Mold in Infused Oil

hello karen
please tell me if i infuse fresh arnica flowers into oil will it not go bad mold? after a while ? should i dry first the arnica ?

please advice
thanks a lot
god bless

Hello
I prefer to infuse the freshly dried Arnica flowers in oil.  Some, like Susun Weed, prefer using fresh plant material only.  I have not experienced fresh flowers (though have not had access to fresh arnica to try this plant) mold, when done correctly.  If you remove the air by stirring with a wooden stick, like a  chopstick, to release air bubbles, be sure to pick the flowers when sun dried, and not wash thereafter, you should be fine.

It is also important the jar and lid be clean and dry, then the oils infuse in cool dark for 6 weeks.  The oil level should be above all plant material, and checked a few days post putting up to be sure to top off if needed.  This is all if you do it with fresh plant material. 

If using dried you may wish to use a heat source, like crockpot, woodstove, or pilot light in oven.  You can read Susun's approach here.

Please let me know if I can help further!  This is a wonderful herb, and what a treasure if you have access to grown Arnica to work with fresh or freshly dried.  I would not harvest in the wild though...

Blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

Hello Karen
i did put the fresh flower of arnica  a month ago in olive oil and everything was good i took the air out as you told me but yesterday when i did want to put it into a container i notice that it had some mold on the top so i took it out and warmed the oil so if any water was still there or moisture from the flower it would  evaporate, what do you think?

I don't want to waste and throw away so i'm planning to do salve or ointment with beeswax and use it. Is that ok?

blessings

was there herb material sticking out the top of the oil?  Was the oil on this or on the top of the oil?  Was it in the inside of the jar or throughout the oil? 

If just the jar I would transfer to a new jar.  If throughout the oil, it is spoiled.  If just on the top, as it sounds, especially if on the plant material, remove the oil and remove the top bit of herb so it is all submerged and it should be fine.

It can be used as is or made into a salve or ointment as you wish.  I would not have heated it though as this may promote more mold. 

How is it doing now?
Karen Joy

Dear karen
the oil looks good,but i have to tranfer again through a coffee filter so i get only the oil and like that i will be able to make the salve (it has some staff at the bottom looks brown like water maybe? i dont know.

anyway i really appreciate your help, by the way can i make some thyme oil infusion now , is full of flower or if too late ? the same with sage is ok now or to late for the season

god bless you
have a great day everyday

once we strain the herbal material out of the oil, it is best to let the oil sit covered for a day, then decant into another bottle leaving the watery residue on the bottom behind.  This keeps water out and allows the oil to stay fresh longer.

I make most of my mint family preparations from the flowering plant, so should be fine :)
Karen Joy

Karen
sorry to bother you but what about the thyme i ask you ?
thanks a lot

no bother at all.  Sorry I wasn't clear.  When I spoke about making mint family preparations when in flower I was referring to you query about sage and thyme, since they are mint family plants :)

love and blessings,
Karen Joy
[email protected]
www.wisewomanweb.com

Comments

[Eliza]

Extremely helpful. Thank you!