homemade herbal oils (need advice)

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Hello, I have recently made an oil with fresh homegrown herbs (Thyme, rosemary and basil) and after day or so it turned cloudy. The herbs were clean, dry (not dried) and the bottle, with cork, was placed in the kitchen but not in full sunlight. I used 2 parts peanutoil and 1 part olive and it's not clear anymore. Can anyone tell me what caused it and how to prevent this next time? Thanx!

-- Sandra Kerkhoven (Sanshine@webtv.net), June 13, 2001

Answers

Sandra:

Hi! Try this....let the herbs be outside, out of direct sunlight but in the warmth for a few hours. You need to have them go wilty and limp. The moisture content in plant matter is too high for putting directly into herbal oil, and can even cause the oil to mold later. This is how I do medicinal herbal oils as well. It doesn't effect the strength of the herbs so long as they aren't DRIED out.

Good luck!

-- Marcee King (thathope@mwt.net), June 16, 2001.


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