When I started writing this blog, winter was slowly spreading her icy fingers all over England. She left all her beautiful drawings on the blades of grass and last year’s leaves. Now the days are longer and the promise of summer hangs in the air. All the birds in my garden woke up with exiting urgency and frenzy. My brain is in spring mode and my skin is asking for some attention and TLC. Slowly even I begin to worship the coming summer.
In my last blog I shared with you how to make herbal infused oil. I hope you’ve tried it, and like me fell in love with this easy and sustainable process of remedy/cosmetic making. As I’m writing these words I’ve got plantain infusing in olive oil and lavender infusing in sunflower oil in the darkness of my cupboard. If you’ve tried infusing, what have you done with your oil? Did you use it as a salad dressing or body oil? I’ve made a lovely bottle of calendula infused oil. Did you know that you can use it on delicate and eczema prone skin even for children? I put a little bottle aside for my son, but if you would like to add a little bit of luxury into your evening care, here is what I’ve done with the rest of my oil.
100ml Calendula infused oil
10 drops Lavender essential oil (EO)
20 drops Frankincense EO
7 drops Bergamot EO
3 drops Neroli EO
Mix well together in a dark glass bottle and use to gently massage into your skin after bath instead of body-lotion. It will last safely in your cupboard for 6 months. After that time, if you haven’t used it yet – which I find hard to believe – use your nose and common sense to check if it is still usable. This is the fragrance that works for me, but please experiment with your favourite fragrances. When making your own products you put your energy and magic inside and the more you enjoy the process the nicest the outcome. The rule is to put 40 drops of essential oil in 100ml of carrier oil (for 2% general blend strength – halve the amount for sensitive skin, use only on adults).
Lavender oil has healing properties for skin. Linalol in this oil helps to kill bacteria and viruses. It also helps to heal burns, wounds and sores. Ketones help to relieve pain, build new skin tissue and reduce inflammation. It has a lovely and pleasant aroma and for 50% of population it has a calming effect – the other 50% will be wide awake, so check first in which group you are in.
Frankincense oil is truly amazing in treating dry, mature and damaged skin. It is a woman’s comfort oil, as it helps to relieve period pains, post-natal depression and can help to dispel grief. This oil has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. And for me personally – there is no better scent on Earth.
Bergamot oil has mood-lifting properties, can boost concentration and cleanses the skin. It has sedative properties and prevents muscle spasms and swelling. Because this amazing oil has both esters and monoterpenes, bergamot oil is both a sedative and a stimulant – that’s the magic of Nature.
Neroli oil will boost your body and mind; it will refresh your skin and invigorate you. It is a natural relaxant and it’s great for anxiety. It’s cooling, antiseptic and antiviral. Neroli oil is very precious and that is equivalent in its price. It is worth each penny though, and even a tiny amount will see you a long way.
All my essential oils are organic and I’ve got them from Neal’s Yard Remedies. They all come in little glass bottles with plastic screw top (I’m not sure about the recyclability of the plastic tops, you will have to check your local recycling centre).
Because you only use a few drops of essential oils, they will last you a long time. I reuse my oil bottles. They’re small and nicely fit in my handbag. I make little bottles of diluted helpers that carry me throughout the day and smell divine. They will make a lovely gift for your friends as well.
Happy diluting and luxury nights!
DO NOT USE IF PREGNANT OR BREASTFEEDING! IF IN DOUBTS HOW TO DILUTE THE OILS OR IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE, BOOK AN APPOINTMENT WITH QUALIFIED AROMATHERAPIST.