Herbs have magnificent healing powers and can be used to treat many serious yet common ailments and to boost your health.
Sidebar

Making Aromatherapy Products

If you hate shopping, consider making your own simple holiday gifts. Essential oils can be easily incorporated into lotions, bath salts, massage oils & potpourris.

Start simple:

Buy unscented body lotion, plastic 4oz. containers & some nice labels.

Mix 8 drops of an essential oil or blend of your choice into each ounce of unscented body lotion.

Put a nice label on a 4oz. bottle, fill with scented lotion & you have a personalized gift.

Bath salts require an equal amount of Epsom salts and fine sea salt.

For each Tbls. of salt mix, put in 8 drops of your favorite essential oil.

Stir with a chopstick & let the oils absorb into the salt for about 30 minutes.

Pour into glass jars.

Label with directions: Use 1-2 Tbls. per bath.

Heavenly!

Salt & sugar scrubs are made the same way as bath salts with the addition of an equal amount of carrier oil added to the jars. So if you use 2oz. of salt, add 2oz. of jojoba or sweet almond oil to the jar. Label with instructions: dampen skin, massage salt or sugar scrub gently all over the body & rinse well. Scent potpourri with a few drops of essential oil & pack into cello-bags. Tie with a colorful ribbon.

These formulas are for each Tbls. of bath salts or each ounce of body lotion. Remember don't use irritating oils like cinnamon bark in your blends. Be sure to label with directions: use 1-2 Tbls. of scented salt per bath.

Relaxation Blend:

  • 2 drops Bergamot
  • 5 drops Lavender, 1 drop Mandarin

Romance Blend:

  • 1 drop Jasmine
  • 6 drops Rosewood
  • 1 drop Ylang ylang

De-stress Blend:

  • 2 drops Clary sage
  • 1 drop Geranium
  • 4 drops Lavender

Muscle soother:

  • 5 drops Lavender
  • 2 drops Eucalyptus
  • 1 drop Rosemary

Wake-up blend:

  • 1 drop Lime
  • 4 drops Petitgrain
  • 1 drop Rosemary
  • 1 drop Spearmint

For more advanced and sophisticated aromatherapy recipes, try one of these.

Lavender Air Freshener
Combine 2T. Vodka, 1/2 tsp. lavender oil with 3 cups distilled water. Shake well. Put in mister for a relaxing air freshener. It can also be misted on clean sheets for a restful sleep. (Vodka makes the essential oil blend into the water.)

Brown Sugar Facial Scrub
1+1/2 c. turbinado sugar
1/2 c. grape seed oil
1 tsp. glycerin
6 drops of rosewood essential oil
1/2 tsp. cranberry seeds
Thoroughly combine all ingredients. Place in a decorative jar for a wonderful facial scrub to use as often as necessary. Grape seed oil is a moisturizer. Use on dry skin.

White Sugar Facial Scrub
1+1/2 c. white sugar
2/3 c. grapeseed oil
1 tsp. glycerin
1/2 tsp. raspberry seeds
6 drops of nutmeg essential oil
Thoroughly combine all ingredients. Place in a decorative jar. Nutmeg is rejuvenating, uplifting and energizing. Use as often as desired.

Foot Soak
1+1/4 c. coarse sea salt
1+1/4 c. Epsom salts
1/4 c. baking soda
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/3 t. spearmint essential oil
Place all ingredients in a jar and shake to blend. Place 1 cup of mixed salts in warm water to soak feet and feel invigorated.