Wild Chamomile Body Cream Recipe!

Wild Chamomile Body Cream Recipe!

Ormenis multicaulis or Wild Chamomile is one of my favorite essential oils.  It is not a true chamomile but it does share similar soothing qualities and it smells amazing….I mean really, really amazing!! It is fresh and herbaceous and puts me in a wonderful mood.

I wanted this body cream to be made with oils that soothe dry skin and would be moisturizing enough to tackle the cold weather of Winter.  I decided to use a combination of sweet almond oil, jojoba oil and liquid coconut oil.  All of these oils are known to be very emollient and to help soften, soothe and re-condition dry skin.

I also wanted to infuse the oils with some flowers and herbs. I chose chamomile flower, calendula flower, lavender flower, marshmallow root, Elder flower, cinnamon bark, cardamom seed and vanilla pod.  This process took two days to complete, but I think it was well worth it. **All these herbs were purchased from Mountain Rose Herbs.

You can go about infusing oils two different ways. The fast way like I did is done by placing your oils and herbs in a bowl placed over a pan of simmering water.  I did two days of 5 hours per day for a total of 10 hours. Make sure the oil temperature does not go much above 120 degrees F.  You can also do the slow method of placing the oils and herbs in a canning jar and wait 6 weeks for the infusion magic to happen. Here is the recipe for the infused oil:

40 grams sweet almond oil

20 grams jojoba oil

20 grams coconut oil

1/2 teaspoon of each of the following herbs: chamomile flower, calendula flower, lavender buds, marshmallow root, and elder flower

1/4 teaspoon of both cinnamon bark and cardamom seeds

3 inch piece of vanilla pod, halved

Place the oil and the herbs into a glass bowl that is placed over a simmering pot of water.  Gently heat the oil for a total of 10 hours, stirring every hour.  Keep the temperature around 120 degrees F.  Strain the oil from the herb.

I chose vegetable glycerine, Aloe Vera and rose water for my liquid ingredients.  Once you have your infused oil, you are ready to create the lotion.

The only company I have found that carries Wild Chamomile essential oil is Aura Cacia.

Wild Chamomile Body Cream

40 grams rosewater

20 grams Aloe Vera gel

5 grams glycerine

11 grams beeswax

1/4 teaspoon liquid lecithin

60 grams of the herb/flower infused oil from the recipe above

1/2 teaspoon of vitamin E

15 drops Wild Chamomile essential oil

In a small glass measuring cup, add in the rosewater, Aloe Vera gel and glycerine.  In a double boiler, melt the beeswax and lecithin together.  Add in the infused oil and continue to heat until the mixture is fully melted.  Remove the melted wax and oil and set aside.  Gently heat the rosewater, Aloe Vera gel and glycerine to 100 degrees F.  Once both the water and the oil/wax phases are both around 100 degrees F, it is time to start mixing them together.

I like to use a single beater on a hand mixer set to low speed. I drizzle in the water phase a little bit at a time while the beater is mixing the oil and wax.  You will need to continue beating for about 5 minutes and will notice the mixture will turn a creamy consistency.  At this point, you can add in the vitamin E and the essential oil. Blend for another 5 minutes or until firm and creamy.

I know when my lotion is ready because it is the consistency of a thick pudding. At this point, transfer the product to a sterile container, place in the refrigerator for several hours to finish setting up.  I like to keep it in the fridge and fill a small 1/2 ounce container with the lotoin.  I normally use up the 1/2 ounce jar of cream within two or three days and will then clean the jar, mist it with rubbing alcohol and allow it to air dry  and then fill it up again with the Wild Chamomile Body Cream.

Amazing! We found this delicious recipe at http://www.freshpickedbeauty.com. This site has everything, DIY Beauty 101 and 200 tips, techniques and recipes for Natural Beauty! Check them out!!