Do you have to wash your hands often? As a nurse, I probably wash
my hands at least 20 times a day. Does winter or dry weather leave you
with rough, chapped hands? I find that my hands really need special
attention in the winter. This article gives ways to use healing
essential oils in simple recipes for lotion that will soften the skin
and effectively replenish moisture to rough, dry hands. I have found the
simplest way to use essential oils with lotion is to add my favorite
oils to a quality, non-scented, non-perfumed, natural lotion base.
This recipe is for a great moisturizing lotion for the skin:
· 8 ounces of lotion base
· 15 drops of geranium
· 10 drops of myrrh
· 5 drops of ylang ylang.
Always
use only pure therapeutic grade essential oils. Add the essential oils
to the lotion base, gently mix the solution, and add a label with the
ingredients to the container. Geranium and myrrh are classic essential
oils for healing the skin. I add ylang ylang just because I love its
aroma. A very important principle of aromatherapy is that the consumer
likes the aroma. If they don't like it, they won't use it. There are
many combinations that you can use.
For chapped hands, try adding
10 drops each of rosewood, patchouli and geranium to around 8 ounces of a
quality unperfumed lotion base. Apply on location as needed.
For
dry skin, try adding 10 drops each of rose, Roman chamomile, and
sandalwood to 8 ounces of lotion base. Be certain that only pure,
therapeutic grade essential oils are used.
If you are interested in making your own lotion to add the essential oils to, this very old recipe will help cool and soften the skin, as well as clean stains from hands:
· 1 ounce of rosewater (floral essential oil water)
· 1 ounce of fresh squeezed lemon juice
· 1 ounce of glycerin
· 10 drops of your choice of therapeutic grade essential oils
Put
all of these ingredients together in a clean container and shake
gently. Label the bottle with the ingredients and instructions to shake
well before using each time and store in the refrigerator. This needs to
be used within 2-3 weeks, so it is wise to make small amounts at a
time.
Here is another recipe for a winter lotion:
· 1/2 cup of distilled water or rosewater
· 1/2 cup of jojoba carrier oil
· 1 Tablespoon of lecithin
· 1 capsule of Vitamin E
· 10-20 drops of your choice of pure therapeutic grade essential oils
Put
the water/rosewater, jojoba and lecithin in a blender and whip until it
forms a nice lotion. You can add more water/rosewater if you desire a
thinner lotion. Cut open the vitamin E capsule and add the Vitamin E and
essential oils at the end. Lecithin is an emulsifier, or mixing agent,
that helps oil and water stay together. Mix well. Store in clean
container and label with the ingredients.
While a cream is a
vegetable oil with water added, it is an ideal moisturizer for dry skin,
Lotion contains more water than cream, so it is thinner and less oily.
The consistency of lotion makes it ideal for normal to oily skin. It has
the quality of spreading easily and doesn't leave an oily coat over the
skin. Adding essential oils enhances its therapeutic value.By
Judy Lausch