Bath and Body

Soap Making, Oils and Recipes

We Remember – Plus Soothe Your Skin!

by Leave a Comment

Today is Memorial Day in the US, and while it’s a fun, long weekend, and usually touted as the unofficial start to summer (unless you’re here in Pennsylvania this year, where it’s cold and rainy). However, it’s also a day where we remember those who lost their lives fighting for our freedoms. Today we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice and the families of those brave men and women. We thank you for service, we thank you for your bravery, we thank you for our freedoms, and we thank you for your sacrifice. 

In Flanders Fields
BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

 

Quick DIY Skin-Soothing Roll-On

With this being the kick-off for the summer season in the US, I thought today I’d give you a recipe for a quick, easy, and soothing roller bottle recipe that you can whip up in just minutes. This roller bottle blend is great to have on hand in the summer months because it can soothe the skin after small burns, bug bites, scratches, sunburn, or even rashes caused by heat, poison ivy, etc. I like to keep a bottle of this close by because we use it so much, and I ALWAYS have a bottle on hand in my kitchen.

Ingredients:

Vegetable Oil of Choice – I like to use liquid coconut oil for this, can be fractionated or non-fractionated.

Tea Tree Essential Oil

Lavender Essential Oil

Empty 10 ml roller bottle

How To:

Add 4 drops of Tea Tree Oil to empty roller bottle

Add 5 drops of Lavender Oil to the Tea Tree

Top off roller bottle with vegetable oil – whatever you have on hand is fine!

Cap the roller bottle and roll gently between your hands to make sure all ingredients are mixed together thoroughly.

Happy Crafting!

Related Posts:

Have you read?

DIY Herbal Vapor Rub Balm – A Natural Vicks-Style Decongestant for Cold and Flu Relief

When someone in the house starts sniffling, you just know it’s going to make the rounds. That’s when I reach for this homemade herbal vapor rub—our family’s go-to chest balm for easing congestion, coughs, and that heavy-headed sick feeling.

Made with gentle yet powerful essential oils, this balm works just like the classic Vicks rub (but without the synthetic stuff). It’s safe, effective, and smells like a eucalyptus grove with a hint of grandma’s medicine chest—in the best possible way!

Whether you’re treating a toddler’s sniffles or trying to head off a man cold, this DIY vapor rub will be your winter wellness MVP.

Why You’ll Love This Natural Decongestant Balm

  • No petroleum or nasties – A clean, green homemade Vicks alternative 
  • Gentle enough for kids – With optional adjustments for littlies 
  • Nourishing balm texture – Melts into skin without being greasy 
  • Essential oils – Provide cooling, clearing, and comforting support 
  • Customizable – Make it stronger for adults or extra-gentle for babies 

Ingredients

Base:

  • 1/4 cup coconut oil (or olive oil for a softer balm) 
  • 2 tbsp shea butter or mango butter 
  • 2 tbsp beeswax pellets 

Essential Oil Blend (for adults):

  • 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil 
  • 8 drops peppermint essential oil 
  • 6 drops rosemary essential oil 
  • 4 drops tea tree essential oil 
  • 4 drops lavender essential oil 

Optional for kids under 5:
 Replace eucalyptus and peppermint with fir needle and cedarwood atlas, and halve the total essential oil amount.

How to Make Your Own Vapor Rub

  1. Melt the base:
     In a double boiler (or a bowl over simmering water), gently melt the coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax together. Stir until smooth and liquid. 
  2. Cool slightly:
     Remove from heat and let cool just a few minutes—enough that it’s no longer scalding hot but still liquid. 
  3. Add essential oils:
     Stir in your essential oil blend. Don’t add them too early or the heat will evaporate their goodness. 
  4. Pour into tins or jars:
     Carefully pour into a small glass jar or metal balm tin. Let cool completely before putting the lid on. 
  5. Label & store:
     Store in a cool place away from sunlight. Balm will keep for up to 6 months. 

How to Use Your Herbal Chest Rub

  • For chest and back: Rub a small amount onto chest, upper back, and soles of the feet during cold or flu season. 
  • For steam relief: Add a pea-sized amount to a bowl of steaming water, cover your head with a towel, and inhale. 
  • For headaches: Dab a touch on temples and neck (use caution and avoid eyes). 

Mum Tips

  • Patch test first if you’re unsure about sensitivities. 
  • Keep a tiny jar in your handbag during winter for on-the-go sniffles. 
  • For a nighttime version, add a few drops of Roman chamomile or lavender for extra sleep support. 

 

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *