Making balms, bars and creams is easier than some think and there are many benefits (you can choose ingredients and scents to work with so no harsh chemicals or dyes). These make great gifts too!

Here are several different ideas to try, first up: did you know olive oil is a lovely (and natural) moisturizer? Here’s a way to make it more special…infuse it with flowers picked fresh from the garden!

Ingredients:

Glass jar (pint)
Flower petals (1 1/2 cups)
Extra Virgin Olive Oil (1 3/4 cups)
6 Vitamin E Capsules (400 IU)

Directions:

• Fill a clean jar with choice of fresh petals or buds. Pierce the vitamin capsules and squeeze contents over top.
• Heat oil over medium heat then pour over petals. Seal and shake gently to mix.
• Place in a sunny location and turn it over daily for 2 weeks.
• After 2 weeks, strain then bottle in a sterilized container.

Tips:

• Add to the bath (2 to 3 TBS) or apply on body after bathing/showering.
• Apply to dry patches on hands, elbows ^[1], knees, feet.
• Can be used on face, be careful not to get any in eyes.
• Some believe that eczema, rosesca and stretch marks benefit from applications of olive oil, try a regular treatment to see if it helps.

Here are a few choices with reported healing & therapeutic qualities:

• Echinacea, Lavender, Marigolds, Rose, Pansies, Calendula
• Herbs can also be used

Note:

• Do not use blossoms that have been sprayed with chemicals, they can transfer to the final product and be absorbed by the body.

*Ingredients listed below are just a sample and not complete.

lisatakesix.blogspot.ca

Frugal ^[2]: Vitamin E cream, Vaseline and pink baby lotion are combined together then packaged in jars.

Coffee ^[3]: Emulsifying wax, hot brewed coffee, vitamin E capsules.

momphotographer.wordpress.com

rawmazing.com

Body Butter ^[4]: Just four simple items are required.

Rich ^[5]: Jojoba mix, beeswax, green tea extract, borax, grapefruit seed extract.

fimby.tougas.net

wabisabibaby.com

3-Ingredients ^[6]: Using just olive oil (or almond or jojoba), water and emulsifying wax, this scent free lotion is suitable for babies or those with sensitive skin (a few drops of EO can be added for scent).

For Hands ^[7]: Beeswax, solid butters, starch and fragrance, yields 12 (mini-muffin sized).

ambersambry.blogspot.ca

herbcompanion.com

Herbal ^[8]: Fresh rosemary, comfrey, lavender or patchouli leaves, anhydrous lanolin and aloe vera gel (optional).

For The Belly ^[9]: It’s very smooth and silky, but not greasy, and smells lovely which is always a must when you have a sensitive pregnancy nose.

curiousbird.typepad.com

asonomagarden.wordpress.com

For Hands – With Labels ^[10]: Emulsifying wax, olive oil, EO and hot water. Includes label download (great for gift giving).

Winter Mix ^[11]: Melt down then chill until the cream sets. Store in little containers or jelly jars for nice gifts for a friend or for yourself.

sweetefelicity.blogspot.ca

snappyliving.com

Turn Body Wash Into A Scrub ^[12]: Lotions make a rich scrub while washes make a cleansing one. These can actually be much better than a lot of store-bought products because you get to control scent and texture.

Nourishing Salve ^[13]: It can be used to soothe insect bites and minor cuts and scrapes. Pour into small tins or glass jars, allow to set and voila! A nice herbal salve to help soothe away irritating maladies.

herbanlifestyle.wordpress.com

adelightfulhome.com

Lavender ^[14]: An ideal treatment for rough patches on elbows and knees.

smockityfrocks.com

Shea ^[15]: Just 4 items needed.

Simple ^[16]: Equal parts beeswax, shea butter and sweet almond oil, EO of choice.

crunchybetty.com

designedlykristi.com

DIY Bars ^[17]: Beeswax, Shea & Cocoa butters, Vitamin E capsules and assorted EO.

Cocoa Scrub ^[18]: Muffin tins can be used as molds.

bloombakecreate.com

ascensionstyle.com

Green Tea ^[19]: Cosmetic/food grade wax, mango, shea and almond butters, Matcha.

4 TBS oatmeal (ground)
2 TBS yogurt (plain)
2 TBS lemon juice (fresh)

Directions:

• Combine together in a small bowl. Allow to sit for about a minute.
• Making sure hands are freshly washed, apply the paste to the tops of them.
• Allow treatment to work for 30 minutes, then rinse off. Dry skin then apply favorite moisturizer.

Do this twice a week and the age spots should fade over time.

*If it’s too runny, add a bit more oatmeal (originally published December 20, 2007)

Here’s a recipe the fellas will appreciate, it’s sent in by Dan Russell for a comfortable wet shave.

This was based on a shaving liquid bought from the body shop, which seemed to be mostly soap and sunflower oil.

• Mix 3 parts unscented (cheap) shower gel with 1 part sunflower oil, add a few drops of tea tree per 100ml of fluid, shake well and only make in small batches.

Rub half a teaspoon at most into a freshly cleaned face before putting shaving foam/soap on top and this makes a far more comfortable wet shave particularly for folks with sensitive skin.

A big thanks to Dan for sharing this with all of us! (originally published February 26, 2008)