) o Used as they are or they can be blended into creams and ointments. o The fixed oil becomes the solvent it will absorb the therapeutic constituents & vitality of the herb Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 4
Herb Infused Oils - Advantages o Fresh or dry herbs can be used o Herbs can be combined to macerate together o Base oil can be varied depending on the plant, method or end use of the infused oil o Double maceration is possible o The equipment to make infused oils is inexpensive. o Of great importance is making sure that the herbs chosen are of the best quality possible Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 5
Herb Infused Oils - Disadvantages o Only oil soluble constituents will dissolve in fixed oils (e.g., fixed oils, resins, oleo-resins and aromatic principles) o Only for external / topical use (unless one is preparing culinary oils) o Infused oils easily spoil (go rancid) if exposed to light, moisture, heat or air. o Limited shelf-life about twelve months/one year. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 6
Herb Infused Oils - Rancidity o The main problem with oils is rancidity due to oxidation that produces volatile acids. Oils go rancid when exposed to heat, air, moisture or light. o These acids produce the sharp smell associated with rancid fats. Preservatives like Amiox improve product stability o Water (from fresh herbs) must be removed before storage. o Store oils in airtight brown bottles in cool, dark places. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 7
Herb Infused Oils Some oils are more stable than others and less prone to becoming rancid: e.g., olive, almond, grapeseed and sesame oil. Base oils are preferably organic and cold pressed If using fresh plant, allow the material to wilt for 24 hrs or longer if it seems too moist There maybe watery fluid left in the oil after pressing syphon the oil off and discard fluid as this will promote rancidity and fermentation and a rancid or fermented oil is useless. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 8
Infused Oils as Carriers The herb infused oils act as a therapeutic and carrier oil in your finished products, or when used on their own Other oils that can be considered for more delicate flowers and the cold method of infusing are; Sweet almond oil Apricot kernel oil Jojoba oil Do not use mineral petroleum based products. They are not nourishing Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 9
Other Carrier/Fixed Oils in Skin Care Going beyond the important and proven oils such as Olive, Grapeseed, Almond, Sesame and Sunflower Apricot Kernel: fine, light and non-dryng, suitable for all skin types especially sensitive, mature an dry skin Avocado: thick, rich and nourishing, great for dehydrated skin Coconut: great moisturizer for delicate areas such as the throat and eye area Jojoba: gives skin a smooth silky texture light and great for all skin types, it helps to balance the sebum production Rosehip: high in Vit. C, it helps to reduce scarring and repair damaged tissue, good for anti-aging Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 10
Basic Digested - Herb Infused Oil 1. Grind or finely chop the herb. This increases the efficacy of the extraction, however if the particle size is too small it may be difficult to filter all the plant material out of the oil afterwards. 2. Place the herb into a wide necked jar and cover with oil. Stir well to mix herb thoroughly through the herb, then add more oil so the herb is completely immersed under a 1cm layer of oil. This keeps the herb away from the air so inhibits the growth of mold. 3. Check after 24 hours to make sure that all the herb is still immersed. A layer of muslin can help to keep the herb below the surface if it has a tendency to float. Make sure the jar is labelled. 4. The jar can be warmed in the sunlight as long as it s covered so no light penetrates. Artificial heat can also be used (circa 40 degrees Celsius). Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 11
Basic Digested - Herb Infused Oil 5. Shake or rotate the jar regularly, at least once a day. 6. After 3-10 days check the colour of the oil. If you are not satisfied with extraction leave the oil to in infuse longer (up to 3 weeks). 7. When ready strain, press and filter the oil to remove all the plant matter. This is best done while the oil is still warm and less viscous. 8. Add sufficient Amiox into the settling jar, mix with some of the oil so that it is well dispersed before pouring the rest of the infused oil in. 9. Let the oil stand for a few days for further sediment that may fall to bottom then syphon off the oil and discard the sediment. 10. Bottle your infused oil in amber bottles, seal, label and store in a cool dark place. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 12
Video Fresh Plant Material o Please watch video on infused oil making using fresh plant material: http://youtu.be/g8ciale8soe Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 13
Cold Maceration Herb Infused Oil o This method is sometimes used for delicate plant parts like flowers. o Layer the herb between sheets of cotton wool or a very porous fabric and covering with oil. o Leave to macerate in a cool dark place for one month. o After this time lift the layered fabric and herb out of the oil and press to recover the oil. o Filter if necessary continue with steps 7-10 on slide 11 To calculate the strength of any infused oil weigh the herb before macerating it and measure how much oil is used to cover it 500g herb : 4L of oil - the strength is 1:8. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 14
