Stocking Stuffers Moisturizing Body Oils and Bath Salts

Moisturizing Body Oils and Bath Salts

Treat someone you love to these wonderful body oils and bath salts this holiday season.

Lavender Body Oil
Makes three 4-ounce bottles

Ingredients
4 cups jojoba seed or avocado seed oil
1 pound dried herbs, flowers, or leaves, such as yarrow flowers, plantain leaves, or dandelion leaves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon organic essential oil of lavender flowers, clary sage flowers, rosemary stems, or grapefruit peel

Lavender Body Oil How-To
1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees.

2. Place base oil and herbs in a 6-cup casserole dish with a lid; stir until herbs are submerged. Cover and transfer casserole to oven for 4 to 8 hours, stirring every hour to ensure that herbs do not burn.

3. Set a fine-mesh sieve lined with cheesecloth over a large heatproof glass measuring cup. Strain herb mixture into measuring cup, squeezing cheesecloth to remove liquid; discard solids.

4. Clean casserole dish and dry completely. Pour strained liquid into casserole dish and stir in essential oil. Cover and let stand 24 hours. If fragrance is not strong enough, add another teaspoon of essential oil; let stand, covered, 8 hours more.

5. Using a funnel, divide liquid evenly between three 4-ounce bottles and cover.


Bath Salts
Makes three 16-ounce jars




Ingredients
4 tablespoons jojoba seed or avocado seed oil
1 tablespoon organic essential oil of lavender flowers, clary sage flowers, rosemary stems, or grapefruit peel
6 pounds coarse sea salt

Bath Salts How-To
1. In a small bowl, stir base and essential oils together to combine.

2. Place 3 tablespoons in a large bowl; add salt and stir until well coated. Reserve remaining oil mixture for another use.

3. Divide mixture evenly between three 16-ounce jars and cover. Add this bath salts label to your jars for some decorative flare.

Herbs
When herbs are combined, there is a synergistic effect; they work together, making a stronger, more healing potion than the sum of their parts, and can be used in wonderful beauty products such as these body oil and bath salts.

Yarrow
Yarrow has a long history as a powerful healing herb used topically for wounds, cuts, and abrasions. The botanical name is achillea millafolium and is named after the Greek hero Achilles, who would heal his wounds with it according to legend. Anti-inflammatory Yarrow is used for the treatment of wounds and sores because of its astringent, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties. Because of the content of Azulene, Yarrow oil is used for skin-care purposes in the treatment of acne, eczema, and inflammation, to minimize varicose veins, and to reduce scars.

Plantain
Plantain has a cooling effect on burns and sunburns; it has astringent properties and can help stop bleeding from minor wounds and cuts. It also helps ease the effects of bites, stings, and rashes from Stinging Nettle; and aids in poison ivy itch-relief.

Dandelion
Dandelion has been used to treat warts, acne, and age spots.

Calendula Flower
These flowers contain antiseptic, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties that promote healing. Calendula is used topically to treat acne, reduce inflammation, control bleeding and sooth irritated tissue.

Burdock Root
Burdock root oil extract, also called Bur oil, is popular in Europe as a scalp treatment applied to improve hair strength, shine, and body, help reverse scalp conditions such as dandruff, and combat hair loss.

Yellow Dock Root
This root enhances bile production to break down fatty foods, improves the flow of bile and other digestive juices, acts as a mild diuretic and laxative to help flush out toxins, provides iron and promotes its absorption for optimal blood health, supports the bladder, kidney, and liver function, and helps reduce bowel inflammation and irritation.

Sage
Native to the Mediterranean, sage has been valued for centuries for its culinary and medicinal qualities. In fact, its name is derived from the Latin word meaning "to heal." A member of the mint family, its silvery-grayish-green leaves have a spicy, somewhat bitter flavor.

Comfrey
Comfrey is used to treat a wide variety of ailments, ranging from bronchial problems, broken bones, sprains, arthritis, gastric and varicose ulcers, severe burns, acne, and other skin conditions.

Resources
Special thanks to landscape designer and creator of the all-natural You Be Healthy skincare line, Michael Blake, for sharing these wonderful Handmade Holiday gifts. Get more information on the best herbs for women's health and DIY spa treatments.