How to Make an Herbal Lip Balm
Herbal oils are the base ingredient for lip balms. They're easy to make, but plan ahead because they take a little time to "brew." Once you have your herbal oil prepared, it's simple to mix it with beeswax to make a great consistency lip balm or skin salve. Your finished lip balm makes an excellent gift and is good for any skin problems that require moisturizing and healing.
Things You'll Need:
1 quart clean, dry glass jar with tight-fitting lid
<br>1 cup fresh or dried herb(s) such as comfrey, plantain, noni fruit or echinacea root (or a combination of herbs)
<br>32 oz. almond or grapeseed oil
<br>Strainer
<br>Cheescloth or old panty hose
<br>1/4 cup beeswax
<br>Glass measuring cup
<br>2 medium pots
<br>Spoon
<br>Lip balm tubs
Making an herbal oil
1
If you’re using fresh herbs, rinse and then dry them thoroughly. Slice them up or crush them and place them in a clean glass jar, such as a canning jar with a securely-fitting lid. If you're using dried herbs, fill your jar about 1/3 full.
2
Fill your jar with the oil and cover tightly.
3
Place the jar in a sunny spot for about 10 days. A faster method is to bake it very slowly in your oven at 150 degrees for about 3 hours, or simply put it in your closed car that is parked in the sun for a full day.
4
Strain your mixture when done and compost the herbs that were in it.
5
Add about 1 tsp. vitamin E oil (available at pharmacies). This acts as a natural preservative and also aids in healing the skin.
Making lip balm
1
Heat 1 3/4 cups of your herbal oil in a 2-cup glass measuring cup placed in a double boiler.
2
In a separate double boiler, heat about Вј cup of beeswax. When both the oil and the beeswax are hot, pour the beeswax into the oil.
3
Be sure to do the “freezer test." After combining the oil and wax, dip a spoon into the mixture and then put it in your freezer for just one minute. This will quickly solidify the blend and will show you the finished consistency. If you want it creamier, add more oil. If you want it more firm, add more wax.
4
When you reach the desired consistency, transfer your salve into smaller containers for ease of use and gift giving.
Tips & Warnings
In general, it is preferable to use fresh herbs. But if you have only dried plants, use good quality dried herbs that haven't been sitting in your pantry for too long. If you use a fresh herb from your garden or from the grocery store, make certain that it has not been sprayed with any pesticides or herbicides.
Working with hot oil and beeswax can present some minor danger of burns. If you are working with
children
, be sure to supervise the process closely.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2277595_make-herbal-lip-balm.html
Herbal oils are the base ingredient for lip balms. They're easy to make, but plan ahead because they take a little time to "brew." Once you have your herbal oil prepared, it's simple to mix it with beeswax to make a great consistency lip balm or skin salve. Your finished lip balm makes an excellent gift and is good for any skin problems that require moisturizing and healing.
Things You'll Need:
1 quart clean, dry glass jar with tight-fitting lid
<br>1 cup fresh or dried herb(s) such as comfrey, plantain, noni fruit or echinacea root (or a combination of herbs)
<br>32 oz. almond or grapeseed oil
<br>Strainer
<br>Cheescloth or old panty hose
<br>1/4 cup beeswax
<br>Glass measuring cup
<br>2 medium pots
<br>Spoon
<br>Lip balm tubs
Making an herbal oil
1
If you’re using fresh herbs, rinse and then dry them thoroughly. Slice them up or crush them and place them in a clean glass jar, such as a canning jar with a securely-fitting lid. If you're using dried herbs, fill your jar about 1/3 full.
2
Fill your jar with the oil and cover tightly.
3
Place the jar in a sunny spot for about 10 days. A faster method is to bake it very slowly in your oven at 150 degrees for about 3 hours, or simply put it in your closed car that is parked in the sun for a full day.
4
Strain your mixture when done and compost the herbs that were in it.
5
Add about 1 tsp. vitamin E oil (available at pharmacies). This acts as a natural preservative and also aids in healing the skin.
Making lip balm
1
Heat 1 3/4 cups of your herbal oil in a 2-cup glass measuring cup placed in a double boiler.
2
In a separate double boiler, heat about Вј cup of beeswax. When both the oil and the beeswax are hot, pour the beeswax into the oil.
3
Be sure to do the “freezer test." After combining the oil and wax, dip a spoon into the mixture and then put it in your freezer for just one minute. This will quickly solidify the blend and will show you the finished consistency. If you want it creamier, add more oil. If you want it more firm, add more wax.
4
When you reach the desired consistency, transfer your salve into smaller containers for ease of use and gift giving.
Tips & Warnings
In general, it is preferable to use fresh herbs. But if you have only dried plants, use good quality dried herbs that haven't been sitting in your pantry for too long. If you use a fresh herb from your garden or from the grocery store, make certain that it has not been sprayed with any pesticides or herbicides.
Working with hot oil and beeswax can present some minor danger of burns. If you are working with
children
, be sure to supervise the process closely.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2277595_make-herbal-lip-balm.html
