"switching to cold infusions afterward made me feel way more comfortable."
Cold infusions are definitely underrated. I get why people jump straight to tinctures—fast, potent—but honestly, going slower usually gives you more control. Also, if masking smells is an issue, lemon balm or mint can be a lifesaver. Learned that the hard way after making a valerian tincture... let's just say my kitchen smelled like gym socks for days. Live and learn, right?
Totally agree with you about cold infusions being underrated. They're gentle and forgiving, especially if you're still figuring things out. And yeah, valerian is no joke—had a similar experience myself...
Been there, done that, windows open for a week. You're definitely on the right track!"let's just say my kitchen smelled like gym socks for days."
Cold infusions are definitely beginner-friendly, but honestly, sometimes they're a bit too subtle for me. If you're dealing with something strong-smelling like valerian, masking it might not always work—been there, trust me. Instead, I've found diluting the infusion step-by-step with a neutral carrier oil (like almond or jojoba) helps tone down the intensity without losing effectiveness.
"let's just say my kitchen smelled like gym socks for days."
Haha, relatable... but next time, maybe try smaller batches first? Easier to adjust if things go sideways.
Haha, valerian is definitely a tricky one—I once made the mistake of leaving a batch out overnight, and let's just say my roommate wasn't thrilled with me for a few days. Diluting with carrier oils like jojoba sounds smart though; I've mostly stuck to almond oil myself since it's what I usually have around.
One thing I've tried when an infusion turns out too intense or funky-smelling is blending it with something naturally aromatic, like lavender or peppermint. Not exactly masking it per se, more like balancing out the weirdness. But sometimes that just creates another layer of weirdness... learned that the hard way too, lol.
Quick question though—do you find that diluting the infusion affects how long it lasts? I've noticed when I mix herbal extracts with oils, sometimes they seem to go rancid quicker than I'd expect. Wondering if that's just me or if there's a trick I'm missing somewhere.
Totally relate to the lavender-peppermint balancing act. I once tried fixing a rosemary infusion gone rogue by adding eucalyptus oil, thinking it'd mellow things out. Ended up smelling like a cough drop factory exploded in my kitchen... not exactly the relaxing spa vibe I was aiming for, lol.
About your dilution question—I've noticed something similar. Carrier oils can definitely affect shelf life, especially if they're prone to oxidation (almond oil can be a bit sensitive that way). One thing I've found helpful is adding just a tiny bit of vitamin E oil as an antioxidant. It doesn't completely prevent rancidity, but it does seem to slow things down noticeably. Also, keeping blends in darker bottles and storing them somewhere cool and dark helps a ton.
But yeah, valerian... that's brave territory. My partner still hasn't forgiven me for that one time I accidentally spilled some tincture on our couch cushion. Let's just say Netflix nights were pretty pungent for a while there, haha.
