How Do I Use Mango as an Ointment?
Mango butter, a fat extracted from the seeds of the mango fruit, has many benefits when applied to the skin. Rich, moisturizing and full of antioxidants, it can help heal dry skin, burns, wrinkles, stretch marks, wounds and other skin conditions. It also offers protection against ultraviolet radiation and has a general regenerative effect on the skin. Mango butter is best used with other ingredients, such as in an ointment. You can easily make an ointment with mango butter to reap all of its benefits for your skin with a recipe that makes about 8 oz. of ointment. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Small pan
- 1 1/2 oz. mango butter
- 1 1/2 oz. beeswax pellets
- 4 oz. vegetable oil of your choice (such as olive oil)
- Glass measuring cup
- 1/2 oz. essential oil, if desired (such as lavender)
- Wooden spoon
- 8 oz. or two 4 oz. metal tins or glass jars
Instructions
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1
In a small pan, melt mango butter over low heat, then add beeswax pellets and melt.
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2
Add vegetable oil, then remove the pan from the heat. Pour the mixture into a glass measuring cup.
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3
Add essential oil if desired, and stir the mixture with wooden spoon. If the mixture starts to harden, melt it again over very low heat.
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4
Spoon the mixture into a metal tin or glass jar. Set it aside to cool, and seal it tightly with a lid.
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5
Label your tin or jar. Store it in a cool area, away from moisture.
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Tips & Warnings
Though you can store ointment for up to three months, make it in small amounts as needed.
Choose which type of vegetable oil to use based on the benefits you're seeking for your skin. See the links in the Resources section for descriptions of various oils.
Before using oils for ointment, test it on a small area of skin and wait 24 hours to test for an allergic reaction.
Never apply undiluted essential oils on your skin.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit ripe mango image by IKO from Fotolia.com
