Balms
Tips for Making Balms
If you intend to make your Balm using freshly collected plants, you will want to clean them first. Do this by shaking them to remove dirt then spread the herbs out to allow them to air dry for several hours (until wilted) to reduce the moisture content. Any herb that contains a lot of moisture could cause your Balm to spoil or even mold. For this reason I, myself, prefer to use dried herbs in my oil to avoid contamination and excessive moisture which may cause such spoilage.
Once you add your wax you will want to test to see if your Balm is the right consistancy. To do a simple test I dip a spoon into the mixture and set it in the freezer for a minute or two. You might also try is dipping the spoon into ice water for a few moments. If your Balm is too soft, add more beeswax and if it is too hard add a little more carrier oil.
You will want to pour your Balm into sterilized containers and label them accordingly. You may sterilize by simply washing in very hot water in the dishwasher with a detergent containing bleach or by using bleach in the rinse water if washing by hand. Air dry to avoid re-contaminating your containers and again causing premature spoilage.
Do not add any essential oils when your base oil is very very hot-it may very well destroy them in the process.
Be sure pans are non-metal such as glass or porcelin If you must use metal pans or utensils be sure they are not made of aluminum and they are not coated with a non-stick surface.
To add vitamin E, poke a hole in the capsule with a pin and squeeze out the contents. Discard the capsule.
Be careful when using some essential oils and even carrier oils. They can cause allergic reactions. For instance those who are allergic to nuts should be careful and avoid using almond oil or any other oil derived from nuts including peanut and walnut oils. Be sure when selling or giving gifts of balms to label them with all ingredients to avoid someone having a life threatening reaction.
You really should heat your oils and waxes over hot water in a double boiler. I admit that I do not- BAD!! Bad Dawn! Do not do as I do-do as I say! ;)
Be very sure your containers are made for pouring hot liquids into. Many are not and there is nothing worse than spending a month making a lovely oil and getting your balm made and having your containers crack and spill it all over the counter top!
Proportions for beeswax are approximate. If you want a harder or softer balm add or subtract from your recipe accordingly.
You can also soften balm a bit by adding borax and water. The borax acts as an emulsifier and will allow the water and oil to mix rather than separate. I use 1 teaspoon of borax in 1 cup of water. Do not add the whole cup of water to your recipe! Add a few drops or a quarter teaspoon at a time at the most and then test your consistency. Keep doing this until it reaches the desired level. It will cause your balm to harden quickly so do this last.
The recipes below are provided for informational purposes alone and any use of these items is done solely at the discretion and risk of the individual using them. No claims or guarantees are made as to their effectiveness or safety. If you choose to use any oil here on the skin it would be wise to first apply a small amount to the inside of your elbow and wait 24 hours to check for reactions. If you are on any pharmaceutical medications or have a serious medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, consult your health care provider before using anything that you do not normally use, including herbs and over the counter medications.
Basics
The basics of making a Balm are to extract the beneficial properties of herbs in oil, then add beeswax to harden the oil. You may also add other ingredients such as essential oils, or even flavorings in the case of making lip balms. In some recipes the process of infusing oils is skipped entirely and essential oils are used on their own with various carrier oils.
For each recipe below that does use herbs you will infuse your oil first. To learn more about infusing oils please see How to Infuse Oils. I like to leave my herbs to infuse on their own for at least one full moon cycle. Others may wish to use heat for a more rapid infusion.
Depending on the freshness and the type of herbs you are using you may wish to strain the oil and add more herbs once or twice. This is entirely up to you. I find that by using very fresh herbs in generous quantities that I do not need to do this. I also use essential oils in my balms very often, however, so you may wish to do the strain and add method if you choose to leave the essential oils out of the balm you are making.
Once your oil is ready you will melt your solid oils and any wax you are using in a pan over very low heat. Next add your infused oil and test for hardness as explained in the tips below. Cool slightly and add essential oils if you are using them. Pour into containers and label and you are all set. :)
HEALING BALM FOR BABY
by Dawn
4 oz of calendula petals
4 oz of comfrey root
4 oz of chickweed
1 cup of olive, sweet almond oil or other carrier oil
1 vitamin E capsule
2 oz beeswax
MOMMY-TO-BE's BELLY BALM
by Dawn
5 oz carrier oil such as sweet almond or apricot kernel infused with 1 oz Frankincense
1 oz emu oil
3 Tablesppons Beeswax
2 oz cocoa butter
10 drops lavendar essential oil
10 drops Palma Rosa essential oil
LIP BALM RECIPE #1:
2 Teaspoons Olive Oil
1/2 Teaspoon Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1/2 Teaspoon Shea Butter or Cocoa Butter
1/2 Teaspoon Honey
Any Flavored Oil To Taste
1 Vitamin E Capsule (optional)
LIP BALM RECIPE #2:
3 oz. Almond Oil
2 Teaspoons Honey
1/2 oz. Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1 Vitamin E Capsule
1-4 Drops Essential Oil (peppermint or tea tree or sweet orange, lavender)
LIP BALM RECIPE #3:
2 Teaspoons Grated Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
3 - 6 Drops Flavored Oil
1 Teaspoon Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil or mix 1/2 and 1/2
3 Drops Honey
1 1/2 Teaspoon Cocoa Butter
1 Vitamin E Capsule
LIP BALM RECIPE #4:
This one is positively excellent for dry, cracked lips - even helps heal cold sores
1 oz. Emu Oil
1 oz. Almond Oil
1 oz. Avocado Oil
1/2 oz. Shaved Beeswax or Beeswax Pellets
1/4 oz. Aloe Gold (with Beta Carotene)
6 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
2 Drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
3 Drops Lime Essential Oil
LIP BALM RECIPE #5
1 oz beeswax
8 oz. sweet almond or carrier oil of your choice
15 - 20 drops essential oil or flavoring oil of your choice
2 Vitamin E capsules
CHOCOLATE LIP BALM
1 teaspoon grated undeoderized cocoa butter
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/8 teaspoon vitaimin E oil
1 teaspoon grated chocolate or 3 small chocolate chips
HEAL EVERYTHING BALM
by Dawn
2 tsp powered Myrrh
2 tbs Beeswax
2 tsp Comfrey root
2 tbs liquid Lecithin
2 tsp Chamomile
2 tbs Honey
2 tsp Lavendar
Infuse in:
3/4 cup carrier oil
essential oils:
10 drops lavendar
5 drops tea tree
2 drops rosemary
1 vitamin E capsule
2 oz beeswax
BALM FOR CALLOUSES
by Sunny McCarty 6-1-98
This balm works wonderfully on callouses for feet or hands and makes a great softner for heels, ankles and elbows, as well.
Fills a 4oz container.
50 ml olive oil (not pomace)
25 ml avocado oil
12.5 ml jojoba oil
2.5 ml vitamin e oil
5 ml emu oil
1/4 oz beeswax (a bit more if you want a harder consistency)
4 drops lavender eo
4 drops rosemary eo
This balm is very oily. But it's the oils that moisturize. It's best used when going to bed, applied semi liberally. But applied in minute amounts, it will soak in completely after about 5 min or so.
