The Educated Stoner: Vinegar & Oil, Salad Dressings and More

Many of my daily deliveries are referred to as micro-infusions.  This process was first put in front of me by Chris Sayegh of The Herbal Chef in Los Angeles, California (theherbalchef.com).

Chris has worked hard to combine science and apothecary into gourmet meals, where your dose is determined by your need, or how your body tolerates activated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

In stocking my pantry with infused vinegars and oils, I like to do cold-process steeping, so the THC is not activated.  Then, you can decide what type of delivery you want while preparing a meal (recipes below).

For instance, if I’ve infused a bottle of red wine vinegar and a bottle of olive oil with cannabis in a cold-process for use in salad dressing, I know the end result won’t be psychoactive – just full of beneficial compounds from the plant.

If I’ve used a hot-process method to infuse the oil, I know the THC in the dressing is activated.  I can choose to use full-recipe amounts, or use a portion of the activated oil to lessen the effects.

If I’m doing a sauté on the stove-top of meats and/or vegetables, I can use a cold-process olive or other type of oil, knowing that in the cooking, the THC will ultimately be activated.

And the infusion can also include other herbs, such as rosemary or oregano, as many herbs are beneficial – with anti-inflammation and anti-infection properties, and more.

I love infusing vinegars, as it’s always a simple, cold-process.  And it doesn’t just have to be a red wine vinegar for use in cooking, as infusing apple cider vinegar (ACV) can also be used as a remedy by itself – mixed in some juice or water.

The benefits of apple cider vinegar date back to 3000 B.C.  According to Enzyme-facts.com, vinegar residue was found in ancient urns in Egypt, with the first written history dating back to 1200 B.C. in China.  In ancient Greece, Hippocrates – said to be the “Father of Modern Medicine,” prescribed cider vinegar mixed with honey, stated to treat many ailments.

Although modern-day science doesn’t site many studies on its benefits, the list of ailments helped found in many herbal sites online include digestive, bronchial, energy, warding off infection, and immune-system-building.

I suffer from Thyroid Disease and have used ACV for chronic constipation.  Infuse it with cannabis and it becomes a powerful daily delivery. I’ve also infused chamomile flower into ACV, for an additional calming remedy (see my website for information on the benefits of chamomile).

Cold-Process Infusion: Vinegar or Oil

One-liter bottle of Apple Cider Vinegar or Oil (Olive, coconut, etc.)

¼ c. ground cannabis (stems, leaves, flower)

OR

¼ c. whole chamomile flowers

Add plant material to vinegar, and store in a cool, dry cupboard for one to two weeks, shaking often.

Strain with cheese cloth, and decant.

Hot Process Infused Oil

I use the same equivalents for oil as I do vinegar.

Crock-pot method

Simmer three to four hours on low, stirring and checking often to prevent burning.

Strain with cheesecloth and decant.

Magical Butter Machine method

The Magical Butter Machine (Magicalbutter.com) was designed to infuse butter, oils and more in a hot process, which will activate the THC.  It’s just a matter of placing the plant material in the unit with oil, then choosing the temperature and time from a button on the machine.

Be well, know your dose to medicate not recreate.  Don’t just get stoned – get educated.

Fine Print: This article is based on simple apothecary.  It’s what I do at home. Other’s techniques and outcomes may vary.  Always mark your products with a label, noting if the product has activated THC for safety.  Keep out of reach of children and pets.