Beautiful Body Care

It is easy to forget that the skin is the body’s largest
organ, and that each pore breathes - bridging the
outside environment and the interior self.The skin has 3 main functions: to insulate and protect the body against invasion by bacteria and other
foreign things; to sense touch, pressure, heat, cold,and pain; and to help control body temperature by distributing heat through the skin and by preventing
dehydration. On average women put over 200 different chemicals on to their bodies a day solely through cosmetic products. What many people don’t know is that these chemicals have a direct impact on the inner workings of the body because
anything that we put on to the skin goes within. Many of these chemicals have been linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, liver damage, and a whole host
of other symptoms. For more information about the chemicals to avoid look to www.davidsuzuki.org/dirtydozen.
One of the best ways to avoid harmful toxins masked in body care products is to make your own. This way you can know what is going in it, and where that
product came from. Making lotions, salves, soaps, bath salts, shampoos, and conditioners is empowering because it is simple, affordable, fun, and takes less time than baking a cake. When I make lotion I know that it is clean, and it is a unique expression of creativity which brings me joy and satisfaction each time I use
it. Each creation is a marriage of flower infusions,spring water, the welcoming scent of bees wax, and the nourishing and pleasing sensation of skin renewed
and glowing from this kitchen alchemy. There is a kind of magic to it, one that can never be replaced by designer fragrances or promises of youth immortal.

Originally published in the Kootenay Country Store Co-operative November 2010Newsletter


This recipe was published in Herbs for Health magazine and is an excellent all-purpose skin cream created by the radiant herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. I have adapted recipe this many times over. To get funky with it use the basic premise of emulsifying equal parts oil and water mixtures (both at the same room temperature), to create adventurous and lovely creams.

Ingredients

WATERS

2/3 cup distilled water--OR distilled rosewater or
-- orange flower water)
1/3 cup aloe vera gel
1 - 2 drops essential oil of choice
Vitamins A and E as desired

OILS

3/4 cup apricot, almond or grape seed oil
1/3 cup coconut oil or cocoa butter
1/2 - 1 oz grated beeswax

Directions

1. Combine distilled water, aloe vera gel, essential oil and vitamins in a glass measuring cup. (Tap water can be used but it will sometimes introduce bacteria and encourage the growth of mold.) Set aside.

2. In a double boiler over low heat, combine remaining ingredients. Heat just enough to melt.

3. Pour oils into a blender and let cool to room temperature. The mixture should become thick, creamy, semisolid and cream coloured. This cooling process can be hastened in the refrigerator, but keep an eye on it so it doesn't get too hard.

4. When cooled, turn blender on the highest speed. In a slow, thin drizzle pour the water mixture into the center vortex.

5. When most of the water mixture has been added to the oils, listen to the blender and watch the cream. When the blender coughs and chokes, and the cream looks thick and white like butter cream frosting, turn off the blender. You can slowly add more water, beating it in by hand with a spoon, but don't over beat! The cream will thicken as it sets.

6. Pour into into cream or lotion jars. Store in a cool place.

The above is the basic recipe but you can get more detailed information about making this cream and ingredient properties in Rosemary's handy book "Herbs for Natural Beauty". This inexpensive book is a must have for anyone interested in making their own cosmetics.

Note: Do not use this or any other aloe-based product on staph or strep infections as aloe will promote the infection.