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:
Moisturize
· 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.
Essential Oils - Use With Lotion to Moisturize and Soften Your Skin Naturally
A registered nurse and a registered aromatherapist, Judy has a special interest in using essential oils in health care and prevention. For information about Judy and for ways to obtain her favorite essential oils, visit her Web page at: http://home.comcast.net/~judy922/site