DIY Homemade Red Clover Infused Oil Plus Benefits and Uses
Learn how to make this homemade red clover infused oil and the many uses and benefits of the oil made from red clover. This infused oil can be used alone or in DIY beauty recipes to get the benefits of red clover for natural skin care recipes.
This infused oil recipe is made with very simple ingredients, a combination of dried red clover and your choice of carrier oil. The oil is nourishing for the skin, you can use a variety of oils, including coconut oil, sunflower oil, and more. The wonderful part is that you can customize your oil for specific issues by infusing your oil with the plants of your choosing.
Infused Oils
Infused oils are not the same thing as essential oils.
Essential oils are made by steam distilling the plant’s flowers or leaves, which results in a highly concentrated oil. This process is complex and requires a lot of plant material. Essential oils are very potent and should be diluted before use.
In contrast, infused oils, also called extract, are made by soaking plant’s flowers or leaves in a carrier oil to infuse its flavor and properties. This method is simpler and involves straining out the plant material after infusing. My many salve and lotion bar recipes involve making an infused oil.
This red clover oil can be used for so many skin benefits as discussed below. I used red clover oil to make red clover salve and red clover lotion bars.
Making your own skincare products from flowers, herbs and other medicinal plants and weeds is a fun beneficial activity. This infused oil made from red clover has many benefits!
Another great reason to make your own red clover oil and salves, lotion bars and other DIY skin care items is that store-bought skincare products contain synthetic fragrances, harsh preservatives, and other harmful chemicals that can irritate sensitive skin and contribute to long-term health concerns. Plus making your own red clover oil and other skin care items is easy to do and much more affordable than store-bought skin care products.
Benefits of Red Clover for the Skin
Red clover can possibly provide benefits to the skin which are discussed in this article 5 Ways Red Clover Rejuvenates Your Skin. The benefits for the skin which are discussed, include anti-aging properties, wound healing, alleviation of acne, improvement in circulation, and reduction in the size of pores.
This article by National Library of science states “Isoflavonoid compounds from red clover (Trifolium pratense) protect from inflammation and immune suppression induced by UV radiation.”
The beautiful blossoms of the red clover make an outstanding nourishing oil that, by increasing collagen production, improves the elasticity of your skin and reduces wrinkles. Its anti-inflammatory properties can also help with eczema or psoriasis.
How to Make a Red Clover Infused Oil
The first step is to pick the red clover blossoms. Dried red clover blossoms can also be purchased here.
Next is to dry the fresh flowers. The drying process can include air drying by spreading them in a single layer on a dish towel or paper towel and letting them dry for several days. The other option is to use a dehydrator set at a low setting.
The next step is to make an infused oil with the dried flower or herb by steeping the flower or herb in a carrier oil. Different kind of oils can be used including sweet almond oil, safflower oil, avocado oil, sweetgrass oil, olive oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil or coconut oil.
Add the dried red clover blossoms to a glass jar. I like to use a mason jar.
Add about twice as much oil as your dried red clover. For example, you can add the dried red clover to a pint jar about halfway and then fill the jar almost to the top. If you want less, you can fill the jar about 1/4 up with flowers and then 1/2 way with oil.
There are several options for making the infused oil:
Slow option: Just add the lid to the jar and put it away in a cabinet for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the jar every once in a while. You can also put the jar in direct sunlight for a couple weeks to infuse the oil.
Fast double boiler method: Place the jar in a saucepan of a couple inches of hot water and heat the water on low for about 2 hours.
Fast crockpot method: Add your dried herbs or flowers and oil to the crockpot, make sure that the oil covers the herbs. Heat the oil slowly and keep the crockpot on warm. Try to keep the temp between 120-130 F. Let it heat for several hours.
Enjoy!
Enjoy your homemade red clover oil that has so many benefits and uses. It is wonderful to make your own skincare items that do not have preservatives and chemicals. Plus it saves money!
More Great Recipes and Simple Homestead Information
For more of my DIY skin care recipes, favorite recipes and canning recipes, plus posts about other homestead-type activities, such as gardening and raising chickens, go to my website at www.HawkPointHomestead.com. For updates, please follow my Facebook page at Hawk Point Hobby Homestead.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only. It should not be seen as medical or any other advice. I am not a medical expert so individual precautions should be considered.
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Homemade Red Clover Infused Oil Recipe
Learn how to make this homemade red clover infused oil and the many uses and benefits of the oil made from red clover. This infused oil can be used alone or in DIY beauty recipes to get the benefits of red clover for natural skin care recipes.
Ingredients
- Dried Red Clover Blossoms
- Carrier Oil, which can include sweet almond oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil
Instructions
1. To make the red clover infused-oil recipe, the first step is to pick the red clover blossoms.
- Slow infusion method: Just add the lid to the jar and put it away in a dark place for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the jar every once in a while. You can also put the jar in direct sunlight for a couple weeks to infuse the oil.
- Fast double boiler method: Place the jar in a saucepan of a couple inches of hot water and heat the water on low for about 2 hours. Or add the oil and dried herbs or flowers to a double boiler pan and let it simmer but not boil for 1 to 2 hours.
- Fast crockpot method: Add your dried herbs or flowers and oil to the crockpot, make sure that the oil covers the herbs. Heat the oil slowly and keep the crockpot on warm. Try to keep the temp between 120-130 F. Let it heat for several hours
- When done infusing, the dried red clover blossoms can be strained out and oil kept in a glass jar.
2. The second step is to dry the red clover blossoms. The drying process can include air drying by spreading the red clover in a single layer on a dish towel or paper towel and letting them dry for several days. The other option is to use a dehydrator set at a low setting to dry.
3. Dried Red Clover Blossoms can also be purchased dried red clover
3. The next step to make a red clover infused-oil is to steep the dried red clover blossoms in a carrier oil over a period of time. As the dried red clover blossoms infuse in the oil (later strained), the natural essential oils in the flowers are drawn out and into the carrier oil.
4. Add the dried red clover blossoms to a glass jar. I like to use a pint mason jar.
5. Add about twice as much oil as your dried red clover blossoms. For example, you can add the dried red clover blossoms to a pint jar about halfway and then fill the jar almost to the top. If you want less, you can fill the jar about 1/4 up with flowers and then 1/2 way with oil.
6. There are several options for making the oil infusion:
