There’s something about July on Vancouver Island that feels like the earth is singing. The days stretch long and golden, the garden overflows, and everything hums with that slow, honeyed heat of summer. It’s the season of full bloom, of barefoot walks and sun-warmed herbs, of beach dips and ripe berries eaten straight from the bush.

At this time of year, I feel deeply connected to the land — and especially to the healing plants growing right outside my door. It’s no surprise that July’s seasonal recipe is inspired by the abundance of my own garden.

This month, I’m sharing a deeply nourishing herbal hot infusion oil using four of my favourite midsummer herbs: lovage, comfrey, lemon balm, and motherwort. These are medicinal powerhouses — not only for the skin, but for the nervous system, digestion, heart, and hormones too. In the July Matka Lab Member blog, I’ll show you how to take this infusion even further by turning it into an advanced gel-to-milk cleanser that’s perfect for sun-kissed summer skin. But for now, let’s root into the medicine of each plant and how you can use this oil at home.

The Herbal Infusion: Garden to Skin

🌿 Lovage

A lesser-known but potent herb, lovage is cooling, decongesting, anti-inflammatory, and delicious in your stir fries and asian inspired food dishes.

For the skin: helps calm puffiness, improve circulation, and support detox.
Internally: known for aiding digestion and clearing heat from the body.
Energetically: it moves stuck energy — good for when you’re feeling sluggish or heavy in the heat.

Use the infused oil for:
→ lymphatic massage oil, body oil, or blend into scrubs.

🌿 Comfrey

Also called “knitbone,” comfrey is famous for its ability to speed up skin healing and regeneration, and has even been used traditionally to mend broken bones.

For the skin: supports wound healing, softens dry or sun-exposed skin, and helps rebuild the skin barrier.
Energetically: comfrey brings comfort and protection — like being wrapped in a cozy blanket.

Use the infused oil for:
→ soothing after-sun oil, salves for cracked heels or garden hands, or a nighttime repair balm.

🌿 Lemon Balm

One of my garden's most generous givers — lemon balm is antiviral, mood-lifting, and incredibly skin-softening.

For the skin: soothes irritation and breakouts, supports elasticity, and gently tones.
For the mind: lemon balm calms anxiety and uplifts the spirit, making it perfect for summer stress or travel nerves.

Use the infused oil for:
→ facial oils, light summer serums, or combined with aloe for an after-sun gel.

🌿 Motherwort

This herb is medicine for the heart in every sense — both physically and emotionally.

For the skin: mildly astringent, great for inflamed or dull complexions.
Energetically: a grounding herb for anyone feeling overwhelmed, scattered, or under-nourished emotionally.

Use the infused oil for:
→ heart-centered body oil, self-massage before bed, or blend into your full moon rituals.

Making the Infusion

For this recipe, I use the hot oil infusion method — a gentle way to draw out the plant’s medicinal properties quickly while preserving their integrity. This method is ideal when you’re short on time but want a strong, stable herbal oil for skin and body care. Inside this month’s Matka Lab Member Blog you’ll learn how to transform this oil into a dreamy, skin-loving gel-to-milk cleanser using all-natural sucragel as your main emulsifier.

What You’ll Need:

Dried or fresh herbs, i’m using fresh, but slightly wilted for 24h, for this recipe (lovage, comfrey, lemon balm, motherwort)
Carrier oil of your choice (sunflower, olive, or jojoba are great summer oils)
Heat-safe glass bowl
Double boiler or a pot with a water bath
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Clean dry storage jar or amber bottle

Steps:

Weigh your herbs:
- Dried herbs to oil ratio—1:5 ratio by weight
  - That means: 1 part dried herb to 5 parts oil
  - Example: 20g dried herbs → 100g oil
  Best for: Longer shelf life, safer from microbial growth, and more concentrated infusion.
- Fresh herbs to oil ratio—1:2 ratio by weight
  - That means: 1 part fresh herb to 2 parts oil
  - Example: 50g fresh herbs → 100g oil
  ⚠️ Note: Fresh herbs contain water, which can cause spoilage or mold if not handled carefully.
  Always wilt or lightly dry fresh herbs first to reduce water content before infusing.
- Pro Tips for Both:
  - Always make sure the herbs are clean and fully dry if using dried material.
  - Store your infused oil in amber glass in a cool, dark place, and use a preservative or antioxidant (like Vitamin E) if you're not using it immediately or if the oil will go into a leave-on product.
Place herbs in a clean, dry glass bowl or heat-safe beaker.
Pour your carrier oil over the herbs until completely covered, and stir to remove air bubbles.
Set the jar or beaker into a double boiler (or place it in a pot with a few inches of simmering water). Heat gently — don’t let the oil exceed 50–60°C (122–140°F).
Infuse for 2–3 hours, stirring occasionally and keeping the water level consistent. The oil should take on the color and scent of the herbs.
Strain the oil through cheesecloth while still warm into a clean, dry glass jar. Label and store in a cool, dark place.
Scent your body oil (optional)—the infusion will have a mild natural aroma from the herbs but if you want to you can add some essential oils to accent the herbal oil. For the purpose of this blog post and the product I was really craving was something calming and cramp reducing for my periods. I added 1% equal parts roman chamomile, marjoram, black pepper, and mugwort essential oils.

You now have a versatile summer oil that can be used for body massage, healing salve, pain and cramp relief balm, anointing oil, or lymphatic supportive body oil.

Sun Energy, Slower Living & Local Everything

Midsummer is when the sun is at its most generous — and it asks us to slow down and soak it in. It’s not a time for pushing. It’s a time for ripening, resting, and receiving.

Whether you’re harvesting herbs, shopping at your local farmers market, or simply letting your bare feet meet the soil, this is your invitation to embrace the abundance of the season and nourish your whole being.

Stay wild, stay tender, and don’t forget to check out the Matka Lab for this month’s exclusive members-only recipe. Enrollment is open until the 5th — and yes, we’re shipping you a small jar of the herbal cleanser if you’re in.

Happy midsummer,
Nicolina 🌿

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