Jennifer Davit, director at The Lurie Garden (www.luriegarden.org), came into our ABC 7 Eyewitnes News studio to show us how to make healing balms at home.
Jennifer's Recipes:
1. Lurie Garden Rooftop Honey Lip Balm
Ingredients:
1 cup sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil
1/2 cup beeswax, grated or chopped
2 Tablespoons honey
Preparation:
Place almond oil and beeswax in a microwave-safe bowl.
Microwave on high for 1 minute or until mixture melts.
(Alternatively you can heat the oil, and beeswax in a stainless steel pot on the
stove set to low.)
Whisk honey into beeswax mixture; stir well until completely mixed together.
Carefully pour into small containers with lids.
Set aside to cool completely.
Apply to lips as a moisturizer or on top of lipstick for extra shine.
Makes about 1-1/2 cups which fills 15 one ounce tins.
Notes:
Lurie Garden Honey is sold at our fall plant sale.
Honey from the Chicago Honey Co-op is sold on their website and at the Green
City Market during the summer.
Tins can be purchased online at
EBKcontainers.com.
Sweet almond oil and beeswax can be purchased at Whole Foods or online through
Mountain Rose Herbs.
2. Lurie Garden Body Scrub
Ingredients:
1 cup sweet almond, grapeseed, or sunflower oil
2 cups Epson, sea, or kosher salt or sugar for a gentler scrub
4-8 drops essenital oil
Preparation:
1. Place salt or sugar in a bowl.
2. Slowly add oil and mix with salt until desired consistency is reached.
3. Add 4-8 drops of essential oil to give scent to the scrub. Popular oils are
lemon, rosemary, and peppermint.
4. Gently rub scrub on skin once a week prior to bathing. Do not use on
sensitive areas like your face.
*The oil could make your bath or shower slippery- please use caution.
Variations:
*You can use grated lemon rind or ginger root (processed until fine in a food
processor) to scent the scrub instead of using essential oils.
*You can adjust ratio of salt or sugar to oil to 1.
3. Lurie Garden Sage Citrus Salve
Ingredients:
2 ounces dried sage
1 cup light olive oil (the inexpensive kind works well)
1 oz. beeswax, grated
10-15 drops Sweet Orange or Lemon essential oil
Tools/Materials:
Box grater
Glass measuring cup
Cheese cloth
Stainless steel pot
Ladle
Small 2 ounce tin
Preparation:
Place the herbs and oil in a stainless steel pot set to low heat.
Cook for three to four hours, stirring occasionally.
The oil should not be bubbling as that will burn the herbs.
Strain the herbs out through two layers of cheesecloth and return the oil to the
pot.
Add the grated beeswax and stir until completely melted.
Add the drops of sweet orange oil and stir.
Ladle the salve into small tins.
Allow to cool completely before putting the lid on.
Sources:
Beeswax, dried herbs and essential oils are all available at Whole Foods.
If you are buying large quantities Mountain Rose Herbs sells bulk herbs, oils
and containers.
Small tins with lids can be purchased from
EBKContainers.com
