How to Make Herbal Baby Balm

AHomemade herbal baby balm can protect baby's bottom from getting dry or chapped, soften and sooth little feet and hands and help to heal minor burns and bug bites. Grown-up skin can benefit from baby balm, too.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 1 cup base oil, such as almond oil
• 2 tbsp. comfrey root
• 4 tbsp. lavender blossoms, dried
• 1 tbsp. calendula blossoms, dried
• 1 tbsp. dried rose petals
• 1 tsp. chamomile powder
• 2 tbsp. vitamin E oil
• 1 1/2 tsp. jojoba oil or tea tree oil
• 4 drops of essential oil, either lavender, chamomile, or rose
• 1 tsp. grapefruit seed extract
• 7 tbsp. beeswax
• Small jars to hold 10 oz. of baby balm

1. Grind the comfrey, lavender, calendula, rose petals and chamomile to a fine powder in a blender or coffee grinder. You also can use a mortar and pestle.
2. Heat the base oil in a double boiler on low heat. Stir in the powdered herbs and heat on medium heat for 30 to 60 minutes. Allow the herbs to be completely infused into the oil. Pour the mixture in a glass or stainless steel bowl.
3. Put the vitamin E oil, jojoba or tree tree oil, essential oil and grapefruit seed extract in a glass or stainless steel bowl.
4. Place a disposable coffee filter in a strainer. Hold the strainer over the bowl of oil. Strain the warmed herb mixture into the essential oil mixture. Carefully squeeze the paper coffee filter, but be careful not to break the filter.
5. Warm the beeswax in the double boiler on low heat until it melts. Carefully pour it into the mixture into the bowl, stirring constantly with a whisk or egg beater until the balm is creamy.
6. Sterilize the containers in boiled water. Spoon the balm into the sterilized jars and attach the lid firmly.

Tips & Warnings

• The balm will keep for approximately 3 months. If you don't plan to use it within that time, simply refrigerate it.