Herbal Infused Oils: Making Magical Oils at Home

9. november 2025

Herbal infused oils are one of the most versatile and powerful tools in magical herbalism. These oils capture the essence, energy, and magical properties of plants in a stable, long-lasting form that can be used for anointing candles, dressing spell ingredients, ritual baths, massage, or simply wearing as a magical perfume. Unlike essential oils (which require distillation equipment), infused oils are easy to make at home with just herbs, carrier oil, and time.

When you create an herbal infused oil, you're not just extracting the plant's physical compounds—you're capturing its spirit, its magic, its energetic signature. Each time you use that oil, you're working with the plant's power in concentrated form. Whether you're making protection oil with rosemary, love oil with rose petals, or prosperity oil with basil and cinnamon, you're creating a potent magical tool infused with your intention.

This comprehensive guide reveals everything you need to know to make powerful magical oils at home, from choosing herbs and carrier oils to infusion methods, storage, and magical applications. You'll learn both traditional and modern techniques, plus recipes for essential magical oils every witch should have in their apothecary.

What Are Herbal Infused Oils?

Herbal infused oils (also called macerated oils or herbal oils) are made by steeping herbs in carrier oil to extract their beneficial compounds and magical properties. The oil acts as a solvent, drawing out the plant's fat-soluble constituents, color, scent, and energy.

Infused Oils vs. Essential Oils

Infused Oils:

Made by steeping herbs in carrier oil
Easy to make at home
Gentle, can be used directly on skin
Subtle scent
Contains plant material's energy and properties
Affordable

Essential Oils:

Made through steam distillation or cold pressing
Require specialized equipment
Highly concentrated, must be diluted
Strong scent
Expensive
Not all plants yield essential oils

For magical purposes, infused oils are often more powerful because they contain the whole plant's energy, not just the volatile compounds.

Choosing Your Carrier Oil

The carrier oil is the base that extracts and holds the herb's properties. Choose based on your needs and the oil's magical correspondences.

Best Carrier Oils for Magic

Olive Oil
Properties: Peace, protection, healing, spirituality
Shelf life: 1-2 years
Best for: All-purpose magical oils, especially protection and healing
Notes: Strong scent, may overpower delicate herbs

Sweet Almond Oil
Properties: Prosperity, wisdom, love
Shelf life: 1 year
Best for: Love oils, prosperity oils, gentle skin application
Notes: Light, pleasant scent; good for most herbs

Jojoba Oil
Properties: Beauty, love, money
Shelf life: 2+ years (very stable)
Best for: Long-term storage, beauty magic, anointing oils
Notes: Technically a wax; very stable; expensive but worth it

Grapeseed Oil
Properties: Fertility, abundance, mental clarity
Shelf life: 6 months - 1 year
Best for: Light, quick-absorbing oils
Notes: Neutral scent; can go rancid faster

Sunflower Oil
Properties: Success, happiness, vitality, solar magic
Shelf life: 1 year
Best for: Solar magic, success oils, happiness spells
Notes: Affordable, readily available

Coconut Oil (Fractionated)
Properties: Purification, protection, spirituality
Shelf life: 2+ years
Best for: Purification oils, tropical/lunar magic
Notes: Stays liquid (unlike regular coconut oil); very stable

Oils to Avoid

Mineral oil: Petroleum-based, no magical properties
Vegetable oil blends: Unknown composition, often rancid quickly
Scented oils: Synthetic fragrance interferes with herb's energy

Choosing Your Herbs

Select herbs based on your magical intention. See our Herb Magic Correspondences Guide for detailed properties.

Fresh vs. Dried Herbs

Dried Herbs (Recommended):

Safer—no water content to cause mold or rancidity
More concentrated
Longer shelf life in oil
Easier to work with

Fresh Herbs (Advanced):

More vibrant energy
Beautiful color
BUT: Water content can cause mold and spoilage
Must be wilted first (leave out 12-24 hours to reduce moisture)
Higher risk of rancidity

For beginners, use dried herbs. Once you're experienced, experiment with wilted fresh herbs.

Best Herbs for Infused Oils

Easy & Effective:

Lavender - Peace, love, sleep
Rosemary - Protection, purification
Calendula - Healing, legal matters
Rose petals - Love, beauty
Chamomile - Peace, money
Mint - Prosperity, energy
Basil - Money, love, protection

Method 1: Solar Infusion (Traditional)

The classic method using sun's energy to extract plant properties.

What You Need

Clean, dry glass jar with tight lid
Dried herbs
Carrier oil
Cheesecloth or fine strainer
Dark glass bottle for storage
Label

Step-by-Step Instructions

Fill jar 1/2 to 3/4 full with dried herbs (don't pack too tightly)
Pour carrier oil over herbs until completely covered (at least 1 inch above herbs)
Stir gently to release air bubbles
Cap tightly
Label with herb name, oil type, and date
Place in sunny window (south-facing ideal)
Shake daily for 4-6 weeks
Check weekly for mold or off smell (if present, discard)
After 4-6 weeks, strain through cheesecloth
Squeeze cheesecloth to extract all oil
Pour into dark glass bottle
Label and date
Store in cool, dark place

Best For

Solar herbs (rosemary, calendula, St. John's wort), traditional practice, when you have time

Timing

Start during waxing moon for oils of attraction/increase

Start during waning moon for oils of banishing/decrease

Full moon to full moon (one lunar cycle) is traditional

Method 2: Lunar Infusion

Same as solar infusion, but using moon's energy instead of sun.

Instructions

Follow solar infusion method, but:

Place jar in moonlight instead of sunlight
Especially powerful during full moon
Best for lunar herbs (jasmine, mugwort, willow)
Can take longer (6-8 weeks)

Method 3: Heat Infusion (Quick Method)

Faster method using gentle heat. Ready in hours instead of weeks.

