RVSPR2012

 

Do you know what this is?

 

For a clue visit our Facebook Page 

at

https://www.facebook.com/SimpleEarthCreations#

Share Your Creative Ideas

What do you have planned for the weekend?

 Post a photo of what you are up to :)

I am making some wire wrapped rings, perhaps a slave bracelet or two. Trying to stay away from the hemp and fiber this weekend and work with wire and gemstones :)

Would LOVE to see what creative ideas are flowing in  YOUR head today.

Tutorial - How To Make an Herbal Oil Infusion on the Fast Track

New Tutorial

Herbal Oil Infusion - The Fast Track

Normally when making Herbal Oil Infusions I would leave the herbs or flowers in the oil on a sunny windowsill for a couple of weeks, even a month, stirring occasionally, pressing the old herbs and adding new. That's the best way to do it.

BUT, I needed a fast-track way to have some lovely herbal infused oil..well, actually, floral-infused oil by Sunday morning. It's Thursday! Uh Oh! 

 The cure?  I have mixed my flower tops in the oil just as I would for a long-term infusion, but have decided to slowly and gently heat them in a heat-proof glass container atop a double boiler.  The glass container is not touching the water, so that only the steam reaches the herbal mix.  I am keeping the water at the lowest simmer that will make a small amount of steam. 

I will let this infuse all day today.  I'll cool, press the floral mix, add new flower heads, cover again with the strained and pressed oil, and steam all day tomorrow. On Saturday I'll strain and press the oils. 

 

On Sunday I will use my newly created Infused Oil to make a lovely sugar scrub for a party that afternoon.  

I will let you all know how I like the results, or better yet, how the ladies like the results when they use their scrubs at home after the party. 

 This is a 2-Day Project, so allow yourself enough time to enjoy the process. 

 

  

 

 HOW TO MAKE an HERBAL OIL INFUSION

on the

THE FAST TRACK

 In this Recipe I am making a Lavender, Red Rose and Chamomile Infusion. You may substitute the flowers and/or herbs of your choice.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups dried herbs or flower heads

2 cups organic extra virgin coconut oil (76 or 96 degree)

(substitute almond, grapeseed or olive oil if coconut oil is not available, do not use blended vegetable oils such as cooking oil)

Water

 

SUPPLIES

Heat-Proof Glass Container (I am using a large 3 qt measuring cup)

Medium to Large Pot 

(should be large enough to hold glass container high enough to avoid the water and snug enough so that the container will not slip during the process)

Wooden Mixing Utensil

Funnel or Large Bowl

Sieve

Cheesecloth or Unbleached Muslin (unbleached cotton if that's what you have)

Clean DRY Glass Container with Lid (mason jar, clean dry mayo jar, etc.)

Large Rubber Band

RECIPE 

DAY 1

Fill your pot half way with cool water, turn on high heat and bring to boil. 

Turn heat to medium low, and adjust to just a low simmer. 

In your large heat-proof glass container, add 1 CUP ONLY of your herbs/flowers and pour all of the coconut oil over top

(coconut oil may not all come out of container, if that's the case, invert the container atop the mixture while its steaming. very shortly the oil will melt and you'll be able to get it out)

Stir to blend. 

Carefully place glass container in the top of the pot full of simmering water, being sure that the top of the water does not touch the bottom of the glass container. 

Allow the mixture to steam over SLOWLY simmering water for 6 hours, replacing water as it evaporates.

Allow to cool off enough to work with by hand. 

Place a single layer of unbleached cheesecloth, muslin or cotton over the container

Secure with a rubber band

Carefully turn the glass container upside down over the large bowl

Use a funnel to work with a smaller bowl

Allow the container to remain upside down, covered with the cloth, until all the oil drains into the second bowl

When all the oil has seeped into the second bowl, its time to Press

To Press the herbs, wrap the strained mixture of herbs/flowers in a large piece of muslin, cheesecloth or unbleached cotton, OR use a large unbleached reusable tea bag or cloth sack and fill with the flower mixture.  Tie securely with cotton string or hemp cord.

Place the wrapped mixture in your sieve over the bowl or use another clean DRY bowl if you like.

Press the wrapped mixture down against the sieve with your wooden utensil, a mallet, or (and this is what I do)  place a heavy object such as a stone mortar/pestle or a second smaller but heavy bowl atop the wrapping and weight it with crystals or other heavy objects. 

BE SURE that the object or utensil that you use is CLEAN and BONE DRY! You don't want to get any water into your infusion, this can end up causing you mold problems and ruining all your work. 

Allow all the remaining oils that you can squeeze from the herbs/flowers to drain into the bowl. 

Now start all over again.....

