Monday, February 11, 2013

Evening Primrose & Rose Hip Healing Oil

Greetings of Winter Health to All!  I hope everyone is well and has managed to stave off this season's flu and norovirus!  Flu-like symptoms keep trying to take hold of my body, but so far, "knock on wood", they go away within an hour or so of attempting invasion.  I chalk this up to good "whole food"eating, getting sufficient vitamin D3, sleeping well, washing my hands often, exercising regularly, using anti-viral essential oil sprays throughout the house, and keeping my skin in good shape.

Today's topic, in fact, is about keeping skin in tip-top shape (and also healing it) by using nourishing ingredients.  I recently had a reader inquire as to how to formulate a healing blend using aloe vera, evening primrose oil, and rose hip seed oil as she had just had some tattoos removed and wanted to help the affected area heal smoothly with no scars.  The following is the recipe/treatment sequence that I relayed to her.  It can be used as facial care or applied to any area that needs anti-inflammatory action, nourishment, pampering, and healing . . . such as dry eczema and psoriasis patches, scaly skin, cracked heels, cuts and scrapes, new scar tissue, ragged nails and cuticles, or sunburn or windburn.  Avoid use on oily or acneic skin as the rose hip seed oil will exacerbate that condition.  It is perfect for normal, normal-to-dry, and very dry skins.

Evening Primrose & Rose Hip Healing Oil

Ingredients:

- Aloe vera juice, commercially prepared (with less than 1% preservatives)
- 3 tablespoons almond oil or apricot seed oil or hazelnut oil
- 1 teaspoon jojoba oil (stabilizes the product, soaks in well, and acts as a preservative)
- 1 teaspoon rose hip seed oil
- 1 teaspoon evening primrose oil
- 1 small vitamin E capsule, 200 IU (acts as a preservative)
- 20 drops lavender essential oil (optional - but extremely gentle and very healing)

Directions:

1.  The aloe vera juice will be used as a hydrating, healing toner - separately - and NOT blended with the oils.  Set it aside for now.

2.  To a 2 ounce, dropper cap, dark glass bottle, add the almond or apricot or hazelnut oil, jojoba oil, rose hip seed oil, evening primrose oil, and vitamin E oil (pierce and squeeze the capsule into the other oils).  Add the lavender essential oil drops, if desired.  Cap, label, and shake vigorously for 2 minutes to blend thoroughly.  Set aside for 24 hours in a dark, cool cabinet so that the ingredients can synergize.

3.  From now on, the bottle will need to be stored in a dark, cool place for up to 6 months maximum - no longer - as the rose hip and evening primrose oils have a short shelf life.  If you refrigerate it, the jojoba oil will get very hard and the product will thicken a bit - so I don't suggest it.

4.  After you clean your face & throat or other area that you want to apply this healing, nourishing oil,  moisten the area with a cotton ball saturated with aloe vera juice.  It is incredibly healing and moisturizing.  Next, apply a few drops of the oil blend to your palms, rub hands together to warm the oil, then gently press into your skin.  Do this morning and night.  If you want to add your regular face or body cream or lotion over the oil, then wait at least 5 minutes for the oil to soak in first.

Note:  If you are just applying the oil to very small areas - like a cut or scrape or fingernails - you can apply a tiny bit of aloe vera first, then just use a drop or two of oil.  Gently massage it in and cover with a bandage, if necessary.

5.  Your skin should now feel very hydrated and comfortable.


Disclaimer:  This blog was written by and recipe formulated by Stephanie Tourles - Lic. Esthetician, Herbalist, Certified Aromatherapist, and author of Organic Body Care Recipes and Hands- On Healing Remedies. The information is true and complete to the best of her knowledge.  All recommendations are made without guarantee on the part of Ms. Tourles.  She disclaims any liability in connection with the use of this information.  It is for educational purposes only.