Making clove oil with coconut oil involves a simple infusion process where the aromatic and beneficial compounds from crushed cloves are extracted into the carrier oil. This creates a versatile homemade oil for various uses.
DIY Clove Oil Infusion Method
Creating your own clove-infused coconut oil is straightforward and can be done using a cold or hot infusion method.
What You'll Need
- Whole Cloves: Approximately 1/4 to 1/2 cup, depending on desired potency and oil volume.
- Coconut Oil: 1 to 2 cups (refined or unrefined, based on preference; unrefined retains more coconut scent). Fractionated coconut oil is also an excellent choice as it remains liquid.
- Mortar and Pestle: Essential for crushing the cloves.
- Clean Glass Jar with Lid: For infusion.
- Cheesecloth or Fine-Mesh Strainer: For separating the infused oil.
- Dark Glass Bottle: For storage.
- Optional for Hot Infusion: Double boiler or slow cooker.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these steps to infuse coconut oil with cloves:
- Prepare the Cloves: Begin by crushing the cloves with a mortar and pestle. For a more thorough immersion and extraction, you can pour a small amount of your chosen carrier oil, such as coconut oil, directly onto the whole cloves before you begin crushing them. This technique helps the oil become deeply integrated with the cloves as they break down, facilitating better compound extraction later.
- Combine Ingredients: Transfer the crushed cloves to a clean glass jar. Pour the coconut oil over the crushed cloves, ensuring they are fully submerged.
- Infuse the Oil (Choose a Method):
- Cold Infusion (Slower Method): Seal the jar tightly. Place it in a warm, dark spot, such as a sunny windowsill or a cupboard, for 2 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar gently once a day to ensure even infusion. This method is gentle and preserves more volatile compounds.
- Hot Infusion (Faster Method): This method uses gentle heat to speed up the infusion process.
- Using a Double Boiler: Place the jar (or a heat-safe bowl with the clove-oil mixture) into a saucepan filled with a few inches of water (creating a double boiler). Heat on low, ensuring the water does not boil. Maintain a gentle simmer for 2 to 4 hours.
- Using a Slow Cooker: Place the jar (without the lid) or pour the mixture directly into a slow cooker. Set it to the lowest setting ("Warm" or "Low") for 4 to 8 hours. The goal is gentle heat, not cooking.
- Do not let the oil mixture come to a boil, as high heat can degrade beneficial compounds.
- Strain the Oil: Once the infusion period is complete, allow the oil to cool if using the hot infusion method. Line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth and place it over a clean bowl. Pour the clove-oil mixture through the cheesecloth, allowing the infused oil to collect in the bowl. Gently squeeze the cheesecloth to extract every last drop of the rich clove oil.
- Store the Oil: Transfer the finished clove-infused coconut oil into a clean, dark glass bottle. Dark glass helps protect the oil from light degradation. Label the bottle with the date it was made.
Tips for Success
- Quality Ingredients: Use high-quality, fresh whole cloves and organic coconut oil for the best results.
- Cleanliness: Ensure all equipment (jars, strainers, bottles) is thoroughly clean and dry to prevent contamination and extend shelf life.
- Patience: While hot infusion is faster, cold infusion often yields a more potent and aromatic oil due to the longer extraction time at lower temperatures.
- Storage: Store your homemade clove oil in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, it can last for several months to a year, or as long as the shelf life of the coconut oil used.
Why Choose Coconut Oil for Clove Infusion?
Coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil for clove infusion due to several beneficial properties:
- Mild Scent: It has a mild, pleasant scent that doesn't overpower the distinct aroma of cloves.
- Good Absorption: Coconut oil is readily absorbed by the skin, making it an effective base for topical applications.
- Stability: It has a relatively long shelf life and is resistant to oxidation, which helps preserve the infused clove compounds.
- Skin Benefits: Coconut oil itself is nourishing and moisturizing, adding further benefits to the infused oil.
| Feature | Coconut Oil | Olive Oil | Grapeseed Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scent | Mild, slightly sweet (unrefined) / Neutral (refined) | Distinctive, often herbal | Light, neutral |
| Texture | Absorbs well, can be solid below 76°F | Rich, can feel heavier | Light, non-greasy, fast absorption |
| Skin Benefits | Moisturizing, soothing, antibacterial | Antioxidant, nourishing, anti-inflammatory | Non-comedogenic, astringent, rich in Vitamin E |
| Stability | Good | Moderate | Good |
| Availability | Widely available | Widely available | Widely available |
Uses of Homemade Clove Oil
Homemade clove-infused coconut oil can be a versatile addition to your natural wellness routine. Always dilute further and perform a patch test before widespread use.
- Topical Pain Relief: Known for its analgesic properties, it can be gently massaged onto sore muscles or joints (always dilute with more carrier oil if needed, especially for sensitive skin).
- Oral Health Support: Diluted significantly, it can be used as part of a mouth rinse to help soothe gum irritation. Do not swallow.
- Aromatherapy: The warm, spicy scent of clove is uplifting and can be used in diffusers (though directly infused oil might not diffuse as readily as pure essential oil, its aroma is still beneficial).
- Skin and Hair Care: When properly diluted, it can be applied to skin for its antioxidant properties or added to hair masks for scalp health.
Important Considerations
While homemade clove oil can be beneficial, it's crucial to use it safely:
- Dilution is Key: Clove is potent. Always perform a patch test on a small area of skin before applying it widely, especially if you have sensitive skin. You might need to dilute your infused oil further with more plain coconut oil.
- External Use Only: This homemade infused oil is generally intended for external use. While pure clove essential oil can be used internally under expert guidance, homemade infusions vary in potency and should not be ingested.
- Avoid Contact with Eyes and Mucous Membranes: Keep the oil away from sensitive areas.
- Consult a Professional: If you have underlying health conditions, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are taking medications, consult a healthcare professional before using homemade herbal oils.
- Not a Substitute for Medical Treatment: This oil is for supportive care and not a cure for medical conditions.
