We made a Lavender Cream in class today without a single drop of Lavender essential oil.
Body cream is a combination of water components and oil complements, joined together with either a wax or emulsifying agent.
I have always been curious if it was possible to scent creams without an essential oil, so we decided to give it a try.
We made a recipe of 32 ounces of cream, which, if made as a traditional lotion recipe, would call for a 2 % dilution of essential oil. A 2% dilution of 32 fluid oz. of cream is nearly 20 milliliter of essential oil, which is 2/3 of 1 oz.
We started by infusing olive oil with powdered lavender buds. To this we added jojoba oil, lavender hydrosol, aloe juice and distilled water with some emulsifying wax, rosemary antioxidant and citric acid.
It resulted in a lovely, icing textured lotion that many students commented they wanted to eat, because it smelled so delicious.
We infused 80 grams of lavender buds in oil, which, if made into an essential oil would be around 13 drops.
We soaked this herb with 15 ml of lavender tincture, which it took about 5 grams of lavender buds to make (1:3 ratio).
While this was happening I drew a few diagrams to reveal how people can make hydrosol in their kitchen with basic wares.
In total we used under 100 grams of herbal material in addition to 2 oz of hydrosol, to scent 32 oz of cream. If this amount of lavender buds were distilled, it would make around 16 drops of essential oil…. not even a single millimeter, whereas most recipes call for 2%, or nearly 20 ml of essential oil, for the same volume of cream. That’s pretty wild, right? Especially when one considers that it would take more than 8 pounds of plant material, and quite a bit of labor, to produce the 20ml of essential oil, and that many people presume this wouldn’t be enough essential oil and would add more.
We were all excited to discover that we can create wonderfully luxurious things from the bounty in our backyards. While it may be difficult to grow 8 lbs of lavender, it is much more realistic and doable to grow 4 oz. of lavender, and a bit perhaps a doubling of that to make your own hydrosol.
If only you could smell this cream!
If you would like to learn to make it yourself, I can send you the ingredients and teach you how to make it 🙂
Classes will be available online soon! Contact me at oilartisan@gmail.com for more information.
To see how to make a simple lotion with just a few ingredients, check out this video I made on YouTube.
#diy
#lavendercream
#beallnatural
#besustainable
Published by Roots of Alchemy
Kathryn is a Certified Clinical Aromatherapist, Certified Herbalist, Nutritionist and Flower Essence Practitioner. Her experience within the field of holistic health is rooted in Clinical Aromatherapy, raw food preparation, and healing foods preparation. As a practitioner, Kathryn brings her attention to detail through observation, ability to listen on a deeper level, appreciation for the body’s expression, and an investigative interest. She believes that by listening and being watchful of the body and how it carries itself, along with tracking our daily rituals and routines, it allows for a deeper understanding of one’s state of wellness and where it would be most useful to set the attention toward self-care.
Kathryn’s interest in plant medicine began at a young age when she realized she had sensitivities to chemicals commonly used in products such as fabric detergent and soap. This led to the discovery of one of her first plant allies, essential oils. Moved by the concept that essential oils have the ability to affect multiple levels of our being, what first provided a non-irritating alternative way to scent herself, laid a pathway into a study of the human body and holistic wellness. After years of her own study and learning medicine making skills, she went on to earn her Certification in Clinical Aromatherapy at the Institute of Integrative Aromatherapy in 2010. While in the Clinical Aromatherapy program she developed a series of Chakra Oils as a meditation tool to help people access and understand their energetic system. Her holistic practice is called Roots of Alchemy, LLC; She also makes all-natural body care and face care products through this company.
Moved by learning of how many people were using essential oils inappropriately and experiencing unintentional negative outcomes, Kathryn was inspired to create Esenta, The Aromaticum App in 2016. This is a pocket resource guide to using essential oils safely.
Kathryn’s reverence for the power of herbs and food as a primary source of healing was deeply anchored after her mother passed away at the age of 56, nearly ten years ago. After losing her mother, and months of being depressed and eating only minimally, Kathryn began to consider food as a possible route to finding her well-being. Taking purposeful steps in this direction created a shift in her awareness around self-care. She went on to study Healing Diets and Herbalism at the School of Natural Medicine. It was during her study here that she decided to pursue a deeper study with herbs, and through kismet timing and manifestation of a heartfelt wish, found herself studying Medical Herbalism at the Colorado School of Clinical Herbalism.
In addition to her herbal interests, Kathryn has also studied astrology, numerology, and tarot as self-development tools and hand-drew her own tarot deck as part of a ten-year apprenticeship. She weaves imagery with words to allow for a story to open up possibility. Through life’s trials and storms, she has come to witness the mystery of the journey and how often our perceived weakness can lend light which allows one to find their greatest resources of strength. This intersection between our mind, body, emotions, and spirit, lays the foundation for our vital force to actualize.
Kathryn developed a deep love for the mysteries and wisdom of the natural world at an early age. She grew up in Boulder, Colorado and has enjoyed a history of hiking and camping throughout the Front Range.
Her core areas of clinical interest include skin issues, musculoskeletal concerns, digestive concerns, anxiety and stress management, pain management, nervous system support, restorative formulations, food elimination guidance and support, the emotional thread within wellness, and food preparation assistance, in addition to others.
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