4. The Step-by-Step Herbal Oil (The Skin Healer)
This is the “gold standard” for using this plant. Once you make this oil, you can use it as is, or mix it with beeswax to make a thick salve.
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.
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