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How to Make St. John's Wort Infused Oil
Learn how to make St. John's Wort infused oil at home - everything from harvesting to storage and usage.
EQUIPMENT
- 1 glass jar with a lid
- 1 strainer, cheese cloth or clean gauze
- 1 dark or blue storage botlle
- 40 grams beeswax (optional for salve)
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cup St. John's Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) flowers
- 1.5 cup carrier oil (organic olive oil)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Harvest fresh St. John’s Wort flowers. Spread them in a shallow bowl to check for bugs. If needed, leave the bowl in the sun for 30 minutes to let any insects crawl out.
- Fill a glass jar ¾ full with flowers. Pour in cold-pressed olive oil until the flowers are completely covered. Press down with a spoon or wooden stick to release air bubbles and make sure everything is fully submerged.
- Seal the jar and place it in a warm, sunny spot for 4–6 weeks (traditionally 40 days). The sunlight helps draw out the hypericin, giving the oil its rich ruby-red color.
- Check the jar occasionally. Gently stir or shake and top up with more oil if the flowers poke above the surface to prevent mold.
- After 40 days, when the oil has a deep ruby red color, strain it through a cheesecloth or gauze into clean bottles.
- Store in dark glass bottles or jars in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, the oil can last up to 1–2 years. If you wish, process it further into a healing salve by adding melted beeswax.
NOTES
Pick St. John’s Wort flowers on a bright sunny day when they’re at their peak bloom. Avoid roadsides and polluted areas.
Take only what you need and never strip a plant completely—focus on the top flowers.
Store in a basket or paper bag and use the flowers fresh and as soon as possible for the most potent oil.
Always store your finished oil in dark glass bottles (amber or cobalt) to protect it from light. Label and store in a cool, dry place. When properly stored, it will last up to 2 years.
Test on a small patch of skin first to check for allergies.
For cuts, burns, and scrapes, massage gently into clean, dry skin several times a day.
For muscle and nerve pain, apply 3 times daily.
For fungal issues, use a thin layer twice daily.
Avoid sunlight on treated skin, as it can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. It's best used in the evening or to cover the area where it has been applied.
Don’t apply to deep, open wounds.
To make St. John's Wort salve, warm 1 cup of infused oil in a double boiler with 30–40g of beeswax until it is melted. Pour the mixture into sterilized jars or tins and let it cool completely before sealing.