Wildcrafted Sagebrush Body Oil: Warming Nourishment for your Skin
Season: Summer
Summer stretches out in long hours bringing forth bountiful growth in the natural world. It’s the perfect season for wandering the outdoors, foraging thoughtfully, and bringing a little of the season back home.
On a recent hike in Carson Valley, Nevada, the air was filled with the scents of pine, desert flora, and the striking pungency of sagebrush. Abundant and fragrant, the sagebrush called to be gathered. I harvested a small handful along the trail, dried it at home, and set about preserving its desert brightness in a form I could carry with me into autumn.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz jojoba oil (substitute argan or another nourishing oil if you prefer)
- Freshly dried sagebrush (or other sage varieties)
Equipment
- 1 oz dropper bottle
- Small jar with lid
- Small funnel (optional)
- Fine strainer
Instructions
- Pour the jojoba oil into your small jar.
- Sprinkle the dried sage leaves over the oil and swirl gently.
- Seal the jar and store it in a cool, dry place.
- Let infuse for 2–4 weeks.
- Strain out the leaves and transfer the finished oil to your dropper bottle.
Notes & Variations
- Jojoba oil has a shelf life of about six months unrefrigerated, so small batches are best.
- Many varieties of sage will impart their own subtle aroma. Try experimenting with what grows in your garden or region.
- If foraging in a public park, harvest mindfully: take only what you need, and only from thriving plants that can spare it.
Uses
- A lightly scented body oil
- Massage oil
- Shave oil
Reflection
Each time I open the small bottle of desert-scented oil, I’m carried back to that trail in the mountains with its sun-warmed air, silvery sagebrush, and reminded of the immense stillness of wild spaces. The ritual of using it is both grounding and nourishing, a reminder to slow down, care for my body, and carry the memory of summer into cooler seasons.
