One of my greatest joys of collecting herbs and flowers during the summer to use fresh or preserved by drying or infusion tincturing oil. Although I can not prove it, I feel something special herbs grown close to home, the benefits to us essential, the level of vibration. In autumn, the garden was put to bed, I have great pleasure of "Gaia's Garden" herbal medicine and body care goodies for family and friends. And it is surprisingly easy.
Herbal teaThe extra virgin olive oil is the basis for my healing ointments. You can buy these (very expensive) or make them. This is a summer project, but now you can start by deciding on and ordering seeds to plant where. My favorites are calendula, arnica, mullein, comfrey and peppermint for its healing properties, lavender and geranium for their wonderful aromas. Gather the herbs at their peak in the morning before the heat of the day, but after the dew has dried. Allow to dry for a fewHours or during the night because too much moisture can cause a milky substance in the form of oil, or it may mold. Bring a cup about 3 / 4 full of herbs, pour eighth in extra virgin olive oil to completely immerse the herbs, remove all air bubbles, then set the glass covers. Put them in a warm, sunny window for at least two weeks and try to shake the oil daily. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth into a clean jar in a cool, dark place. If you are inspired to make some oil with herbsis the first summer, you can crockpot very clean. Herbs and place the oil in a saucepan and cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or more.
Being in the recipes that can be "oil" followed by a type or a mixture. Note the differences between species (almond oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, hemp, sunflower and jojoba oil are all great) and use your intuition to decide to whom and in what proportion. Start with the use of essential oils, with a few drops, sniff, you add more and so on. I often experiencemixtures but sometimes the simplest is best: Calendula infused oil, lavender essential oil and beeswax for skin problems, infused with peppermint oil, peppermint oil and tea tree essential oils and beeswax sore feet, arnica-infused oil and beeswax for bruises, aches and pains.
More than ointments and creams you can (capped with a blend of pure essential oils to carrier oil in the bottle nice and sealed with beeswax), massage oils, air fresheners (water, a little 'of alcohol andessential oils in a spray bottle), talc (cosmetic clay, cornstarch, arrowroot powder, and essential oils in a shaker can), bath salts (minerals, salt, white clay, dried herbs and essential oils), cereals cleaning (corn, oats, ground and ground lavender flowers), and much more.
So you are planning on it, are herbs with love and intention. Apart from the sufficient time to collect what you need, take a moment to go downtown and focus, then in a relaxed manner. Imaginethe energies of the herbs used, they are infused in oil, dried and powdered, or as a concentrate of essential oils. Close your eyes and see the plant alive and dynamic. Breathe in their nature and know that this entity will be present in the preparation, for the love and care you put into improving the process.
Subject to the basic
A slightly warm over very low heat 1 / 2 cup of oil in a glass or stainless steel pot (or use a double boiler). Add 2 tablespoons of beeswax. Stir untilBeeswax is melted then remove from heat. Add a few drops of essential oil if desired. Pour into glasses. The ointment is set as it cools. (This recipe can be doubled).
Lip Balm
Balm lip balm is put into a pot or a tube. The basic recipe above will make about 12 ointment jars or tubes. The best oils are almond oil, apricot oil, hemp oil, grapeseed oil. Supplement of vitamin E is nice, too. If you want the flavor, add a few drops of peppermint oil or other natural essential oils. Soil can alkanet *be added after the beeswax is melted. Thus, the red lip balm and also acts as a natural sunscreen. If alkanet is used, the strain through cheesecloth before pouring into jars or tubes.
Face and Body Cream
The most important things to remember when making this cream is to keep the same proportion of oil to water and to ensure that all ingredients at room temperature before mixing. I use a mixture of light, nourishing oils and coconut oil or cocoa butter. For water, I usedistilled water or distilled water of roses or other flowers, and aloe vera gel. Occasionally I have an herbal tea made with distilled water and herbs such as rose, chamomile and lavender, but the cream is not that long.
Combine chosen to make a cup of water. Add essential oils to the water. Set aside. Put a cup of oil (including cocoa butter or cocoa if using) in small saucepan. Add 3 tablespoons of beeswax. Place over low heat and stir until the solid melted. Immediately pour into a blender and set asidelet cool. You want it to be semi-solid cream. I put the glass next to an open window or in the refrigerator to speed up the process, but watch carefully. When the oils are cooled, turn mixer to high speed and slowly fill the water in a blender (such as making mayonnaise). If the mixer starts to choke, turn slowly and remaining water and beat in his hand. It can not be beaten. Whip the cream into the glasses prepared. Becomes thicker as it goes. Store in a cool place.(The "model" for this recipe Rosemary Gladstar the "Famous Face Cream").
Dyes
Dyes are highly concentrated liquid extracts of herbs. I prefer capsules, tinctures, it is the last indefinitely and makes it easier, not to mention much cheaper than you buy dyes. I use good quality 100 vodka, brandy or rum can be used. Glycerites are dyes with glycerin (vegetable glycerin is better), which is dense and sweet. It is notdissolves resins, oils, alkaloids, salts or dyes so glycerites not as strong as alcohol, but the sweet taste makes it palatable for children.
Dyes can with fresh or dried herbs are high quality products. Wilt fresh herbs (like oil), then chop finely chopped before packaging in a wide-mouthed jar with a lid attached. Fill the jar with the herbs, pour in alcohol, then upward, allowing you to remove any air bubbles (this will be about one part in two grassAlcohol). (To use some chopped finely crushed dried herbs or herb alcohol four 56 pieces.) Cover and shake, shake, shake. Put the magic in the dye. Close your eyes and paint the grass / s glowing health and vitality, and feel the glass in your hand. On a warm, dark place for at least four weeks, longer is fine. Often shake the feeling that the magic.
Vermont herbalist Rosemary Gladstar advises: "Take this time to enchant and to create high-quality a good medicine."If the tincture is ready to go through several layers of gauze out every bit of effort. Pour into dark bottles of dye through a funnel. And do not forget the label. Adults: In general, the acute illness with 1 / 4 to 1 / 8 tsp. every hour or so. In chronic illness, take 1 / 4 teaspoons three times a day. (For a full dropper is approximately 1 / 2 teaspoon).
The Basics
Olive oil is great, make the herb oil, but is a bit 'difficult for creams and massage oils. To search for other carrier oils: sweetAlmonds, grapes, apricot kernel oil, hemp, sunflower and jojoba oil. High quality beeswax is indispensable. I recommend finding beeswax beads or pellets - without grid and very easy to measure. Cocoa butter, aloe vera, vitamin E and coconut oil is great to have on hand, plus a selection of pure essential oils for fragrance and healing improved. Perfume and fragrance oils are synthetic and do not have healing properties.
It 'a good idea to use, the utensils to prepare ointments andCreams, such as for cooking. I have two small heat-resistant glass jars, private wooden spoon, spatula and funnel rubber, a small whisk, measuring spoons, a food scale, mortar and pestle and a coffee grinder for spices. I use the mixer at home, but I wash it very hot soapy water before and after use. And do not forget the containers. Recycled glasses are sterilized in order, just use common sense (not the old medicine bottles or film canisters), and more. Do not reusePlastic.
Basic Resources
It would be impossible to list all my favorite books are herbs so this list is the "extra-short." The vendors offer a full range of products - oils, beeswax, all types of glasses, vases and bottles, essential oils, clay and salt, and dried herbs (Organic / Wildcrafted), books, and their tea just herbal creams, and extracts. Avena Botanicals offers a wide range of workshops and apprentice programs.
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