Each and every spring I collect baskets of roses buds and petals to dry. Some of them I put into packets to sell and others I keep in jars for herbal purposes. One of my favorite uses for rose petals is to make an herb infused oil. Herbal oils are great ways to apply the medicine of the herbs directly to the skin. People make such oils with Calendula flowers as well as St.Johnswort.
In this short video I will share with you how I make rose oil with only a few ingredients:
All you need is: dried roses (or rose petals), the oil of your choice, and a clean glass jar with an equally clean lid. Whenever we are adding anything to oil it is really important that there is no extra humidity. That is why making sure the roses are totally dry is so important and also why I emphasize using a clean, dry jar and lid.
I filled the jar to just about halfway with my fragrant rose petals. Not packed in, just loosely set into the jar. I collect the rose petals myself, from the forest around where I live. That way I can be sure they at they have never been sprayed with herbicides or pesticides. I am sure that wherever you live you can find an organic source for rose petals or buds. You do not want to use roses that have come from a bouquet because they are almost assuredly NOT organically grown and the chemicals they use to grow ornamental roses will not be good to put on your skin.
As for the oil there are many options. I tend to use coconut or almond oil, but I also like jojoba oil. This time I used almond and simply poured it over the dried herbs until it was nearly full, leaving just a bit of room at the top because the dried herbs will soak up the oil and expand.
This jar will steep for a month to 6 weeks in a dark corner of my herbal apothecary before I strain it out and separate the herbal mater from the infused oil. I am hoping that the oil will take on the rose-y tint of the darkest roses and will certainly take up some of the medicinal qualities of roses. Roses are very calming for the skin, helping soothe irritation from rashes and heal pimples and scar marks.
I usually keep this oil in a small dropper bottle in the bathroom to use directly on my face, neck, hands, and arms after a shower. Kind of like a massage oil. It only takes a few minutes to apply and leaves me feeling calm and cared for. I really recommend it!