Originally published April 24 2010
Make Homemade Natural Foot Balm, Splash-Ons and Hand Cream
by Fleur Hupston
(NaturalNews) Why waste money on commercially made bath and spa products which are expensive and contain harmful, synthetic chemicals? Try some easy recipes at home - the resultant products are a natural way to smell and feel delightful.
Honeysuckle Foot Balm with Beeswax
Beeswax is obtained by melting empty honeycombs. It gives foot balms a creamy consistency and a hint of honey fragrance. Beeswax applied to the skin helps to prevent skin dehydration and in foot balms, it prevents cracked, dry heels. In addition, the propolis can aid in healing minor infections.
A basic foot balm can be made with 1/3 cup each of beeswax, cocoa butter and almond oil combined with 2 tablespoons rosewater or an essential oil such as honeysuckle or jasmine.
Method:
Heat the beeswax and cocoa butter over a low heat. Do not allow to scorch or burn. Once melted, add the oils and continue to gently heat up until the oils and wax have combined and the solution is runny. Remove from the heat and add the rosewater or essential oil. Pour into a clean glass jar and allow to cool completely. The mixture will harden as it cools.
Chamomile Hand Cream
Chamomile is believed to soften hands. To prepare a chamomile infusion, pour boiling water over a quarter of a cup of chamomile flowers and allow to steep until cool. Strain and use as required.
1 tablespoon cocoa butter
1/4 cup vitamin E cream
3 tablespoons strong chamomile infusion
Method:
Gently melt cocoa butter in a small saucepan over a low heat. Remove and allow to cool; then, whisk in vitamin E cream and the chamomile infusion. Continue to whisk until mixture cools and begins to thicken. Pour into a glass jar and seal. Makes about a quarter cup of hand cream.
Spicy Splash-On
For a clean, spicy smell that will last throughout the day, try applying a splash on right after you get out of the shower. The splash-on makes a great home-made gift for men.
5 cinnamon sticks
1 tablespoon cloves
1 liter boiling water
2 tablespoons vodka
Method:
Place cinnamon and cloves in a glass jar and pour boiling water over the spices. Allow to cool; when lukewarm add the vodka, stir and seal. Allow to steep for 2 days; then, discard the spices. Pour liquid into a bottle and seal. Makes about 1 liter of splash on.
Floral Toilet Water
"Toilet water" does not sound as romantic as the French term "eau de toilette". Toilet water refers to a scented liquid used as a skin freshener. It is a refreshing and pleasantly fragrant, scented water that works wonders when sprayed on a hot, tired body.
2 cups fresh flower petals (roses, lavender, violets or a mixture of fragrant flower petals)
1 liter boiling water
2 tablespoons vodka
Method:
Fill a glass jar with flower petals and cover with boiling water. Allow to cool before adding the vodka; then, cover and cool completely. Strain through muslin, discard petals and pour into small spray bottles. Keep out of direct sunlight. This makes a delightful spray-on for ladies who are out in the hot sun and need to refresh every now and again.
Sources:
http://www.draperbee.com/info/propolis.htm
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/creams.htm
http://www.essentialoils.co.za/creams.htm
About the author
Fleur Hupston is a professional freelance writer. She is passionate about natural, healthy living and is currently studying to be a naturopath. She divides her time between writing for Natural News and various other sites, home schooling her children and studying part time.
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