 If you are going to wait until tomorrow, then cover your container and place in a cool dry place, but NOT the refrigerator. 

DAY 2

In your makeshift double boiler bottom pot, again, heat 1/2 pot water to boiling. Reduce heat to a slow simmer.

Place your saved, strained and pressed oil, in your heat-proof glass container, over the water, but not touching. 

Add 1 CUP of the herb/flower mixture

Stir to blend.

Allow to steam another 6 hours, replacing water in the pot when needed. 

Stir occasionally. 

After 6 hours:

Remove from heat,

Cool to touch

Strain and Press same as on Day 1

Transfer to a CLEAN and BONE DRY glass container

Cover with a clean and BONE DRY lid, secure. 

Now you are ready to use your New Herbal Oil Infusion in your soaps, homemade skin care creams, or even in cooking!

Pat yourself on the back...you've done a great job!

AND you've made an all natural, good for you, good for the Earth, product that you can be truly proud of!

Please...let me know how your Infusion turned out. 

Experiment with different oils, herbs, flowers, etc.

Hope You Had Fun!

IMPORTANT TIPS

Never use a metal container. 

Never boil or overheat your mixture. 

Make sure to keep checking your pot to be sure there's enough water to produce steam.

KEEP WATER OUT OF YOUR MIXTURE AT ALL TIMES

Shelf Stable for Approximately 6 Months.

 

 

Making Sugar Scrub

Making 

SUGAR SCRUB

What scents would you like? 

All natural exfoliate for your shower. Great facial scrub, good for your tootsies too. 

No chemicals, No junk. Just yummy, nummy goodness. 

 Ingredients on hand for scents/flavors: coffee, peppermint, coconut, amber, teas, vanilla, lemon, lime, bitter orange, all sorts of herbal tinctures....more! 

  

Tell me, what would YOU like?

Ever Wonder What Inspires Me?

Ever wonder what inspires me?

New! Painless Moments Tea Blend

Painless Moments Tea Blend 

in Our Etsy Shop NOW!

Painless Moments Tea Blend All Natural Organic Floral Citrus Spice Herbal White Willow Bark Tea Blend Pain Relief Relaxation

After so many years of experimenting, I've found a blend of florals, citrus, herbs and spice that make for a robust hearty, yet light tea, that's great hot and even holds up its flavor in iced tea! So tasty and so good for you too. And as a wonderful bonus, it acts as Nature's own natural pain reliever.

A beautiful red hue and wonderful robust taste is imparted from Hibiscus Flowers. The Painless Moments are brought to you by none other than Mother Nature's own "original" aspirin, White Willow Bark. White Willow Bark contains salicylic acid, the all-natural precursor from which modern aspirin is manufactured. Then I added Vitamin C-Rich Red Rose petals, a pinch of Jasmine Flower and a touch of Chamomile for a relaxation and a heady floral aroma and flavor that can't be beat. Lemon and Orange peel, and a whiff of Lemon Balm add just the right amount of citrus zest that allows this blend to hold up to ice like a champ. Anise Star, Cinnamon Bark, Ginger Root and just a tweaking of Cloves add a perfectly warm whisper of spice. I rounded it all off with oat straw, hops and vanilla bean for body and a hint of sweetness. It's great just as is, or add a little organic wildflower honey if you like it just a little bit sweeter.

I packaged it all up in a homey little Mason Jar and wrapped it especially for you. This is a beautiful blend that looks great in the clear jar. Place it on the counter top or let it sit upon a shelf. Why hide something so pretty away in a cupboard?

Drinking 4 cups a day will help relieve mild to moderate pain and stress. Headaches, menstrual cramps, arthritis pain, body aches...all made better by a tasty cup of tea! What could be nicer?

I like to use this blend in my iced-tea brewing machine. Its hearty enough to stand up to all that ice!

Each order contains one (8 oz.) mason jar packed full of homemade tea blend along with 3 reusable unbleached cotton cloth tea bags. Use, rinse and re-use over and over again. No chemicals, no dyes.

Store tightly closed out of direct sunlight for best taste.

To Steep Tea:

Add a heaping tablespoon of loose tea blend to your reusable tea bag, tie securely
Bring water to boil in kettle and remove from heat (tea is added to hot, not boiling water)
In a large mug, pour hot water over tea bag
Allow to steep for 2 minutes for a mild tea or 5 minutes for a bolder taste
Dipping or swirling the tea bag in the hot water allows for a greater infusion of all flavors
Sweeten with honey if desired

How to Make a Natural Herbal Wound Healing Poultice

Got a nasty cut? A painful bruise or sprain? Is it getting inflamed and it looks like it might turn to infection? A burn that is just irking you to no end?  If you have no medical ointment around or you just don't want to use chemicals and pharmaceuticals when you don't need to, here is the solution you've been looking for.

