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Herbalism

What herbal infusion really means

It’s the oldest step in herbal skin care, and the slowest part of making every Moon Mother Wellness balm. Here’s how it works, and how to try it at home.

5 min read Jars of herbs infusing in oil

You already know how to make an infusion. If you’ve ever steeped a bag of chamomile in hot water, you’ve done it: you let a plant sit in a liquid until the liquid takes on some of the plant’s character, its color, its scent and more.

An herbal oil works the same way. The only difference is the liquid. Instead of water, the herbs soak in oil, and instead of a few minutes, they soak for weeks.

Why oil instead of water?

Plants hold many different natural compounds. Some dissolve easily in water, which is why tea tastes and smells the way it does. Others dissolve much better in oil: many of a plant’s aromatic and resinous parts, along with some of its natural pigments. An oil infusion gathers those oil-loving parts into a form that can be smoothed onto skin, and a balm needs an oil base to begin with.

That’s why every Moon Mother Wellness balm starts not with a pinch of dried herbs stirred into wax, but with a carefully infused oil.

Infused herbs vs. essential oils

Our labels list both, and they’re often confused. They are related, but they are not the same thing.

Infused herbs

What it isWhole dried herbs steeped in a carrier oil, then strained out.
How it’s madeSlowly, over weeks, with time doing the work.
StrengthGentle and well rounded.
In our balmsThe foundation of every jar.

Essential oils

What it isHighly concentrated aromatic oils drawn from plants.
How it’s madeUsually by steam distillation, using large amounts of plant material.
StrengthVery potent. A few drops go a long way.
In our balmsAdded at the very end, mostly for scent.

Together, they give each balm its depth: the infused herbs bring a soft, whole-plant character, and a small amount of essential oil brings the scent you notice when you open the jar.

How we infuse at Moon Mother Wellness

Our method is the slow, traditional one, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

  1. 1Blend the herbs for each balmWe start with certified organic dried herbs and combine them by balm: lavender, chamomile, passionflower, mugwort and hops for Dream, for example, or calendula, plantain, comfrey and St. John’s wort for Skin.
  2. 2Cover them in organic jojoba oilEach herb blend goes into its own vessel and is covered completely in organic jojoba oil, which is light, silky and closely resembles the natural oils of your skin.
  3. 3Wait. Patiently.The herbs steep at room temperature for more than 30 days. No heat, no shortcuts. Just time, letting the oil slowly take on the character of the plants.
  4. 4Strain out the plant matterOnce the infusion is ready, we strain out every bit of herb, leaving a clear, fragrant oil.
  5. 5Blend, scent and pourThe infused oil is blended with melted beeswax, cocoa butter and mango butter, finished with a few drops of essential oils, and poured into jars and tins in small batches.

A month or more for a single batch is a long time in a world that likes everything fast. But slow is the point. It’s how herbalists have made infused oils for generations, and it’s the part of our process we’re proudest of.

Why our balms are four shades of butter yellow

Some herbs are famous for the colors they give oil. Fresh St. John’s wort can turn oil a deep ruby red, and fresh calendula can make it glow orange. Because we infuse dried herbs, and then blend the oil with golden beeswax and creamy butters, our balms don’t take on those bold colors. Instead, each one settles into its own soft shade of yellow, a quiet fingerprint of the herbs inside.

Wise Woman Comfort Balm. The brightest, a sunny butter yellow.
Dream Balm. The palest, a soft lemon-butter yellow.
Skin Balm. A mellow yellow, like softened butter.
Muscle Balm. The deepest, a rich golden yellow with a hint of honey.

Because each batch is made from real plants, the shade can shift slightly from batch to batch. We think that’s part of the charm.

Dream, Muscle, Wise Woman Comfort and Skin balms lined up on a stone slab with lavender, calendula, rose and arnica

Try it at home: a simple calendula oil

Want to see infusion in action? Calendula is one of the easiest and most beautiful herbs to start with.

  1. 1Gather your suppliesA clean, completely dry glass jar with a lid, dried calendula flowers and a mild oil such as jojoba, sunflower or olive oil.
  2. 2Fill the jarFill the jar about halfway with dried calendula, loosely packed.
  3. 3Cover with oilPour oil over the flowers until they are fully covered by about an inch. Stir gently to release any air bubbles, then seal the lid.
  4. 4Let it steepSet the jar somewhere at room temperature, away from direct heat, for four to six weeks. Give it a gentle shake every day or two.
  5. 5Strain and storeStrain the oil through a cheesecloth or fine strainer, squeezing out every last drop. Pour it into a clean bottle, label it with the date and keep it in a cool, dark place.

A few kitchen-safety tips

  • Always use fully dried herbs. Fresh plants carry water, which can cause spoilage.
  • Keep the herbs completely covered by oil the whole time.
  • If you ever see mold or notice a sour or off smell, throw the batch away.
  • Homemade oils are for external use only. Try a small amount on your inner arm before using more.
Or let us do the slow part

Every Moon Mother Wellness balm begins with a month-long herbal infusion, made by hand in small batches in Colorado.

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