Aromatherapy Recipes - Part 9

Aloe Aftershave Gel

This gel will work well for men or women. It soothes skin after you’ve finished shaving. It’s one of those great, simple recipe that will replace what you buy at the store. It’s alcohol free, so it’s great for even sensitive skin.

½ cup aloe vera gel
1½ Tablespoon distilled water
1 Tablespoon witch hazel
10 drops essential oil of your choice

Combine all ingredients in the container you’ll store it in, until well mixed. Top with a lid. Use after every shave to soothe and refresh your skin.

Kids Strawberry Perfume

2oz beeswax
3oz Shea butter or apricot oil
4oz olive oil
Up to 1oz of strawberry fragrant oil
Sprinkle of glitter
Lip balm containers or small jars

Start by melting the beeswax and Shea butter down in a double boiler method.
Once the beeswax is melted add all the oils together including the scent and stir through a sprinkle of glitter.
Now add the mixture to small lip balm pots or miniature jam jars.
This recipe makes 9oz of solid perfume

Note
If you cannot obtain Shea butter, then substitute the 3oz of Shea butter with 1 extra oz of beeswax and 2oz of either a massage oil base like apricot oil or use olive oil.

Stretch Mark Cream

¼ cup cocoa butter
1 Tablespoon wheat germ oil
1 teaspoon light sesame seed oil
1 teaspoon apricot kernel oil
1 teaspoon vitamin E oil
2 teaspoon grated beeswax
1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Mix together all ingredients except the vanilla extract. Heat the mixture gently until the cocoa butter and beeswax have melted; stir well. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract, if desired. Allow to cool completely. Store in a clean jar with a tight fitting lid. Massage into your skin.

Aromatherapy Perfume—Carrier Oil Based

1 Tablespoon carrier oil (e.g. Jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, etc)
15—25 drops of your favourite essential oil

Simply blend all of the oils together, and then transfer to a dark glass bottle or container. Because of the high concentration of essential oils used in this recipe you should only use it sparingly, placing just a few drops on your pulse points. It is advisable to carry out a skin patch test before using the perfume.

Nail Perfection

Use on dry cuticles and nails as required

4 Tablespoon pure olive oil
6 Tablespoons jojoba oil
4 Tablespoons evening primrose oil
6 Tablespoons vitamin E
6 Tablespoon wheat germ oil
12 drops roman chamomile essential oil

Warm the carrier oils, and when almost cool add the essential oil.
Stir well using a sterilized spatula and pour into sterilized containers.
Before use shake well.
Keep in the fridge during the hot weather.

Aromatherapy Perfume—Alcohol Based

2 teaspoon vodka
¾ teaspoon distilled water
30 drops of essential oil (or blend of essential oil) of choice

Again, blend together the above ingredients and store the mixture in a small, dark, airtight glass container or bottle. With alcohol based perfumes, you should leave the blend to settle for a couple of weeks, making sure you shake the bottle at least once every day to mix the oils, and then filter (using a coffee filter is fine) and rebottle. Always test the perfume recipe on a small patch of skin, before using in case of irritation.

Joyous Cocoa Butter Massage Bars

Solid massage bars are made with cocoa butter and when massaged over the skin they melt (cocoa butter melts at skin temperature). This provides excellent lubrication for a great massage.

80g cocoa butter
20g coconut oil
30 drops bergamot essential oil
18 drops geranium essential oil
12 drops clary sage essential oil

Melt the coca butter with the coconut oil.
Add the drops of essential oil, stir then pour the mixture into chocolate moulds to make them look enticing.
Put into the fridge to harden.
Store the massage bars in the fridge in case they melt in the heat.

Homemade Body Glitter

Body glitter is a fun, safe makeup accessory for preteens and teenagers. Or add a bit of sparkle to your make-believes, little fairy or princes. But why pay a lot, when you can customize and make you own? Also, this is a great party craft idea.

Unmedicated aloe vera gel
Very fine glitter in the colour of your choice
Essential oil in the scent of your choice (optional)

Add ½ teaspoon of very fine glitter to 3 Tablespoon of the aloe vera gel. If desired, add 1 drop of essential oil. Stir until blended and store at room temperature in a small, airtight container or jar.

Note: some people are sensitive to essential oils, I suggest testing body glitter on inside of arm, before applying to face. Do not use near eyes.

Make your own Lip Balm

2 Tablespoon sweet almond oil
½oz beeswax
3 or 4 drops essential oil of your choice
Saucepan, an empty food can (wash & dried), a wooden stir stick, paper cup and 4 containers

Squeeze the rim of the food can to form a spout. Measure the almond oil into the empty food can and add the beeswax. Sit the can into the saucepan and carefully pour 1—1½ inches of water into the saucepan, making sure not to get any in the oil and beeswax mixture.
Heat the saucepan on the stove over medium heat. Stir the mixture occasionally until the beeswax is completely melted. Pour ¼ of the mixture into the cup and add the essential oil. Mix thoroughly. While still in a liquid state, pour into one of the ½oz containers. Repeat with rest of the mixture. Allow to cool.

Tea Tree Foot Powder

2 drops of tea tree oil
2 drops rosemary essential oil
2 Tablespoon arrowroot powder

Add oils to the powder, stir until the oil is thoroughly mixed in, and then dust onto feet before putting on your socks.

Home Made Cuticle Cream

3 Tablespoon Paraffin
½ cup mineral oil
1 Tablespoon coconut oil
1 Tablespoon glycerine

Using a double boiler method, pan in pan slowly heat the paraffin with the mineral and coconut oils.
Keep stirring until it is well blended, add the glycerine and remove from the heat then allow the mix to cool, store in airtight jars or containers.

Gentleman’s Favourite Morning Splash

This is a refreshing facial toner and splash for men with oily to normal and not sensitive or dry skin. The essential oils act to brace and tone the skin, while also providing a masculine aroma, and the glycerine is a skin smoother.

Makes approx. 7oz

4oz witch hazel
2oz sparkling mineral water
½oz vodka or pure grain alcohol
½oz glycerine
10 drops bergamot essential oil
10 drops pimento berry essential oil
10 drops sandalwood essential oil
10 drops cinnamon essential oil

Combine all ingredients together in a glass bottle with a tight fitting lid and shake well. Remember that you can use less essential oils than called for, or you can omit them altogether.
To use: apply the toner to a cotton pad and massage over clean skin. O the alternative, pour a little into your palm and pat gently over skin. Use a soft cloth to absorb any excess. You can follow with a light moisturiser.
The alcohol in this recipe prevents most separation from occurring but you still may wish to shake it a little before using.

Anti—Itch Spray

For 125ml bottle
Spray this combination of essential oils on itchy skin as needed.

2 Tablespoon (30ml) witch hazel
25 drops lavender essential oil
15 drops eucalyptus essential oil
4 drops peppermint essential oil
½ cup (125ml) minus 2 Tablespoon (30ml) distilled water

Add essential oils to the witch hazel, mix, add water, and pour into spray bottle. Shake before use.

Vapor Balm

For lung congestion a salve or a massage oil containing essential oils can be rubbed over the chest, back and throat. The oils will be absorbed through the skin and lungs as the vapour is inhaled. Place a flannel fabric on the chest after rubbing in the oil to increase warmth.

3 teaspoon peppermint essential oil
3 teaspoon eucalyptus essential oil
1 teaspoon thyme essential oil
1 cup olive oil

Warm olive oil over very low heat. Cool a bit, add essential oils, and stir. (Be sure to keep your face away from the oils as you stir them in). Allow hardening. Store at room temperature.