Happy exam season, students of the parts of the world that still operate school according to an agrarian calendar! You know you what need? A little something to help you breathe. This salve does just that. It’s got lavender in it, which is nice and calming. And since it’s a salve, just the act of rubbing it into your skin can is like a tiny massage.
Originally, I named this salve “Chill Out!” because I thought it was funny. Then realized that giving someone some goo with a name that suggests that they’re too high strung isn’t really very nice. Instead, I went with “Tranquila” which means pretty much the same thing, but doesn’t immediately suggest that I’m an asshole.
Lavender Salve
Materials
- Pot
- Pyrex measuring cup
- Rag
- Scale
- Container for storage
Ingredients
In the spreadsheet blow, make your own copy in google drive (“File” > “Make a copy” > “OK”). Enter the amount of lotion (in grams) you want to make in the pink box and the spreadsheet will auto-calculate ingredient amounts for you.
The second tab, “Price,” will calculate price of the final product based on the ingredient sources that I use.
- Coconut oil acts as a nicely-scented carrier oil.
- Beeswax turns the oil into a salve.
- Lavender oil is calming.
Instructions
- Create a double boiler by placing the rag in the bottom of the pot (so that your glass measuring cup doesn’t rattle), filling the pot part way full with water, and placing the glass measuring cup in the water. Put this contraption on the stove.
- Measure out your beeswax and coconut oil (but not lavender oil yet!) and pour them into the glass measuring cup. I think the easiest way to do this is to place the glass measuring cup on the scale, tare the scale, add the beeswax, tare the scale, and then add the oil.
- Place the glass measuring up back in the water in the pot on the stove (that’s a mouthful) and stir until all the beeswax melts.
- Remove the glass measuring cup from the pot and add the lavender oil. Stir and immediate pour into a container.
Use
Lavender oil has all kinds of uses. It’s well-known for it’s calming properties and can be used for headaches, insomnia, and itching. I’ve also found it useful when I’ve had stomaches.
- Insomnia
- Stress
- Restlessness
- Headache
- Dry skin
- Itching
- Insect bites
- Mild burns (sunburns)
- Stomach aches
You can rub it directly on the area bothering you (e.g. your skin if it’s dry and itchy or your temples when you have a headache), on your chest, your feet or even under your nose so that the scent hangs out around your nose to remind your body that it’s there.
If you’re pregnant, make sure you check with a doctor before using anything that contains essential oils.
Mamoot 