An oil infusion is made by keeping botanical material in contact with an oil and then separating the solids. The process may use time, gentle heat or a combination of both.
What oil gathers
Oil favors constituents that dissolve in fats. Depending on the plant, these can include carotenoid pigments, some aromatic compounds and portions of its resinous chemistry.
Carotenoids are yellow, orange and red pigments. Their transfer into calendula preparations made with olive and sunflower oils provides one researched example of oil extraction.[1]
The base oil remains part of the finished ingredient. Its own composition and texture combine with the extracted botanical material, making the choice of oil part of the preparation.
In skincare and perfumery
Infused oils can become facial oils, body oils, balms or perfume ingredients. They differ from preparations made by adding essential oil to a base: the constituents are gathered through direct contact with the botanical material.
At Deschampsia, garden-grown chamomile and calendula are dried and stored for oil infusions used throughout the year.[2]
Related entries: Extraction & solubility; Water infusions & decoctions; Tinctures; Essential oils.
