Lotion making

[tjporter]

So after attending your class in August, I was all excited to make a lotion. I love to rub lotion on my feet before I go to bed, so I thought it would be great to make one using Chamomile and lavender essential oil. I made the lotion and loved it. But before I could even get through one bottle I noticed mold growing inside.

Is this just user error and I need to be more careful about my equipment being sterilized, or does this just go bad fast? I don’t want preservatives, but is there an herb that I could add that would make it last longer?

Thanks!!

[IdahoHerbalist]

Making sure your equipment is clean is an important thing to consider.

Have you kept your lotion refrigerated?

Did you add Vitamin E to the mixture after all the heat processes were done?

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

If you do your infused oil (first step in lotion making) with the double boiler method rather than letting it slowly infuse over a period of weeks, you’ll be much less likely to get mold.

I usually refrigerate my lotions and salves.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

If all I had was a tincture but needed a salve (or lotion) from the herbs in that tincture, how would be the best way to go about that? Does anyone have a recipe?

[IdahoHerbalist]

Closest thing I can find is this:

Mix 95% ethyl 1 to 1 with dried plant. Let sit for one day.

Mix with 6 parts oil.

Blend on medium until warm.

Strain.

Heat in a double boiler until alcohol is gone.

Store in tightly sealed container of make salve or lotion.

Have you ever heard me say I HATE to heat my herbs?

[AnnettStudent]

Thanks. Yes! We hate to heat our herbs. :wall:

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

I’ve made lotions using my same old protocol using tinctures instead of tea for the water fraction. It seemed to work fine.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[IdahoHerbalist]

Been meaning to ask about the tincture method. You don’t use tincture 1 to 1 for the water/tea portion do you? That would be VERY strong and VERY expensive.

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

IdahoHerbalist wrote: Been meaning to ask about the tincture method. You don’t use tincture 1 to 1 for the water/tea portion do you? That would be VERY strong and VERY expensive.

No, I add the tincture to the water to create the proper dose per cup. For topical stuff, I usually double up so 40-60 drops per cup of water I’m adding.

Doc

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

[AnnettStudent]

Thank you so much. This is helpful!

[Michelle KochStudent]

When I make my salves/balms/lotions (not really lotions, mostly balms, salves, and ointments), I don’t add any water at all. I make sure my jars are really clean, even rinse them out with a bit of rubbing alcohol to be sure, and I’ve never had an issue with mold or mildew, even at the one year mark.

This last batch I used a bit of commercial lard which contains a preservative, in addition to the infused olive oil (infused by sunny window sill method). It’s been four months, and still no sign of spoilage. I keep my balms at room temperature.

On the other hand, I’m impatient, and can’t stand the double boiler method to melt wax. So I melt my wax and oil together on medium low heat, directly in the pan. Maybe that has something to do with it? :confused:

[dspadeStudent]

Hello,

How much Vit E would you add as a preservative to the final mix, and in what form? Thank you!

Danielle

[IdahoHerbalist]

Just a couple of drops for a 1/2 pint oil infusion. You can also add lavender to your infusion to make it stable.

[dspadeStudent]

Thank you!

[Author]

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