Double Boiler Method

Fill jar with herbs and oil as in solar method
Place jar in pot of water (water should come halfway up jar)
Heat on lowest setting for 3-5 hours
Keep water barely simmering (not boiling)
Check water level and add more as needed
Let cool completely
Strain and bottle

Slow Cooker Method

Place herbs in slow cooker
Cover with oil
Set to lowest/warm setting
Heat for 4-8 hours
Stir occasionally
Let cool, strain, bottle

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Fast (hours vs. weeks)
Good for immediate needs
Works in any climate

Cons:

Heat can destroy some delicate compounds
Less traditional/magical
Requires monitoring
Risk of overheating

Straining and Bottling

Straining

Line strainer with cheesecloth (double layer)
Pour oil through into clean bowl
Gather cheesecloth and squeeze to extract all oil
Let settle for a few hours if any sediment appears
Pour carefully into storage bottles, leaving sediment behind

Bottling

Best containers:

Dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt blue)
Dropper bottles for anointing oils
Roller bottles for personal wear
Larger bottles for bath oils

Always label with:

Herb(s) used
Carrier oil
Date made
Magical intention/use

Charging and Consecrating Your Oils

Enhance your oil's magical power:

During Creation

Set clear intention while making oil
Speak affirmations or incantations over the jar
Visualize the oil glowing with your intended energy
Add corresponding crystals to jar while infusing (remove before use)

After Straining

Moonlight: Place under full moon overnight
Sunlight: Place in sun for a few hours (solar oils only)
Crystal grid: Place bottle in center of crystal grid
Smoke: Pass through incense smoke
Sound: Use singing bowl or chanting
Reiki or energy work: Channel energy into the oil

Storage and Shelf Life

Proper Storage

Cool, dark place (cabinet, not windowsill)
Tightly capped to prevent oxidation
Away from heat sources
Dark glass bottles protect from light

Shelf Life

Depends on carrier oil:

Jojoba: 2+ years
Olive: 1-2 years
Sweet almond: 1 year
Grapeseed: 6 months - 1 year

Signs oil has gone bad:

Rancid smell (like old crayons or paint)
Cloudy appearance
Mold (if water got in)
Off color

Extend shelf life:

Add vitamin E oil (natural preservative)
Store in refrigerator (some oils may solidify but will reliquefy)
Use dried herbs only
Ensure all equipment is completely dry

How to Use Magical Oils

Anointing Candles

Rub oil on candle from center outward (for attraction) or outward to center (for banishing)

Dressing Spell Ingredients

Anoint crystals, charms, talismans, petition papers with corresponding oil

Personal Wear

Apply to pulse points, third eye, or chakras as magical perfume

Ritual Baths

Add 1-2 tablespoons to bath water

Massage

Use for magical massage or self-anointing

Altar Offerings

Offer to deities or spirits

Tool Consecration

Anoint magical tools to consecrate and charge them

Doorways and Thresholds

Anoint doorframes for protection or blessing

Essential Magical Oil Recipes

Protection Oil

Herbs: Rosemary, basil, bay leaf, black pepper
Carrier: Olive oil
Method: Solar infusion
Uses: Anoint doors, windows, self; add to protection spells

Love Oil

Herbs: Rose petals, lavender, yarrow, basil
Carrier: Sweet almond oil
Method: Solar or lunar infusion
Uses: Love spells, self-love rituals, attraction magic

Prosperity Oil

Herbs: Basil, mint, cinnamon, bay leaf
Carrier: Sunflower or jojoba oil
Method: Solar infusion
Uses: Money spells, anoint wallet, business success

Psychic Power Oil

Herbs: Mugwort, lavender, bay leaf, star anise
Carrier: Jojoba oil
Method: Lunar infusion
Uses: Anoint third eye, divination tools, dream work

Healing Oil

Herbs: Calendula, lavender, rosemary, chamomile
Carrier: Olive or sweet almond oil
Method: Solar infusion
Uses: Healing rituals, anointing, massage

Purification Oil

Herbs: Sage, rosemary, lavender, lemon peel
Carrier: Coconut or olive oil
Method: Solar infusion
Uses: Cleansing rituals, space clearing, purification baths

Safety Considerations

Skin Application

Patch test first: Apply small amount to inner wrist, wait 24 hours
Some herbs cause photosensitivity: Avoid sun after applying citrus oils
Avoid during pregnancy: Some herbs are contraindicated
Not for internal use: These are for external/magical use only

Fire Safety

Oils are flammable—keep away from open flames
When anointing candles, use sparingly
Never leave heat infusions unattended

Allergies

Know your allergies before using
Nut allergies: avoid almond oil
Plant allergies: avoid those herbs

Your Magical Oil Practice

Making herbal infused oils is a beautiful, meditative practice that connects you deeply with plant allies. Each batch you make carries your intention, the plant's magic, and the time and care you invested.

Start with one simple oil—perhaps protection oil with rosemary, or love oil with rose. Learn the process, develop your technique, then expand your apothecary.

Your magical oils are tools of transformation, ready to support your spells, rituals, and spiritual practice. Made with your own hands and charged with your intention, they're more powerful than anything you could purchase.

Continue Your Herbal Magic Journey

Explore more herbal magic techniques:

Magical Herbalism Complete Guide
Herb Magic Correspondences
How to Dry Herbs for Magic
Herbal Tea Magic: Brewing Intentions into Every Cup
Herbal Sachets: Sleep, Protection & Love Recipes

Your magical oil apothecary awaits. The plants are ready to share their essence with you.

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