Rosemary & Thyme Infused Olive Oil: A Medicinal Blend for Fall
I’m just returning from Biar, Spain, a charming town nestled in the mountains, 45 minutes from the Alicante coast along the Mediterranean. I was there celebrating a close friend’s birthday—a friend I met over a decade ago while studying abroad. With family roots in Corsica, I felt a deep connection to the Mediterranean waters, and the beauty of Biar left me completely enchanted. The town is surrounded by centuries-old olive groves, some trees over 200 years old, while the mountains are alive with wild rosemary, thyme, and a unique species of juniper often used in Chinese medicine. I gathered these herbs during my visit.
I also brought back two gallons of olive oil because I’ve always dreamt of doing abhyanga (full-body oil massage) with olive oil. Pouring the local olive oil on my plate each night had me completely enchanted—the green color was unlike any I’ve seen, rich and bold with deep flavors and a sharp undertone. How could I not bring a bunch back?!
To bring a taste of Biar home, I infused the olive oil with freshly gathered rosemary and thyme, capturing the essence of this special place. As a bioregional herbalist, I love creating essences of a region—sometimes in tinctures, and in this case, a beautifully infused oil.
Recipe: Rosemary & Thyme Infused Olive Oil
This easy-to-make infused oil combines the nourishing and grounding qualities of olive oil with the warming, digestive, and stimulating properties of rosemary and thyme—perfect for fall meals or self-care rituals.
Ingredients:
16 oz (about ½ liter) of organic olive oil
A small bundle of fresh rosemary
A small bundle of fresh thyme
Instructions:
Remove the rosemary and thyme leaves from their stems.
Place the leaves in a blender along with the olive oil.
Blend for about 1 minute until the herbs are finely chopped and well incorporated into the oil.
Pour the mixture into a clean glass jar and label it with the date.
Store the jar in the refrigerator to keep it fresh. The infused oil has a shelf life of approximately 3 months.
How to Use:
In the Kitchen: Drizzle this infused oil over roasted vegetables, use it as a salad dressing base, or mix into warm dishes to bring out the medicinal properties of these healing herbs.
For Self-Care: Warm the oil gently and use it for abhyanga (self-oil massage), a wonderful practice during Vata season to hydrate and nourish the skin. The herbal warmth from rosemary and thyme will improve circulation and calm Vata imbalances. Add a small amount of the rosemary and thyme infused oil to a carrier oil, like olive oil or sesame oil if you are going to use it for oil massage.
Medicinal Benefits
Olive Oil
Ethnobotany
Ancient Greeks and Romans considered olive oil sacred, using it in religious ceremonies, anointing rituals, and as a symbol of peace and prosperity. It was also used medicinally for its healing properties, believed to nourish the skin, heal wounds, and promote longevity.
In ancient Egypt, olive oil was used in cosmetics and embalming practices. Hippocrates, the father of medicine, referred to olive oil as "the great healer" due to its wide range of therapeutic applications, including as a base for herbal remedies. The oil's rich monounsaturated fats made it a dietary staple in many cultures, and it was also used to fuel lamps in sacred temples.
Across various cultures, olive oil has symbolized purity, strength, and fertility, making it a versatile and enduring element in both practical and spiritual life.
Benefits:
Olive oil is a kapha-increasing oil that is grounding, moisturizing, and slightly warming, making it ideal for Vata season. In Ayurveda, olive oil is known for its ability to nourish the tissues (dhatus) and provide deep hydration, making it excellent for dry skin, rough hair, and promoting longevity.
Dosha Balancing: Olive oil helps balance both Vata and Pitta doshas due to its unctuous and cooling properties, though it should be used in moderation for Kapha types.
Medicinal Properties: Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil promotes healthy digestion, supports heart health, and is an excellent anti-inflammatory agent, which soothes both the body and mind. It is also known to show antimicrobial and hepatoprotective qualities.
Rosemary
Ethnobotany:
Rosemary, derived from the Latin "rosmarinus" meaning "dew of the sea," is native to the coastal regions of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Steeped in myth and history, it was revered by the ancient Greeks and Romans for its mystical and healing properties, believed to protect against evil spirits and promote memory, circulation, and heart health.
Benefits:
Rosemary is a stimulating herb that brings warmth, improving circulation and enhancing digestion. In Ayurveda, it is regarded as a heating herb, ideal for balancing excess Kapha and Vata doshas, while being careful with Pitta types as it can increase heat.
Dosha Balancing: Rosemary is heating and drying, which makes it great for stimulating the mind and body during cold and stagnant times of year, like fall. It is perfect for those feeling sluggish or cold due to Vata or Kapha imbalances.
Medicinal Properties: Known for its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, rosemary can improve memory, concentration, and circulation, while also supporting respiratory health and easing joint pain.
Thyme
Ethnobotany
Thyme, derived from the Greek word for "fumigate," has a long history of being burned in sacred rites and associated with courage and bravery. In ancient Greece, it was used to enhance intoxicating effects and worn by warriors for courage. The Romans spread thyme throughout Europe, using it in baths to promote strength and vigor, while in Medieval England, knights received thyme-embroidered scarves for bravery. Thyme has also been valued for its antiseptic properties, used by the Sumerians as early as 3000 BCE and in ancient Egyptian embalming rituals.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the late great New Orleans culinary queen, Leah Chase. She said, “the most important ingredient in gumbo is thyme.” She used to serve gumbo to Freedom Fighters and civil rights activists. This is another example of its courage-bestowing actions.
Benefits:
Thyme, like rosemary, is also a warming herb that enhances Agni (digestive fire), making it great for stimulating digestion and clearing out mucus, which can accumulate with both Vata and Kapha imbalances. Its potent antimicrobial properties make it a go-to for fighting colds, especially as the weather cools.
Dosha Balancing: Thyme balances Vata and Kapha by bringing warmth and clarity, while its drying quality helps to reduce excess mucus and moisture in the body. For Pitta, it should be used cautiously as it may aggravate heat.
Medicinal Properties: Thyme is an excellent herb for respiratory health, supporting immunity, and easing digestive discomfort. It has been used for centuries to relieve congestion, coughs, and colds.