I have started to produce my own herbal skin care products, herbal soaps and various other beauty products including tailor made fragrances and cosmetics.
I wanted to start all of this from scratch, right down to growing and harvesting my own herbs from my own garden. I found it rather difficult at first to find the information i needed to get started. I reviewed so many websites and all the info i found was either not useful, not put out in layman’s terms or just incomplete. I have since collected various literature, plants, and recipes that i use for my own products.
I have created some wonderful recipes that are simple and easy to make in your own kitchen, and you don't even have to go to all the trouble i went to in planting the seeds, seedlings and plants in your garden. None of the time-consuming harvesting, distilling and drying is necessary for you, though i must admit i got a great kick out of achieving all this. Most of the products you will need to start out with are easily available from your nearest herbal store or health shop. All of this has really gotten my creative juices flowing!
Carriers Oils, Essential Oils, Shower Gel Bases and Soap Bases are readily available, and all you have to do is make them your own by selecting the perfect combination of fragrances and scents for you.
Over the next few days, i will be compiling a list of simple recipes to add to this blog for you to try at home: Let me know how it goes and if you have any trouble, i'll be happy to help!
Some Great Websites that have helped me:
Essentia Products: http://essential-oils.co.za
Premier Packaging: http://www.premierpackaging.co.za
Bath Salts Recipe:
Basic Bath Salts -
Salt (of your choice - either epsom, sea or kosher Salt - or a combination of all)
Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) - Very softening for the skin
Essential Oil of your Choice
Food Colouring - for a bit of zest, optional
Directions: Pour all of the above into a bowl, mix thoroughly, and place in a jar ready to liven up your bath.
Lip Balm Recipe
1/4 Cup Sweet Almond Oil (Or other carrier oil of your choice - personally i prefer Calendula)
7g - to 14g Beeswax
Flavour Oil (Please note that the flavourant you choose must be oil based or it won't mix)
Place the Carrier oil in a bowl over warm water in a pot, heat it gently, slowly adding the beeswax. Once all the beeswax has melted, the easist way to check the consistensy of your lip balm is to take a tablespoon of it and place it into the fridge. Once it has cooled, check that it suits your preferences. If necessary add more carrier oil to soften, or more beeswax to harden. Once happy with the result add the falvour oil and place into small jars to set.
Hand & Body Lotions
Juniper (woodsy and sunlight body lotion)
50ml Base body lotion (use a scentless aqueous based, non-allergenic cream if you can't find a base cream)
8 Drops Juniper Essential Oil
4 Drops Rose Otto Essential Oil
4 Drops Sandalwood Essential oil
6 Drops Cedarwood Oil
(Warning, Juniper is not to be used during pregnancy, or for people with kidney problems)
Rose Hand Cream
90ml Base body lotion (use a scentless aqueous based, non-allergenic cream if you can't find a base cream)
15 Drops Rose Essential Oil
Soothing Massage Cream
90ml Base Cream
24 Drops Lavender Essential Oil
24 Drops Sage Essential Oil
24 Drops Jasmine Essential Oil
Massage Oil Mixes
Tired Limbs Massage Oil
50ml Grapeseed Oil
5 Teaspoons Tissue Oil/ Vitamin E Oil
5 Drops Juniper Essential Oil
5 Drops Cypress Essential Oil
5 Drops Frankinsense Essential Oil
5 Drops Rose Otto/ Rose Geranium Essential Oil
(Warning, Juniper is not to be used during pregnancy, or for people with kidney problems)
Cellulite Massage Oil
10ml Diluted Juniper Oil
2 Drops Geranium Essential Oil
2 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
(Warning, Juniper is not to be used during pregnancy, or for people with kidney problems)
Detox Body Massage Oil
50ml Grapeseed Oil
10 Drops Juniper Essential Oil
10 Drops Lemon Essence
5 Drops Roe Otto/ Rose Geranium Essential Oil
(Warning, Juniper is not to be used during pregnancy, or for people with kidney problems)
Essential Oil Mixes / Burner and Bath Drops
Sensual Oil Blend
12 Drops Rose Essential Oil
12 Drops Jasmine Essential Oil
12 Drops Sage Essential Oil
15ml Gapeseed Oil
Place in a Oil Dropper Bottle
Zesty Oil Blend
12 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
12 Drops Mandarin Essential Oil
12 Drops Melissa Essential Oil
15ml Grapeseed Oil
Place in a Oil Dropper Bottle
Meditation Oil Blend
12 Drops Palmarosa Essential Oil
12 Drops Neroli Essentail Oil
12 Drops Bergamot Essential Oil
Place in a Oil Dropper Bottle
Face Masks
Carrot & Juniper Face Mask
2 Small Carrots, peeled, bioled and mashed
2-3 Tsp Brewers Yeast Powder
1-2 tsp Natural Yogurt
5ml Juniper Essential Oil
Use enough Brewers Yeast & Yogurt to make the paste thick enough. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.