A few months ago, I was gifted the Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book from Herbal Academy and let me tell you, it is amazing! The book is filled with all kinds of recipes from bath salts and massage oils to handmade soaps and body creams.
The first thing I made from the book was the Honey Chamomile Lotion Bars. They are super easy to whip up and are incredible for your skin, plus they make such darling gifts for your friends and family.
As for the recipe, I swapped out the grapeseed oil for coconut oil since that is what I had on hand, and chose to scent my bars with a combination of rosemary, clove and melaleuca essential oils. This, in addition to the chamomile and calendula infused oil the recipe calls for, made for such wonderful, healing bars that smell delicious and leave your skin feeling pampered.
I hope you give them a try!
Honey Chamomile Lotion Bars
Ingredients:
6 Tbsp (3 fl oz) chamomile flower and calendula flower infused grapeseed oil
1/2 cup beeswax
1/2 cup shea butter
1 1/2 tsp raw honey
20-30 drops essential oil(s) of choice (optional)
Directions:
Make the chamomile and calendula infused oil using the instructions below. Note that 6 tablespoons is the amount of finished herbal oil to include in the recipe. You may need to start with more oil when making the herb-infused oil, as the herbs will soak up some of the oil (if you forget to do this, just top off with some plain oil as needed for this recipe).
Combine the herb- infused grapeseed oil, beeswax, and Shea butter in a double broiler over low heat (or a glass or ceramic bowl or canning jar over a small saucepan of simmering water), stirring occasionally until completely melted. Once melted, remove from heat and stir in honey, being thorough to stir until honey is completely incorporated (or it is prone to separate in the lotion bar).
Add essential oils (if using) and stir to combine.
Pour mixture into molds (I found mine on Amazon). Bars will Harden as they cool.
If honey does not stay mixed in the bar upon cooling, or if bar is too soft for your preference, gently remelt the bars and add a bit more beeswax.
Store in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
To use, rub a bar on the skin, letting the heat of your skin melt the lotion.
chamomile and calendula infused oil:
(Heated oil infusion directions)
The ratio is basically 1 ounce of dried herb to 12 ounces oil
I made a large jar of this oil so I would have extra to use for other purposes like spreading all over my body after a hot soak in the tub. I highly recommend it!
Place your dried herb in a heat safe glass such as a mason jar and cover with oil.
Seal the jar and place in a double broiler filled with 2-3 inches of water.
Heat on very low heat for 8 hours (or more), making sure oil does not get warmer than 120-140 degrees F (preferably 100-110 degrees F) and refilling water as necessary as it evaporates. When measuring the temperature of the oil, be sure not to introduce water into the oil jar!
Remove jar from double broiler and allow to cool.
Strain through cheesecloth and store in a clean jar in a cool, dark place