This all natural organic remedy has been recommended by Mother Nature and Your Grandmother for all time. So easy, you'll wonder why you haven't done it sooner.
 
A Poultice is a concoction of herbs mixed together with a carrier oil for a specific intention and applied to the skin. It is 100% natural in all aspects.

If you are using the poultice on a deep burn or a wide open wound, you'll want to apply the poultice to a porous cloth such as gauze or cheesecloth and then apply it to the wound. If the wound is not open or the skin is not easily irritated (like a sprain or bruise) you may apply it directly.

You may make your first poultice immediately before applying, but make extra, because it works much better if allowed to sit overnight in the refrigerator to impart the herbal properties into the oil.

There are many types of poultices for many uses. The recipe I am going to give you here will do several great things for you:

Reduce Pain
Reduce Inflammation
Help Prevent Infection
Soothe the Skin at the Wound Site

TO MIX

You Will Need

Mortar and Pestle

2 Tablespoons Each (in dried form) of:

Lemon Balm (anti-bacterial)
White Willow Bark (pain reliever, anti-inflammatory)
Lavender (antimicrobial, disinfectant, skin conditioner, anti-oxidant)
Queen of the Meadow (Joe Pye Weed) (pain reliver)
St. John's Wort (pain reliver, anti-inflammatory)

Oat Straw (skin conditioner)

4 Tbsp. of Organic Coconut Oil, 76 or 95 degree type (carrier oil, infusion, skin skin softener)

Lavender Tea, 1/2 cup at Room Temperature (made by combining 1/4 c lavender flower heads and 1 c water. Boil 5 min and let cool)

In a large mortar and pestle set, mash all of the herbs until there are no large stems or other large debris left.

Add coconut oil and mash into a paste.

The paste will be rather thin at hot temperatures and thicker at cooler room temperatures. It will thicken when refrigerated.

For best results, allow poultice to sit overnight in refrigerator.  If needed for immediate use, make extra for tomorrow's application.

TO USE

You Will Need

Gauze Pads, (NOT non-stick)
Plastic Wrap (such as Saran Wrap)
Ace or other self-adhesive wrap bandage
Disposable Tongue Depressor, Popsicle Stick or Other disposable applicator (plastic spoon will do)
Poultice Mixture
Lavender Tea Mixture

Prepare wound by gently cleansing with a gauze pad dipped in Lavender Tea. Cleanse in a gentle circular motion from the center of the wound outward. Do not go back over the inside of the circle with the used pad. Use a second clean pad to re-clean if necessary, using the same inside to out motion.  Pat dry with clean gauze if necessary.

Examine the wound and note the color, size and condition of the skin at the site. 

If you are working with a burn, or a large open wound, lay a thin layer of clean gauze over the wound. (1-ply).  If the wound is not open or not easily irritated, you may apply the poultice directly to the skin.


 Spoon a heaping mound of the Poultice Mix over and around the wound area.

Cover with a second layer of clean gauze and pat firmly but gently to make a pancake-like area out of the poultice. Cover the entire wound site as well as the edges around it.

Wrap the area with saran wrap. (If it is an area such as the forearm or wrist, you may wrap around the entire arm. An area such as the abdomen will do better with a smaller area of plastic wrap over and around the wound only. This will not only protect clothing and prevent leaking as well but will allow the body's natural heat to melt the oils and infuse the healing properties of the poultice into the skin and wound area.

After applying plastic wrap, cover again with a layer of gauze wrap or simply secure it by wrapping the area with a self-adhesive wrap or ace bandage. If treating a larger area or an area that is not conducive to wrapping, use a larger layer of guaze and tape over the plastic.

Leave on for a minimum of 4 hours or all day long.  May be left open to air at bedtime, depending on the condition of the wound. Air drying is an effective method of healing as long as the wound is not exposed to dirt and contaminates while open to the air. 

At dressing change, re-clean the wound with Lavender Tea and apply a new Poultice. Examine the wound for increased swelling, redness and pain, as they are signs of infection. If the wound becomes more painful, red or swollen, or if it has not healed significantly within a week, seek professional medical advice.

Continue daily treatment until the wound is well on its way to healing or as long as it is causing pain.

Remember to make your poultice mixture a day ahead and store tightly wrapped in the refrigerator to  allow the herbal mixture to bind with the oils. After brewing and cooling to room temperature, the lavender tea should also be stored in the refrigerator, capped. Store coconut oil, covered, at room temperature.

  Be Well!

 Peace,

 Jo