For years I've been making cold infused oils from my organic herbal garden. The lavender oil is great for sore muscles and bronchitis, and rose oil is a wonderful facial moisturizer that also gives UV protection. A few years ago I experimented with my teenage granddaughter and added some beeswax to the oil after it's six-to-eight-week infusion. So fun to do together. In taking this next step I checked a few of my favorite go-to sites for herbs the first one is Wellness Mama and the other is the Nerdy Farm Wife to see if they had a recipe I could use.
The first balm I made was one with my beautiful magenta roses that smell like heaven itself. I have a few posts on making infused oils and you can read them to find out more about it. I learned the beeswax to oil ratio from the Nerdy Farm Wife.
ROSE FACIAL MOISTURIZING BALM
1. Fill a Mason jar half to three-fourths of rose petals that have dried for at least two days.
2. Top with extra-virgin olive oil, almond oil, or grapeseed oil so it's 1/2" from the top of the jar.
3. Let the rose petals infuse for six to eight weeks in a dark place. Shake every few days or so.
4. Strain the petals into a new mason jar.
6. When the oil is warm, add 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets for every three ounces of oil.
7. Watch and stir occasionally as the beeswax melts. When they're completely melted, take the pan off the stove and let sit for 2 minutes.
8. Add 10 drops of geranium essential oil or rose absolute.
9. Pour in 2 or 4 oz jars and let cool.
10. Label. This balm has a shelf life of one year.
SORE MUSCLE & ARTHRITIS BALM
A few years ago I made this balm with just a few herbs from my garden, but when one of my grandsons got diagnosed with juvenile arthritis, I read all my labels, and put everything that worked into a jar to soak in the sun during the day.
I got the horsetail from a neighbor's yard, and the red clover I pick wild, but everything else grows in my garden pots. Whenever I make this balm, I always use equal proportions. This summer I made 2 quarts and let it steep in a big pickle jar. I am happy to hear that it has helped a few of my friends who have trouble with arthritis.
1. Fill a quart Mason jar half to three-fourths full of the following herbs that you have dried for 10-12 days and let steep in extra virgin olive oil or grapeseed oil for 6 to 8 weeks:
1 T calendula - for sore muscles 1 T lemon balm - muscle spasms
1 T comfrey - wound healer 1 T peppermint - pain
1 T daisy - relieve pain in aching joints 1 T plantain - anti-inflammatory
1 T dandelion - arthritis 1 T red clover - joint pain
1 T feverfew - joint health 1 T rosemary - arthritis
1 T horsetail - sprains 1 T strawberry leaf - arthritis
1 T lavender - joint pain and sore muscles 1 T sage - joint pain
1 T yarrow - anti-inflammatory
2. Strain herbs into a new mason jar.
3 Put a mason jar lid on the bottom of a small saucepan filled with enough water for the herbal oil to warm up.
4. When the oil is warm, add 1/2 cup of beeswax pellets for 4 cups of olive oil.
5. Watch it while you do other things in your kitchen and stir occasionally as the beeswax melts. When they're completely melted, take the pan off the stove and let sit for 2 minutes.
6. Take the oil off the stove for two minutes. Then add 10 drops of frankincense essential oil. It also helps with joint pain and makes it smell good!
7. Pour in 2 or 4 oz jars and let cool.
8. Label. This balm has a shelf life of one year.
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