Can I just tell you how excited I am to share this DIY Herb-Infused Olive Oil?!

You know what’s fun? Taking a few simple things and turning them into something entirely new and awesome. 

Though that’s fairly cryptic, it’s not meant to be.

All I mean is that with just a few simple items you can DIY your way to something new, healthy, and interesting. And sometimes, as in the case today, it can even be gifted. 

DIY Salad Dressing

I’ve been DIY the salad dressings for many years now. I mean, one simple search of “homemade dressing” on this website and you’ll see a ton of ideas and what I’ve come up with over the years.

No salad dressing I’ve done has ever been very complicated. And yet, you’d be surprised at the number of times I’ve had people say to me, “Oh, combining that and that. I’ve never even thought to do it.”

What I’ve learned about a great salad dressing is that simpler is better. Less is actually more. 

The way I usually DIY a salad dressing is like this:

1. choose the oil
2. choose the “flavor”
3. decide on sweet or savory
4. add in any miscellaneous things

And then I place all of it in a reusable dressing jar and/or shaker (I have both).

Anyways, today with this DIY Herb-Infused Olive Oil I’m about to share with you, I found an even easier way to this entire formula.

Olive Oil and Gut Health

Click HERE to save these 6 good reasons for choosing olive oil for later.

For a few years, it seems like the only oil I consumed was coconut oil. I still stand by all things coconut oil, but I consume far less today. We use olive oil frequently. There’s just something about that buttery taste I love.

Anyways, here are 6 good reasons for choosing olive oil:

1. Research reveals that Olive Oil contains polyphenolic compounds that decrease “oxidative damage to cellular DNA” which results in “effectively decreasing promotion of colon cancer.”
2. It stimulates the gallbladder, causing the release of bile, which helps digest the fats in your digestive tract.
3. Olive oil is rich in iron, vitamins E and K, antioxidants, omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids.
4. Contains antibacterial properties. A study in humans suggested that 30 grams of extra virgin olive oil, taken daily, can eliminate Helicobacter pylori infection in 10–40% of people in as little as two weeks.
5. Olive oils originated from various regions of the world can pose some positive effects on gut microbiota.
6. Contains strong anti-inflammatory properties.

Sources: HERE, HERE, and HERE.

But like everything else that’s “good for the gut” and overall health, it’s important to note that a quality olive oil is also important.

A Quality Olive Oil

It all starts with a quality olive oil. And that’s how the whole idea for this came about in the first place. When I order my Organic Olive Oil from NOW, it always comes by the case. Yes, the case!

Therefore, I use a lot of olive oil in my cooking and baking these days. And I just love it. 

This Extra Virgin Organic Olive Oil I use from NOW is first cold pressed and unrefined.

It also:

• is free acidity of less than 1% linolenic acid
• can be used in baking for up to  375ºF
• is a premium oil that’s perfect for a variety of dishes, hot or cold
• remains a star on the Mediterranean Diet (which I love for overall gut health)

So one day, while staring at this beautiful bottle of olive oil, I thought,

Might as well create with it…..then gift my creation.

I was gifting the plain olive oil all the time.

But now I had a really fun idea! The idea was to simply infuse the olive oil (in the bottle, as-is) with an herb then gift it.

So the first thing I did was understand olive oil and herb pairings.

The Best Herbs to Pair with Olive Oil

Click HERE to save this list for later.

I know you’re curious, too. Obviously rosemary. We all know rosemary and olive oil are like PB&J. But now that that’s out of the way, here is my full list:

1. rosemary
2. oregano
3. basil
4. thyme
5. parsley
6. cilantro
7. tarragon
8. sage
9. mint
10. dill

In addition to the individual herbs, you can also pair them.

Here are some herb pairing ideas:

• rosemary and thyme
• oregano and basil
• basil, rosemary, and thyme
• oregano and sage
• rosemary and mint
• rosemary, sage, and thyme
• parsley and oregano
• tarragon and parsley

Okay, so now we are ready to create the simple DIY herb-infused olive oil.

DIY Herb-Infused Olive Oil {Bonus: Holiday Gift Idea}

Click HERE to save this post for later.

First, there are two ways you can do this. The first, is to slightly heat (only to about 180 degrees) the olive oil and herb(s), let cool, then strain away your herbs and re-bottle.

If you do it that way, it will go quicker. You know, Instant Pot-ish quicker.

But because I’m trying to make this as minimal and simple for you as possible, I want to share how I do it sans-heat.

Items needed for DIY Herb-Infused Olive Oil

• 1 bottle of Organic Olive Oil from NOW Foods
• herb and/or herb combination (see lists above)

Okay, now let’s make this the olive oil that keeps on giving.

How to DIY Herb-Infused Olive Oil

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by A Gutsy Girl® | Gut Journalist (@agutsygirl)

And yes, actually that’s it.

Just call me the DIY Gutsy Martha. I won’t be mad.

Let me know if you make this for yourself or as a gift. 

If you liked this post, you might also enjoy:

1. DIY Squatty Potty
2. Essential Oil DIY Body Scrub Recipe
3. DIY Lemonade for Constipation

Disclosure: This post is a paid partnership with NOW Foods. All opinions stated here are 100% my own. I appreciate your support, as this compensation helps with expenses to keep this website up and running, and for me to continue sharing all that I can with you. For my full disclaimer and disclosure click HERE. Thank you for your support!

Xox,
SKH