Lotion For Eczema and Psoriasis

In my Pinterest frenzy I noticed my sister pinning natural cures for eczema and psoriasis. It turns out
Jake's skin is having some issues.

I noticed that I had on hand several of the ingredients used for treatments of these skin disorders. I decided to give it a try.  Here are the ingredients I used:

1 cup chamomile infused olive oil
1/4 cup lavender infused olive oil
1/4 cup comfrey infused olive oil
1 cup dried calendula
1/2 cup melted beeswax
1/2 cup melted coconut oil
8 drops of Tea Tree essential oil
5 drops of Rosemary essential oil
5 drops of Lavender essential oil
4 Vitamin E capsules

Last summer I started getting interested in natural/herbal remedies.  I've made lotion bars, hand lotion, lip balm and other natural products, free from chemicals.  Because of my interest, I always have infused oil on hand.

There is a slow way to infuse oils with healing properties and a fast way.  For this recipe I had to do both.  The three jars you see in the picture are infused oil with lavender, comfrey and chamomile.  These jars have dried herbs in them, along with olive oil.  I keep them on my windowsill, not in direct sunlight.  I shake the jars once a week and when I need it,  they are there.

I did not have infused oil with calendula, but I did have some dried calendula.  So I measure oils out and put that in a pot with the dried calendula.  I let that simmer for 30 minutes.  When the time is up, line a fine mesh strainer with cheesecloth and strain the dried herbs out of the oil.

In a double boiler, melt the beeswax and coconut oil.

Cut the vitamin E capsules open and dump the contents (not the capsule shell) in the infused oil.  Add the essential oils.

Put the infused oil in a bowl and set it on top of a bowl full of ice.  You will use this to cool the oil and whip it at the same time.

Slowly pour in the coconut oil and beeswax, whisking as you go.

As the lotion cools, it will thicken up.

Whisk until the lotion is the consistency of whipped butter.

This recipe made 2 half pint jars.  Use within 6 months.

Disclaimer:  This recipe is not to take the place of medical advice.  I am not trained in herbal medicine.  I've learned what I know from books and the Internet.

Enjoy!

Infused Oils

When company over we hang in my kitchen.  Inevitably they always spy these jars sitting on my windowsill.  I frequently hear, "What's going on over here?"

OK, I must admit that these jars look like unclaimed Science experiments.  However, these jars allow me to make several great items: 

Lotion Bars:  http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2012/09/lotion-bars.html

Lip Balm:  http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2012/12/honey-citrus-lip-balm.html

Hand Lotion:  http://rediscovermom.blogspot.com/2012/12/hand-cream.html

I've become interested in learning all about what nature has to offer us.  Why do we need the chemicals in the items we buy?  Nature has a way to provide what we need.  Infused oils allow me to bring in the healing power of herbs into the concoctions I make.

An infused oil is simply olive oil or another type of oil, with an herb.  On my windowsill you see a mason jar full of lavender, chamomile, peppermint and comfrey.  I've had jars of calendula and other herbs as well. 

Simply fill a mason jar full of oil and add in the herb of your choice.  Place the mason jars in a windowsill that does not get direct sunlight.  Shake the jars a few times a week.  After 4-6 weeks, the oil is infused with the healing power of what you have in the jars.

I am finding that the great Lord has given us what we need to heal, for comfort, to relax.  Do some research and experiment a little. 

Get your geek on!

Hand Cream

I love investigating new recipes..............even recipes that will help sooth my dry hands.  This recipe makes 2 half pint jars of hand cream.  I love this recipe because everything is natural and you can mix and match your oils and essential oils.

Here are the ingredients:

4 tablespoons coconut oil
4 tablespoons grated beeswax
4 tablespoons chamomile infused oil
4 tablespoons calendula infused oil
10 drops of tea tree essential oil
20 drops of peppermint essential oil
3 vitamin E capsules

Several months ago I became interested in learning about herbs and infused oils.  I got some olive oil, filled mason jars with the oil and put some herbs in the jars.  I shake these jars several times a week.  I have 4 jars in the window (not in direct sunlight):  calendula, comfrey, chamomile, and lavender.  You can experiment and try almond oil or grapeseed oil with herbs. For this recipe I decided to use the chamomile and calendula infused oils because of there soothing qualities.

Chamomile Infused Olive Oil

 

I drained the infused oil, using a fine mesh strainer and a paper towel.

 

 



I grated the beeswax and placed it in a double boiler.  As that melts, add the coconut oil, and infused oils.  When that is melted, add the essential oils.  You can use any scent combination that you like.  Cut open the vitamin E capsule and add the liquid, discarding the shell.  Stir to combine all ingredients.

 

 

 

 

Yes, it is that easy!  This recipe filled two half pint jars.  As it cools it will thicken up and change color.  This is a great idea for a homemade gift!