Cold Maceration Herb Infused Oil o Stronger oils can be made by multiple maceration. o This involves putting a second lot of herb through the same oil. o The second maceration could use the same or a different herb. o Herbs can be mixed before macerating as well to get the action of different herbs in one infused oil. o Alternatively if a combination of actions is required different infused oils can be combined and used together. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 15
Warm Maceration Herb Infused Oil o This method is excellent if you are wanting faster results and are relying on herbs for their essential oil content. o It is also a good method for using dried herbs. (Smabs Sputzer, 2007, http://www.flickr.com/images/10413717@n08/6825479819/ ) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 16
Warm Maceration Herb Infused Oil 1. Place dry herb in a small saucepan. 2. Cover with a suitable oil i.e. one which does not oxidise with heating such as olive oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil. 3. Gently warm on the stove, slowly simmering until the oil has taken on the colour of the herb. 4. Remove from heat and strain. 5. Add Amiox into jar, mix well. Pour herbal oil into jar. 6. Label clearly and store in a dark glass container. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 17
Video Warm Maceration o Please watch the video on using sand baths to macerate infused oils: http://youtu.be/oe-drdmjkt8 Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 18
Suitable Herbs for Infused Oils Stellaria media (Chickweed) The whole plant makes a green oil. It must be harvested in spring and used fresh. Good for itchy skin conditions. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/stellaria_media) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 19
Suitable Herbs for Infused Oils Calendula officinalis (Calendula) The flower heads can be used fresh or dried to make a rich golden oil. Good for wound healing. (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/file:calendula_ Officinalis_fax01.JPG) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 20
Suitable Herbs for Infused Oils Verbascum thapsus (Mullein) Only the fresh flowers are used to make the infused oil. Good for ear infections. Other types of extracts are made from the leaves. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/file:starr_040723-0267_verbascum_thapsus.jpg Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 21
Suitable Herbs for Infused Oils Hypericum perforatum (St John s wort) Only the flowers are used for infused oils and are best used fresh. This oil is an exception to the rule and should be macerated in direct sunlight. If fresh flowers are used the oil will turn red with exposure to sunlight. Good for burns and wounds. (Chilton, n.d., http://www.flickr.com/images/stev e_chilton/2708291976/) Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 22
Infusing Hypericum perforatum Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 23
Warm Maceration of Calendula officinalis Ingredients (per pair): o 60g dried Calendula flowers o 500 600mL of vegetable oil Method: o Place chop herb & place with oil into a bowl o Place the bowl over a saucepan of simmering water (water bath) o Stir occasionally until the oil has taken on the colour of the herb 20 30 minutes o Remove from heat and allow to infuse until cool then press, strain & filter. o Add Amiox to sterilized jars, mix in a little of the strained oil o Fill bottle with infused oil, label clearly, store in a dark glass container. Check for sediment in one week. o This infused oil will be used for the creams and ointments sessions Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 24
Tutorial Session Practical Session: o Break into working groups o Make a warm maceration of dried Calendula o Make a cold maceration of dried Lavander Check on Glycetracts, Tinctures, Extracts Press, filter & finish any preparations from past weeks that are ready Videos for how to press oils Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 25
Preparation for next week o Read through your textbook pages 60-67 in preparation for the lecture. o Read through your slides for Session 16 oxymels, syrups and lozenges Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 26
Video Pressing Infused Oils o Please watch the video on how to press infused oils: http://youtu.be/r2mo6-gpu1e Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 27
Suggested Readings British Herbal Medicine Association. (1996). British herbal pharmacopoeia (4 th ed.). Bristol, UK: British Herbal Medicine Association. Fenner, B. (1888). Fenner s complete formulary and hand-book (6 th ed.). New York, USA: B. Fenner. Retrieved from https://archive.org/details/fennerscompletef00fenn Green J. (2000). The herbal medicine-maker s handbook: A home manual (pp. 105-115). NY: Crossing Press. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 28
References Adams, J., & Tan, E. (2006). Herbal manufacturing: How to make medicines from plants. Melbourne, Australia: Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE. Endeavour College of Natural Health endeavour.edu.au 29
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