Body Butter In the Extreme

One of the things you realize quickly once you start using Essential Oils and researching healthy alternatives, is that you can formulate different items you usually buy in stores, with who knows what in them, but in a healthy and even beneficial way.

Body butters are very easy to make.  You need to make sure to keep your proportion of solid oils and butters and liquid oil to 3:1.  I say solid oils, because Organic Coconut Oil is solid at room temperature and for this purpose is considered a solid.  For every 1 1/2 cups of solid butter or oil, add 1/2 cup of a liquid oil.  The liquid can be any that you choose.  Use a skin nourishing oil.  Olive oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, grape seed oil, or safflower oil will work fine as will many others.  Then add a teaspoon of Vitamin E.  That’s it, except for the essential oil of your choice which should be added after cooling before whipping stage.

There is a trick in keeping your butters from being gritty.  Keep the oils in the double boiler on very low heat after they melt for 20 minutes.  In fact please remove the word boil from your consciousness.  The butters should never “boil.”  We buy raw butters for a reason.  Don’t cook it out. You may have to wait longer, but keep your heat very low.  Most butters will melt at just above room temperature, all become liquid at around 90 degrees.  Be patient.

After the 20 minutes, put the top of the double boiler in ice water and wait for it to cool slightly.  When you start to see it solidify on the sides of the bowl, it’s time to get busy with your mixer.  Leave it in the ice water while you do this.  It speeds the process.  Add the Essential Oils of your choice, and beat it up like you’re making frosting. Scrape the sides of the bowl to keep the solidifying butters involved in the process.  It’s easy to beat, begins to solidify as you beat, and begins to look like frosting.

Mango butter is white.  It is made from the seed of the mango, so don’t expect it to smell like mango.  That was a disappointment.  However it is pretty much unscented, so whatever oil you put in it will not be overpowered.  It has some skin protective qualities where sun is concerned, so I was not concerned making a body butter with Citrus Bliss, a heavenly blend of Citrus oils with a little vanilla, that is usually referred to as Invigorating Blend.

Citrus Bliss is a a mood supportive blend of oils that helps to energize you and lift your spirits. There are UV cautions after application but in this case, in its diluted quantity in the Mango Butter which naturally protects your skin from sunburn, it should not be an issue.

Combine these in the top of a double boiler over low heat:
1 Cup of Raw Mango Butter (get it here http://www.amazon.com/Mango-Butter-White-Raw-Lb/dp/B00AEIVIGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427568014&sr=8-1&keywords=mango+butter
1/2 Cup Organic Coconut Butter (I get it at BJ’s but it’s available everywhere, including Amazon).
1/2 Cup of liquid oil of your choice. Use cold pressed.
1 tsp. Raw Organic Vitamin E (optional).

Once the oil melts (and this could take a while, but be patient-you don’t want to cook out all of the good stuff), let it stay over the heat for 20 minutes.  After 20 minutes, take the top of the double boiler and set it in a bowl of ice water.  Don’t let any water get into the oils.

After about 15 or 20 minutes you’ll start to see a layer of solids on the outside of the bowl.  Now add about 30-40 drops of Citrus Bliss (or the oil of your choice which you can get here: http://www.mydoterra.com/sharonbwilbur/#/ .  Stop adding when it smells the way you want it to.  Scrape the sides of the bowl with your spoon and start beating.  Once it’s the consistency of creamy frosting, it’s time to load it into your jars.  This recipe will fill almost four 4 oz jars.

Hints: You can replace the Mango Butter with Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, or any butter as long as you keep those proportions.  They do have more of a scent, so might need more Essential Oil to get your desired result.

Happy buttering!

 

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Sleep

This essential oil recipe was given to me by my mother when I desperately needed to relax and get some sleep.  I am not sure of its origin but I feel I should pass it along.  The scent is heavenly, relaxing and knocks you out.  Just lovely.  Give it a try.  This mixture of oils goes a long way in relaxing your mind and body and nudging you off to a restful sleep.

The Sleep Bomb:
10 drops Lavender
6 drops of Vetiver
4 drops Ylang Ylang

Combine all oils together, I triple this recipe for a dropper bottle, mix will and add 4-5 drops in an ultrasonic diffuser.  If you don’t have Ylang Ylang, you could try Clary Sage in its place.  Still lovely, still calming and still a sedative.

You can also mix these oils in a roller bottle with FCO and apply to the bottoms of your feet or to your chest.

As always, only use the highest quality essential oils.  Neither this recipe nor how it affects the mind and body have been evaluated by the FDA.  If you have a medical issue or are taking medications, please discuss these oils with a doctor before using.  Lavender, Vetiver and Ylang Ylang are GRAS essential oils.

You can purchase these oils here if you wish: http://www.mydoterra.com/stephaniegorman

Autumn Scents and Comfort With Essential Oils

Fall is here.  Thoughts turn to apple pie, pumpkin spice, and warmth of home and hearth.  A doTERRA recipe I saw on Facebook for a diffuser scent invokes all of those feelings, and may provide additional benefits.

Diffusers used with essential oils should be ultrasonic or cool steam type.  Heat can change the components of essential oils, losing some of the benefits.  I get mine at Amazon.  There are several types of diffusers available.

I mix this recipe in a small amber glass bottle so that I have it ready.  It really is something you’ll want to use again and again.  It’s diffusing in the living room right now, and the scent is heavenly.

Autumn Scents:

•   2 drops Cassia
•   2 drops Patchouli
•   2 drops Wild Orange

Cassia is in the Laurel family and is closely related to Cinnamon.  The scent is similar but stronger.  It can be irritating to mucous membranes so usually needs to be combined with other oils, or diluted with a carrier oil if using topically.   Cassia is warming and can be soothing to aching muscles and joints (dilute with fractionated coconut oil). It is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral.  It has historically been used for many ailments and is generally considered safe for consumption, but only in a diluted state because of possible sensitivity.  If you add a drop or two with lemon to your water, it can settle your stomach and help to reduce hunger cravings. It should not be used with children under 6 or while pregnant or nursing.

From the Mint family, Patchouli’s scent is sweet and musky.  It is said to have many health properties and may even work as insect repellant.  It can be grounding and balancing to the emotions when used in aromatherapy and is frequently used for wounds, tissue repair, or other skin conditions such as wrinkles, scars and stretch marks when used topically.  It can can be used aromatically, topically and can be taken internally, but not by children under 6 and further dilution is recommended for children older than 6.  Consult your doctor if pregnant or nursing.

Wild Orange is from the Citrus family.  Its scent is similar to an orange held up to the nose.  It can be used to cleanse and purify both surfaces when diluted to make a multipurpose spray, or the air if diffused.  When diffused it is uplifting and energizing.  It contains powerful antioxidants making it valuable for overall health.  It also may have benefits against seasonal threats.  I often add a drop to my water as a flavoring agent.  It can’t hurt right?  It can be diffused, used topically or taken internally, but not for children under 6 and should be diluted for children older than 6. If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult your doctor.  If used topically, avoid sunlight or UV rays for 12 hours.

No essential oils should be taken internally unless they are 100% pure therapeutic grade.  It sometimes takes tons of material to yield a pound of essential oil.  Some sellers use additives so be cautious about sources.  I trust doTERRA, and this is a great source:  http://www.mydoterra.com/sharonbwilbur/

Any health benefits mentioned above have not been evaluated by the FDA, and if you have medical conditions you should always consult your doctor before taking anything medicinally to assure there are no harmful interactions with medication you are taking.