| On Friday 26 of September, a
cosy workshop on local herbs and how to make a homemade Calendula lotion for
the body was held at our Cretan neighborhood, "Cressa Ghitonia".
We begun with a conversation
on herbs, their main properties how chose, collect, store and use them. We were
sitting up at the terrace of the bar where a nice early automn wind cheered us
with a wide open view on the bay below, surrounded by the mountains. Wow!
Rosmarin, Marjouran, Calendula
and "Louiza", the Greek popular name for Vervena, had a closer
view...we touched and enjoy their fresh aroma and then... they became our afternoon tea!
After this
restoring break we set the tools for the preparation of a body lotion made of
bee wax, oil of Calendula and Lime water. After preparing and poured it in the
recipients, we each kept our own little jar with the lotion. Made by our hands!
Here is the
procedure:
Prepare the
recipients where you will store your lotion. Sterilize them in boiling water or
steam and let them dry.
After melting the
wax, add the oil and bring this mix to a temperature of 60° C while, in another
jar, the Lime water has to reach the same temperature. Only then, you can pour
the oils in the water and obtain the blend which will be your cream.
With an automatic
hand mixer, bit the liquid that will get thicker and creamy.
Cool down the
blend to a temperature of about 35° C placing the vase with the content in a
pot with cold water.
The recipients are
now ready "to host" your lotion. Label them with the date and the
main ingredients. It will keep up to three months in a cool place, and, if in
the fridge, even some more time.
Natural cosmetics
are gentle to the body tissues and the oil of Calendula has a soothing effect
on the skin. But above all, it's just so lovely to prepare your own products
and re-discover the wise old knowledge of herbs!
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