MAKING A MEDICATED LOTION

Well my pretties, it’s time to burrow out of the hole we’ve dug ourselves into in the darkest time of the year.  Why not use some of last summer’s dried lovelies for a soothing and warming body lotion to kick off the returning of light in late winter?

ROSE AND CALENDULA LOTION

almond oil – 3/4 cup (substitute other vegetable oil)

rose petals – handful dried (substitute other dried herb)

distilled water – 1 cup

calendula flowers – handful dried (substitute other dried herb)

bee’s wax – ½ ounce

rose essential oil – 1-3 drops (substitute other essential oil)

1. Make an oil infusion of rose petals:

a) Crumble rose petals in a small pot and cover with almond oil, stirring to ensure all petals are coated;

b) Place the uncovered pot on a hotplate on low or in an oven at the lowest possible setting and heat for 2-4 hours, stirring every 15-30 minutes to coat herbs and prevent charring;

c) Strain the rose-almond oil infusion into another small pot and return to low heat;

2. Make a water infusion of calendula flowers:

Calendula officinalis

a) Pour a cup of boiling distilled water over crumbled calendula flowers in a teapot and infuse for 10-15 minutes;

b) Strain the hot calendula-water infusion into a blender;

3. Make an oil and bee’s wax emulsion:

Rose-calendula emulsion (double recipe)

a) Add bee’s wax to the oil and stir occasionally until melted;

b) Turn the blender to high and slowly dribble the hot oil into the swirling tea.  Add the oil drop-by-drop over several minutes until the mixture thickens into an emulsion, then thoroughly blend in the rest of the oil;

c) If desired, add 1-3 drops of rose essential oil and blend until thoroughly mixed;

d) Pour the warm emulsified lotion into suitable jars and allow it to cool before putting on a lid;

e) Pour off any water that separates out of the lotion before use.