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As you know, we love experimenting with infusing different oils here, and this time we turned our attention to lemon balm. If you’re unfamiliar with the process of making infused oils, it’s actually quite simple. You start by mixing dried herbs with a carrier oil—like jojoba, avocado, olive, or almond oil—and gently heat the mixture.

After allowing the herbs to steep for a set amount of time, you strain out the solids, leaving you with an “infused” oil that is packed with the benefits of the herb used.

This time, we infused lemon balm, which is known for its calming and anti-inflammatory properties. Lemon balm oil combines the herb’s soothing qualities with the nourishing benefits of your chosen carrier oil, creating a powerful, antioxidant-rich blend. Lemon balm has been used for centuries to help reduce stress, calm anxiety, and treat minor skin irritations.

Infusing it into oil allows you to harness its medicinal properties in an easy-to-use form. Whether you’re looking to elevate your skincare routine or create a relaxing massage oil, lemon balm oil is a versatile and luxurious option. Here’s a simple guide on how you can make your own lemon balm oil at home!

Ingredients

Lemon balm
Avocado oil (You can use any carrier oil)
A clean glass jar with a lid
A strainer or cheesecloth

Homemade Lemon Balm Infused Oil

Add lemon balm to a glass jar. Start by filling your glass jar about halfway with dried lemon balm.
Pour avocado oil over it until fully covered. You can use other carrier oils like olive oil or jojoba but we prefer avocado oil.
Let it sit for 3-6 weeks, then strain the oil. If you want to speed up the infusion process, you can use gentle heat. Place the jar in a double boiler, keeping the oil warm but not allowing it to boil. Check the temperature often to avoid overheating.
Pour the mixture into a glass mason jar or airtight container.

Note that you can also make lip balm with this infused oil. Here’s a guide on how to make lemon balm lip balm.

How to Use:

Skincare: Massage it into your skin to soothe irritation or dryness.
Massage Oil: Use it as a calming massage oil to reduce stress and tension.
Bath Oil: Add a few drops to your bath for a relaxing, aromatic experience.

detail of lemon balm in the garden — Image Credit: Deposit Photos

What is the best oil to use for lemon balm infused oil?

Practically, any oil will work when making lemon balm oil. However, depending on your intended purposes, you might want to select the appropriate oil. For example, for culinary purposes like cooking or baking, choose an edible oil, like olive oil or vegetable oil. Conversely, grapeseed, avocado, olive or jojoba oil works best if you intend to apply lemon oil solely on your skin. We opted to use avocado oil because it quite nourishing.