Lilac flower infusion is an old-fashioned home remedy for skin ailments including sunburns, scrapes, and cuts. Lilac flowers have astringent properties. Astringents contain compounds that are highly effective in toning and tightening your skin. A topical application of lilac oil infusion or salve helps in reducing premature aging, wrinkles and skin sagging.
The salve is a lovely solid perfume if you want something natural and light. Apply it to wrists, behind ears, lips, neck, navel, behind knees, or wherever.
The First Step – Infusion
Pick the freshest flowers after the dew has dried, around 10 am. Lay the flowers on a paper towel or white towel to dry for a week out of direct sunlight. Turn the flowers once a day for even drying.
When the flowers are dried, remove the flowers from the stems by running your fingers down the stem.
Place your dried flowers in a sterilized glass jar. I usually fill the jar loosely to 1/2 full. Then, pour your choice of oil over to flowers, filling to 1 inch from the top. Cap and label your jar. I like to use olive oil (buy here) because of long self-life, and it has healing properties as well. There are other wonderful oils to choose from such as sweet almond (buy here) or sunflower (buy here).
There are three ways to infuse your leaves. They are:
- The long method – place the jar in a dark place, shake every day for 2-6 weeks (The best way, but it’s a long wait. This is the only way I infuse.) Buy jars.
- The short method – place your jar in a pot with 2 inches water, simmer water on low for an hour, replacing water as needed until properties are extracted (on low because you don’t want water droplets to form on the inside of the jar, not good). Only use this one if you’re in a hurry. Buy jars.
- Another short method – place the jar on an electric candle warmer for a few hours, stirring a few times, don’t let it get too hot. Only use this one if you’re in a hurry. Buy candle warmer.
When the infusion is done, strain the warm (not hot) through cheese cloth, white cloth, or coffee filter. Your special oil is ready to use now or you can continue and make salve. If you’ve decided to use the oil, you any wish for a little scent. Sadly, very little of the lilac scent is retained in the infusion. You can add essential oil is you wish. Five drops of Lavender EO and one drop Frankincense is a great combo to each 1/4 cup of infused oil, but you can add whatever scent you choose.
The Second Step – Salve
To make a salve with your infused oil is quick and easy.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup infused Lilac oil (above)
- 1 tablespoon beeswax (buy here)
- 10 drops Vitamin E (buy here)
- 5 drops Lavender essential oil (buy here)
- 1 drop Frankincense essential oil (buy here)
Directions
Using the number 2 or 3 (I use 3 to warm and melt only) method above, warm the infused oil, beeswax, and Vitamin E in a glass jar. When the beeswax is melted, add the essential oils of choice. Stir and quickly pour into your containers (like these). That’s it!
The poured oil will cool and harden in 30 minutes, and it is ready to use. As it cools and hardens, it usually turns a lighter color, which is normal. Enjoy!
The End is Sweet
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