Infusing spruce into a carrier oil makes a warm, forest scented body oil that can be used many bodycare recipes. It can be the base for a body scrub, body butter, a salve, beard balm and many more things.
This can be made with other conifers besides spruce. Pine and fir are also commonly used. In fact most conifer trees (watchout for Yew, toxic look alike) can be used, just be sure you know what you are harvesting to use. The website Grow Forage Cook Ferment has some helpful info to help identify different conifers.
After you have properly identified your conifer of choice, make sure you are harvesting from a clean source (like hasn’t been treated with anything, isn’t around car exhaust, ect).
Directions to Make
Clip the twigs you want to use. I like to use the season’s newer growth, the more pliable growth near the ends of the branches. Once they are clipped, lay them out to dry for a couple days. You can hang them or lay flat on a paper bag.
If it has been really wet out, or your trees are in moist places, humidity is high, or you are worried about mold, you can let them dry for up to a week. If you wait much longer than that the oil won’t be as strong.
Once they are dry you can do one of two things. You can either snip off the tiny needles and place them in your jar. Or if your twigs are tiny and dry, you can snip into smaller one inch pieces and place them in your jar.
I like to fill the jars pretty full of clippings and needles when making spruce infused oil. Once your jar is full, cover the needles completely with a carrier oil. Apricot, almond, and jojoba all make great choices, as they are great in skincare and have little to no scent.
I have seen lots of folks use organic olive oil, which has more of a scent, but also works great in so many skincare recipes.
Place your jar in a dark and preferably warmish place. On top of the fridge or a kitchen cabinet make good choices.
You can infuse anywhere from 2 to 6 weeks. Check your oil every now and then and see how the infusion is going by opening it and giving it a scent test. When its to your liking, strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve into a clean glass jar.
And now you have a forest scented body oil for recipes!
*You can also add a cinnamon stick or some dried ginger to the oil while it is infusing for an extra warming oil.
Check back soon and we’ll make some fun holiday inspired body care with the spruce oil!