|
Herbal
Salves
Soothing skin balms to
soften and heal can be scented with commercial essential oils or
your own. The ones you make will not be as strong, but unless you
just happen to have a still set up to make bathtub gin, you'll find
them a lot easier. (Of course, if you're drinking bathtub gin you
probably don't care all that much anyway, do you?)
Mix a cup of dried calendula
or chamomile blossoms with two cups olive oil and stir with a wooden
chopstick or spoon handle. Cover and place in a brown paper bag.
Set on a sunny windowsill for 6 weeks, then strain and use to soothe
rough hands.
For lip balm, set a butter
melter (or other deep cup-shaped metal container) in a pan of boiling
water and add 1/2 ounce beeswax, 1 tablespoon rosemary-infused olive
oil, 1 tablespoon wheatgerm oil, and 1/4 teaspoon vitamin E oil.
Stir until wax is melted and oils are well blended, then pour into
tiny jars or cans.
For a soothing and refreshing
facial splash, infuse skin-friendly herbs (such as chamomile) in
witch hazel for several weeks, then store in the refrigerator.
Simmer dried rosemary
leaves in water for 10 minutes, strain and mix with equal parts
of cider vinegar for a hair rinse that will restore the natural
pH balance after a shampoo, and leave hair lustrous.
|
