Calm Balm: Banish the January Blues with this soothing recipe

Creating balms, salves, and ointments empowers you to take control of your ingredients and tailor remedies for specific ailments. While these terms are often used interchangeably, each has its unique characteristics. Salves are primarily made from a blend of wax, infused herbal oil, and sometimes essential oils, resulting in a firm texture. On the other hand, balms are softer because they incorporate plant butters like shea or cocoa. It's essential to understand that salves should not be used on fresh burns or weepy skin, as they can trap moisture and heat, risking infection. The lack of water in these formulations allows salves to create a protective layer on the skin, enabling medicinal compounds to penetrate deeply and effectively.

Infusing sunflower oil is a fantastic way to extract fat-soluble ingredients from fresh and dried herbs. The infusion can be done using two methods: hot infusion, which involves simmering the oils for several hours, or cold infusion, which requires weeks of sunlight. In this instance, the hot infusion method is ideal, given the short days of January. Sunflower oil stands out as an excellent skin moisturizer. It acts as an emollient, adding hydration and a ceramide, helping prevent moisture loss. Importantly, sunflower oil is non-comedogenic and packed with antioxidants, making it an ideal carrier oil. It's derived from the seeds of the Helianthus plant, which are abundant in linoleic acid—an essential fatty acid critical for human health. When applied to the skin, linoleic acid enhances the skin barrier, protects against UV damage, and boosts moisture and hydration.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) is one of the most effective essential oils for alleviating skin conditions, burns, and cuts. Unlike many essential oils, lavender can often be applied undiluted. Historically, it was a widely used medicine in the late Middle Ages, praised by herbalist John Parkinson (1640) for its effectiveness in treating "all griefs and pains of the head and brain." Native to France and the western Mediterranean, lavender is now cultivated globally for its essential oil. It boasts impressive anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, and detoxifying properties, promoting rapid healing of minor cuts, scrapes, and rashes. Lavender's linalool content, a fragrant compound, offers powerful effects on the nervous system, including spasmolytic and sedative properties.

German chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) is a beautiful, aromatic annual that reaches up to 60 cm in height. Its finely cut leaves and daisy-like white flower heads are ready for harvest in midsummer. Chamomile contains spiroether, a strong antispasmodic that effectively eases tense muscles and menstrual pain. Topically, chamomile oil and extracts combat acne, hyperpigmentation, and redness while soothing sensitive skin. The flowers are rich in sesquiterpenes, particularly bisabolol and bisabolol oxides A and B, which reduce redness and inflammation, making them invaluable for conditions like rosacea, eczema, and rashes. Chamomile also has matricin, known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which converts to chamazulene during distillation, offering anti-allergenic benefits as well.

Beeswax, a natural substance secreted by worker bees, serves multiple purposes in skincare. It creates a protective barrier that minimizes transepidermal water loss, acts as a humectant to retain hydration, and functions as an emollient to soften and soothe the skin. This remarkable ingredient effectively alleviates symptoms associated with common topical conditions such as dermatitis and psoriasis while managing the natural skin microbiome. The human skin, being the largest organ, plays a crucial role in guarding against environmental irritants. The outermost layer, the stratum corneum, is vital for skin barrier protection, and any disruption can trigger disorders like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis.

Ingredients and Tools Needed:

• 60ml Lavender Infused Sunflower Oil

• 60ml Chamomile Infused Sunflower Oil

• 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of Beeswax Pellets

• 5 x 30ml Balm Pots with Lids

• Measuring Jug

• Stirring Utensil

• Saucepan for Bain-Marie

• 30 Drops of Lavender Essential Oil

• 20 Drops of Geranium Essential Oil

Instructions:

 

1. Begin by measuring 60ml of Lavender infused oil and 60ml of Chamomile infused oil. Pour them into your measuring jug, combining their soothing properties.

2. Carefully add 1 and 1/2 tablespoons of beeswax pellets to the jug. This will help thicken the mixture, ensuring it holds its balm-like texture once cooled.

3. Next, take the measuring jug and place it into your saucepan. Fill the saucepan with water until it reaches halfway up the sides of the jug. This Bain-Marie method allows for gentle heating without burning the oils.

4. Turn on the heat and stir the mixture continuously as it warms. Watch closely as the beeswax pellets gradually melt into the infused oils, creating a smooth, golden blend.

5. Once the beeswax is fully melted, remove the jug from the heat. Carefully add 30 drops of Lavender essential oil and 20 drops of Geranium essential oil, stirring well to distribute the essential oils throughout the mixture.

6. Now, it’s time to pour your therapeutic concoction into the 5 balm pots. Be cautious as the mixture may still be hot. Allow the balm to cool and set for 24 hours undisturbed

7. Once set, ensure to label your balm pots clearly. Use your soothing balm within a year, whenever you seek a moment of calm or need assistance unwinding before bedtime. Simply massage it into your pulse points for a relaxing experience.

8. Enjoy the comforting effects of your homemade Calm Balm!