Wild mint will soon line the river bank and overtake our gardens. Here is a wonderful way to put it to use in a simple balm. Balms are commonly used as chapstick, but they’re also a great muscle rub. Use this recipe as a base to add other essential oil to.
Ingredients:
- A carrier oil (coconut, olive, grapeseed, etc.)
- Beeswax
- Vitamin E tablets
- Fresh or dried mint (or herb of choice)
- Benzoin tree sap (optional)
Method:
- Harvest mint and hang to dry. This is important as moisture can cause mold to form over time.
- Crumble mint into a jar and fill with oil.
- Gently place your jar into a slow-cooker and let it infuse for 3-10 hours. Don’t let your oil come to a boil.
- Strain the oil through a cheese cloth. Freeze the herb filled cheese cloth as a compress for other uses.
- Using a double boiler (or similar), pour in your oil. Add three tablespoons of melted beeswax to each cup of oil.
- Squeeze in two vitamin E tablets and four drops of benzoin resin (if you have it). Now is a good time to add any essential oils.
- Melt everything together.
- Making sure that no water droplets get into your mixture, transfer the mixture into your chapstick tubes, tins, or jars.
- Allow your balm to set and harden before putting the lids back on. This will ensure that no condensation (water droplets) form.
- Use this as a basic lip balm or as a base for muscle rub balm. Enjoy!
Try out this similar recipe using cottonwood (poplar) buds!
