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Herbs & Cultures

Natural skin and hair care

Basic lotion

A basic lotion you scent yourself.

Used for

Time
30 minutes
Makes
About 470 ml
Almond

Water and oil only blend with an emulsifier and at the right temperature. With this base you can later vary the oils and scents yourself.

Ingredients

  • Water phase: 295 ml distilled water
  • Oil phase: 60 ml sweet almond oil, 60 ml evening primrose oil, 2 tablespoons meadowfoam seed oil and 3 tablespoons emulsifying wax
  • Scent: 15 drops essential oil of your choice, such as angelica, bergamot, bay laurel, cedarwood, dill, frankincense, myrrh or sandalwood

Step by step

  1. Heat the water in an ordinary pan and the oil phase in a bain-marie, both to 77 °C.
  2. Remove from the heat and pour the water phase into the oil phase while stirring. Keep stirring as the mixture cools.
  3. Stir in the essential oil once the mixture has dropped below 49 °C, and keep stirring until cold.
  4. Store in a clean jar with a label and date. Apply in circles after cleansing and toning.

Registry

Herbs in this recipe

Read more about effects and safety on each herb’s page.

  • Caution

    Asia · Food · № 223

    Almond

    Prunus dulcis

    Traditionally attributed effects: sweet almond soothing, stimulating, nourishing, strengthens the nerves; bitter almond soothing, laxative, calming in cough.

    Ayurveda+2Folklore
  • Caution

    North America · Herb · № 171

    Evening primrose

    Oenothera biennis

    The seed oil contains gamma-linolenic acid and is sold for eczema, premenstrual symptoms and hot flushes. NCCIH reports it does not help eczema and that evidence for other conditions is insufficient.

    Indigenous healing traditions of North America+4
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 60

    Garden angelica

    Angelica archangelica

    An aromatic bitter traditionally used for bloating, poor appetite and colds. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Monastic and folk knowledge+2Folklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Food · № 10

    Bergamot

    Citrus bergamia

    The peel yields bergamot oil, a fragrance in perfume and Earl Grey tea. The oil contains bergapten, which makes the skin sensitive to sunlight. Health claims are not well studied.

    Folk magic and herbal magicFolklore
  • Caution

    Europe · Herb · № 213

    Bay laurel

    Laurus nobilis

    Bay leaf is a culinary herb containing cineole and eugenol. The oil of the berries was used externally for muscle pain; a medicinal effect has hardly been studied.

    Greco-Roman medicine+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 375

    Atlas cedar

    Cedrus atlantica

    Cedarwood oil is used in hair products against dandruff and as a fragrance. A small study of an oil blend for hair loss (alopecia areata) found improvement, but the effect of the cedar itself has not been established.

    Local African healing traditions+1Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 215

    Dill

    Anethum graveolens

    Traditionally attributed effects: carminative.

    Ayurveda+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Herb · № 373

    Frankincense

    Boswellia sacra

    The resin is mainly used as incense and fragrance. Extracts of related Boswellia species have been studied for osteoarthritis, with modest and variable results.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+4Folklore
  • Caution

    Africa · Other · № 28

    Myrrh

    Commiphora myrrha

    A gum resin with a long history in medicine, ritual, perfume, and incense. Modern treatment claims are not established.

    Ancient Egyptian medicine+6Folklore
  • Caution

    Asia · Herb · № 140

    Sandalwood

    Santalum album

    Used in Ayurveda as a 'cooling' remedy for skin irritation and urinary complaints; the oil is used in aromatherapy. Clinical evidence is limited.

    Ayurveda+6Folklore

Cultures and traditions

Where the herbs come from

These traditions know the herbs in this recipe.