What you need:
- Dried Purple Dead Nettle (let it sit out for 2-3 days until it feels like paper; fresh plants have too much water and will make the oil moldy).
- A clean glass jar.
- Olive oil (or almond oil).
The Steps:
- Fill the jar: Stuff your dried leaves and flowers into the jar until it is about 3/4 full. Don’t pack it too tight; leave some “breathing room.”
- Cover with oil: Pour your oil over the plants until they are completely submerged. You want at least an inch of oil above the plant material.
- The Wait: Put a lid on it and sit it in a sunny windowsill for 4 weeks. Give it a little shake every few days.
- Strain: After a month, pour the oil through a coffee filter or an old clean T-shirt into a fresh jar. Squeeze hard to get every drop!
- Best for: Itchy skin and boo-boos. This oil is amazing for bee stings, itchy bug bites, dry winter skin, or minor scratches. It helps pull skin tissues together to heal faster.
A Few Quick Tips for Beginners
- Check your spot: Never pick plants from the side of a busy road or a lawn that has been sprayed with chemicals.
- The “Square” Rule: Feel the stem. If it’s square, it’s in the mint family.
- Dry it right: If you’re saving it for later, make sure the leaves are “cracker dry” before putting them in a jar.
Inspired by this? Share the article with your friends!
Pages: 1 2
