INFUSE YoUr oWn

If you’re overloaded with frozen and dried herbs, try creating some infused oils, which can be used to create salves, lip balms and soaps.

Fill a jar one-quarter to one-half full with dried herbs, then pour in sunflower or olive oil almost to the top of the jar. Cover and store in a sunny spot for about four weeks, shaking occasionally. Strain and rebottle in a clean, sterile jar. This infused oil will stay fresh for approximately nine months to a year, depending on the quality and freshness of oil used.

USE IT

Salve: To make a salve, pour 1⁄ cup

2 infused oil into a heat-proof container, such as a Mason jar or recycled tin can. Add about 2 tablespoons of beeswax, and set the container down into a saucepan containing a few inches of water. Place the pan on medium-low heat until the beeswax melts, and remove from heat. Add about 10 to 20 drops of essential oil if desired, then pour into tins or a small glass jar.

Herbal oils that make great salves include:

• lavender (soothes skin and relaxes before

bedtime);

• mint (rub on temples and neck for head

ache and muscle tension);

• calendula (all-purpose skin softener, useful for scrapes and bug bites; can be used on a dog’s hot spots and chafed nose); and

• cayenne (for sore muscles, arthritis and

nerve pain).

Lip Balm: Lip balm is made similarly to a salve, but only use 3 tablespoons oil to 1 tablespoon beeswax. For flavor, add eight to 10 drops of an essential oil, such as peppermint or spearmint.

Herbal oils that work well in lip balm include:

• lemon balm (which helps fight cold sores); • calendula; and

• violet leaves (smooth chapped, dry lips).

Soap: You can replace the olive oil in any soap recipe with your favorite infused oil. Calendula, plantain, lavender, lemon balm, chamomile and violet leaf infused oils make lovely additions to soap.