Reply To: Materia Medica
Hi. I have a question that’s come up a couple of times in this course and I was just reminded as I was watching Amanda discuss Mullein. She mentioned that she makes an infused oil with fresh mullein flowers. I’ve previously thought that it’s best to use only dried plant material in making oil infusions so as to decrease the likelihood of the oil becoming rancid. Though, I also understand that one can reduce this likelihood by using the double boiler method and covering the oil with cheesecloth or something breathable that allows any water content from the plant to leave the oil. My question is this… what are the advantages of using fresh plant matter in oil infusions? And, what factors would go into making the decision to infuse dry versus fresh herbs in oil? Thanks.