How to Make St John’s Wort Infused Oil
Since moving to South Australia I have never been so happy to be able to have a beautiful garden where I can grow, organically, the herbs I use in many of my products. I purchased 2 small St John’s Wort plants from a wonderful place in McLarenvale called Hillside Herbs, they have so many different herbs that I feel like a kid in a candy shop when I go there. The plants are now in their second year of growth and it has finally gifted me with beautiful golden, yellow flowers. Now it is time to make some St John’s Wort infused oil. St John’s Wort – Hypericum perforatum, has been used in Herbal Medicine for centuries and has many medicinal properties. St John’s Wort Infused Oil is used topically and is one of the most amazing wound-healers. It can also be used for nerve pain such as shingles or for strains, joint pain, headaches, and back pain, just rub the oil into the skin, in the area that needs treating. I also apply externally to swollen glands and sunburn.
Here are the instructions for making St John’s Wort Infused Oil so you can make some yourself but if you do not have the time or the place to grow St John’s Wort you may purchase the infused oil here.
Instructions:
- Collect the flowers early in the morning, making sure they are not wet or covered in insects. Place them in a clean, clear jar that has a lid. I collect all the flowers from the plant and the next day I keep collecting and adding to the jar until it is full. I do not dry the flowers but infuse them fresh.
2. After placing the flowers into the jar I pour over the oil of your choice until the jar is about an inch from the top. I make two different types, one with Organic Olive Oil and the other with Organic Sweet Almond Oil. I leave the gap at the top so that I can fit more flowers into the jar, over the next couple of days. Label your jar with the name of the plant and date bottled.
3. Allow the jar to sit in a sunny position, with a secure lid, for at least 2 weeks. In this time you will notice that the oil turns a deep red. St Johns wort infused oil is the only infused oil that you expose to the sun, all other herbal infused oils are covered with a paper bag to keep light out.
4. Now strain the oil out of the jar into a container and allow to sit until the oil sits on top of the water. The water is from the fresh flowers and if allowed to stay in the oil it will make it go rancid. You will then carefully spoon off the oil leaving the water behind.
5. You can now bottle your St John’s Wort Oil in an amber glass bottle and keep in a cool dark place. I also add a couple of milliliters of Natural Vitamin E oil to extend the lifespan of my oils. Your oil should last at least 1 year and I have had oil that is still beautiful after 2 to 3 years.
Disclaimer: At Byron Botanicals we do not diagnose disease or illness. We offer products or consultations that may assist in your health and lifestyle but only after you have had advice from your doctor or specialist. Should you have any unknown symptoms, speak to your doctor or specialist first. We make no healing claims about the products offered by our website.
