To wrap up Chamomile Week in the #WildFolkFlowerLibrary, I thought I'd share a fun little DIY project that you can do at home - Chamomile Lotion Bars! If you're anything like me, your skin is dry, red and flaky during the winter. No matter how much lotion I apply, it always seems to be DRY. I use my Calendula Soothe-All stick and Immortelle Salves year-round to combat dry skin, but I wanted to try creating a lotion bar with chamomile to take advantage of its calming constituents which are perfect to relieve dry itchy skin. Plus, it gave me the perfect excuse to use this silicone flower mold I've had in my studio! Find the recipe below - enjoy!
CHAMOMILE LOTION BARS
1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 gm dried chamomile flowers
1 gm dried calendula flowers
1 gm dried yarrow flowers
2 gm dried elderflowers
3 tbsp unrefined shea butter
1/2 cup beeswax
10 drops chamomile essential oil
10 drops frankincense essential oil
10 drops helichrysum essential oil
5 drops ho wood essential oil
2 drops tea tree essential oil
Place the flowers in a heat-proof glass container, such as a 2 cup pyrex measuring cup. Cover the flowers with olive oil and coconut oil. Create a DIY double boiler, using a glass measuring cup and saucepan by placing your measuring cup into the saucepan and fill the saucepan with water just up to the halfway point on the measuring cup. Bring the water to a low simmer, being careful not to boil it. Once the water begins to bubble, turn off the heating element and allow the herbs to steep in the oils for 2 hours or longer. Once the flowers are finished steeping into the oils, strain the plant matter and reserve the oils.
In a clean heat-proof container, mix the flower oil, shea butter and beeswax. Place back into the double boiler. Stir the ingredients to fully blend them. Keep stirring until they melt completely then remove from the double boiler. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add the essential oils. Stir to combine.
Pour into your silicone mold and allow it to cool completely before removing. Store lotion bars in waxed paper or metal tin.