Originally posted February 6, 2018.
Clinical Aromatherapy
One of my life long hobbies is studying healing plants in the form of herbals, essential oils and flower essences. I studied for my aromatherapy certification in 2014 with Liz Fulcher at her Aromatic Wisdom Institute in Pennsylvania. It was a wonderful course and she mentored me further into the secret life of plants. I discovered a whole network of wise women working with plant secrets. It was a great experience.
Anyway, here’s a recipe for a soothing congestion salve to help open up stuffed nasal passages I made for a friend who has three little ones who often get sick all at once, passing it around to each other!
Of course, follow this common sense disclaimer: See a doctor please, this is not a substitute for medical care. This salve is used as complementary care to help open up your sins passages.
You can make it at home, too!
Here’s an easy recipe using all natural ingredients: healing carrier oils and essential oils.
I am very sensitive to essential oils, as they are very strong, so I recommend a nice, light dilution. I also use flower essences extensively.
Dilution Guidelines
For our little ones, 0 – 24 months: DO NOT use essential oils on 0 – 24 month old babies. Hydrosols and herbs are a better choice for wee ones.
For our little ones still: 2 – 6 years old: a very light solution of .25% of essential oil per ounce which is 1 drop per 4 teaspoons of carrier oil. But for small one, hydrosols and herbs are still the best first choice.
The normal, healthy adult guideline for use of essential oils is 2% dilution or 12 drops per ounce
For sensitive persons, the elderly or pregnant persons, use dilute essential oils at 1% or 6 drops per ounce. Even less is ok as well. It is highly individualized and many people have sensitivities.
But less is more is my mantra. Because they are so concentrated, sensitization over time can occur with anyone. I know long time aromatherapists who have developed sensitivities to essential oils due to long term handling. Dilute, dilute, dilute.
DIY Soothing Cold Away Salve
Ingredients
2 oz yellow beeswax
1 oz virgin organic unrefined shea butter
1 oz organic coconut oil
2 oz avocado oil
4 drops of eucalyptus oil (Eucalyptus radiata) Do not use any type of eucalyptus oil with babies and young children at all! Eucalyptus essential oil is known for its anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties.
6 drops of lavender oil (Lavandula angustifolia) Lavender is called the Rescue Remedy of essential oil as it promotes relaxation. It’s known also to help relieve symptoms of respiratory congestion.
4 drops sweet orange essential oil (Citrus sinensis). I use this oil in many blends. It has a light, refreshing, happy scent that is uplifting yet calming at the same time. Sweet orange is said ot promote detoxification.
Cooking the Salve
Step 1 : Gather your ingredients together! Check out my kitty cat salt and pepper shakers in my kitchen, supervising in the background!
Step 2: Use a double boiler to melt the ingredients together. I bought this on Ebay for ten bucks!
Remember, it’s like cooking, so don’t step away from your project and accidentally overcook it!
Melt the hard ingredients first, then mix in the liquid oils.
Melt the beeswax, stirring occasionally.
Put in the shea butter, let it melt, too.
And that’s what the carrier oils look like all melted together! Yummy!
Step 4: Add the essential oil drops to the carrier oil mixture and stir with a glass stirrer!
Voila!
Pour the mixture into the jars, let it cool and harden overnight.
It’s now ready to rub on your chest or on your wrists!