DIY Herbal Lotion Bars

Gardeners are always looking for a good hand cream.  After a long season of digging, picking and washing, your hands take a real beating.  Give your hands some TLC with some homemade herbal lotion bars. These herbal lotion bars are made from 100% all natural ingredients and herbs that can easily grow in any garden.  

Here are the beneficial healing properties associated with each ingredient:

Basil 

Although commonly known as a culinary herb, it also has warming and relaxing properties. When applied externally to the skin, it can relieve insect bites and stings.

Spearmint 

The less pungent cousin of peppermint helps relieve indigestion and other gastrointestinal ailments. Applied topically is has the ability to cool the skin and repel bugs.

Lavender

It’s one of the most popular herbs used in beauty products due to its wonderful smell. Lavender promotes relaxation and stimulates circulation. When it is applied to the skin, it can relieve pain. It is also antiseptic and promotes healing.

Rosemary 

This is another popular culinary herb. It is a mild pain reliever and sedative. When combined with lavender flowers, its effects are increased.

Coconut Oil

The oil can be used for cooking as well as cosmetics. The beneficial properties of coconut oil are becoming increasing popular. The moisturizing effects of coconut oil help promote the healing of cuts, bruises, and abrasions. The oil applied to cuts and abrasions protects against infections because of its anti-bacterial, anti-viral and fungicidal effects.

Shea Butter

Due to its luxurious moisturizing abilities, Shea butter is popular in cosmetics. The high levels of natural anti-oxidants and essential fatty acids in shea butter have proven extremely effective for moisturizing and repairing damaged skin. It can also soothe rashes and help protect the skin from the sun.

Beeswax

It effectively softens skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. It also is a naturally nourishing moisturizer. Like honey, beeswax is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Beeswax can also promote wound healing.

Materials Needed

• Unrefined shea butter
• Virgin coconut oil
• Beeswax (cosmetic grade)
• Sprigs of lavender, rosemary, spearmint and a couple of leaves of sweet basil.
• Dried lavender flowers
• A silicone mold (use a cup cake or mini loaf pan mold)
• A wooden skewer or chopstick to stir
• A glass Pyrex measuring cup
• 1 quart mason jar
• Crock pot or double boiler 
  

Steps:

1. You will need equal parts of the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax. The proper way to get this measurement is to weigh the ingredients. For example, say you decide to use 8 oz as a unit of measurement. Then weigh 8 oz each of the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax.
2. Fill the ceramic basin of your crock pot half-full with water. Set the temperature to low.
3. Place the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax in the mason jar and add the herbs.
4. Heat the coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax until melted. The beeswax will melt the slowest. Periodically stir the mixture with the wood skewer.
5. When all the items are melted, turn off the crock pot and let the herbs infuse in the mixture for a few minutes (or until the water cools down).
6. Remove the jar from the crock pot and strain the herbs from the mixture. Pour the melted oils and beeswax in to a glass measuring cup with a pour spout (this will make easier to pour into the mold).
7. Prepare your silicone mold. Make sure the mold is sitting on a level surface. Sprinkle some dried lavender flowers on the bottom of the molds. Pour the melted herbal mixture into the molds until it is level to the top of the mold. 
8. Leave the filled silicone mold on the level surface until the lotion bars are set.
9. When the bars are completely cooled, go ahead pop them out of the mold.
10. Your lotion bars are ready to use!

To use, rub the lotion bars in your hands to warm them up. Once warmed, rub the bar all over your hands, arms, feet, etc. They are great to use wherever you have dried skin. Don’t forget to make a few extra; they make great gifts.

You can use a double boiler instead of a crock pot to melt the oils and beeswax. To make your own double boiler, place a bowl on top of a pan of simmering water. The bowl should not to touch the water. The bowl will create a seal with the bottom pan to trap the steam produced by the simmering water and heat up the bowl. Add the herbs to the oils and beeswax after they have melted and let them steep. Keep the bowl on the simmering pot of water for a few minutes.