Guest guest Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 I had to toss 2 infused oils today that I had just started last Monday and I'm wondering what happened. I let the plant material wilt for a day. I used olive oil. I checked every leaf for signs of mold or insect. The only thing I had noticed (I might not have used enough oil) that when I shook the bottle, the herbs did not settle back underneath the oil. Any suggestions? I usually make infused oils from dried materials, so this is a big experiment anyway, but I'd like to make it work. j --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.489 / Virus Database: 288 - Release 6/10/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 8, 2003 Report Share Posted July 8, 2003 I had to toss 2 infused oils today that I had just started last Monday and I'm wondering what happened. I let the plant material wilt for a day. I used olive oil. I checked every leaf for signs of mold or insect. The only thing I had noticed (I might not have used enough oil) that when I shook the bottle, the herbs did not settle back underneath the oil. Any suggestions? The way I learned is to put as much herbs as jar will hold and then pour oil over the lot, right up to the brim of the jar. Cover and place in a dark area for at least 6 weeks. You do not leave any spacing in jar. This has worked for me and I do lots of infused oils. When you decamp the oil let sit for 24 hours and remove the clear oil, leaving any seditment in the bottom of the jar, if any water remaided, it will collect there, discarb the seditment. Store in a dark, cool place. I have had oils done this way keep well for over 2yrs. Karleen j --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.489 / Virus Database: 288 - Release 6/10/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 9, 2003 Report Share Posted July 9, 2003 J, Sorry to hear you had to toss those out. I was taught for oil infustions to only used the dried material. Otherwise some moisuture will be with the oil. You don't want any moisture in your oil, or you have like lotions without a perservative. oil + water = mold Did you know some distillers actually dry the eo after they make it to make sure their isn't any mosture in there? FWIW, David Roman SBC DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 10, 2003 Report Share Posted July 10, 2003 So is there no such thing as a fresh plant oil infusion? Not to be argumentative, but, how is a red St. John's Wort oil infusion made? I know for a fact that when you use dried St. John's Wort material, the oil never turns red. How wilted or dry does the plant material have to be? Or does the infusion need to be cooked???? True, this time I was using plantain, but the plantain experiment was leading up to the St. John's Wort experiment. So many questions....I try to be so careful, and I try to do the required research..... j > I was taught for oil infustions to only used the dried material. Otherwise some moisuture will be with the oil. You don't want any moisture in your oil, or you have like lotions without a perservative. > > oil + water = mold > David Roman --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.498 / Virus Database: 297 - Release 7/8/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 11, 2003 Report Share Posted July 11, 2003 J There are two schools of thought about infused oils. One is with fresh herbs and one with dry herbs only. I come from the first group, for the simple reason that I believe that you get the most medicinal properties from the fresh plant. You do need to follow several extra steps when using fresh plant material. Always pick the plants on a sunny dry day, well after the dew has dried. Usually around mid morning or late afternoon, early evening. Make sure the jar you are using is completely dried. Chop the fresh material and fill the jar loosely, then slowly pour oil over the herbs right to the rim. I then use a wooden stick to make sure all air bubbles are out and add more oil if necessary. Cover and place in a dark place for six weeks. Do not recommend sitting the oil in a sunny spot as heat will cause condensation, providing the proper moist environment for growth of mold. Make sure there is no head room in jar because any exposed plant material will mold. Decant after six weeks by slowly pouring out the oil into a glass jar leaving behind any sediment. Let this sit overnight to allow any water, if any, to settle to the bottom. Then carefully pour out or siphon off the oil, leaving any water behind. Keep in a dark area and oil should keep well for several years. I also only use Olive oil and organic if I can get it. With this method used, I have not experienced any problem with mold or with the oil going rancid. Oh, and by the way I have done this method with Plantain and have had no problems..Beautiful green oil. With St Johns worth, I will sometimes place it in a sunny area for several hours, but most times I find this is not necessary. And only after it has been infused for several weeks. I hope this helps. As I said there are two schools of thought and you will have to decide which is best for you... Good luck either way you go. Karleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 13, 2003 Report Share Posted July 13, 2003 Let me ask this: The residue, the gunk at the bottom of the bottle, is that the place that diminishes shelf life? My tinctures sometimes have that residue, and I have not filtered it out, thinking that the residue was part of the tincture, making the tincture stronger. Would it be worst to go back and filter the residue out especially when some of the tinctures are a year or more old and have not been opened. I remember vaguely reading about herbs in alcohol oxidizing after a certain amount of time, but when I do research, I tend to look for more than one reference on a subject and I had only seen this one. But then, I mainly make my tinctures from dried herb. The fresh plant material in oil is part of my continuing fascination with herbs. Coffee filters are wayyyyy to slow to filter through, though, I have had some success using tea bag paper. Would anyone know where to get a small amount of tea bag paper? j SJW oil is one of the few that does well in the 'fresh' method. Perhaps this is because of the antibacterial properties in the herb, and the leaf properties (see below)? One of life's mysteries. Still, you have to be careful with SJW, make sure you decant off all the residual gunk and water in the bottom of the jar, etc. --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.498 / Virus Database: 297 - Release 7/9/03 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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