While we are, customarily, all about stimulating your appetite, today’s post is more about reinvigorating your skin care routine. We’re going to use that lovely goldenrod going to seed in your side yard, to create a restorative, androgynous balm , that will leave your skin feeling vibrant, healthy and fit for fall. This balm can be used either as a soothing, post-shaving salve, or as an anti-aging, moisture boost for tired, stressed out skin. It, likewise, for the ladies, has an added priming benefit underneath makeup. We are beginning with beeswax, and the following and the base oils: Olive for soothing cracked, irritated skin, Coconut for collagen production, Castor Oil to soothe razor burn, and Shea butter for restoring elasticity and calming inflammation. Goldenrod will be infused straight into the Olive oil for a burst of anti-oxidants. Did you know that Goldenrod contains 7(x) the anti-oxidants of Green Tea? That’s powerful prevention against cell damage. Now, we are going to add Frankincense essential oil, for it’s unflagging ability to stimulate cell growth. Then, a final but imperative ingredient, is Star Anise essential oil, which, due to it’s anethole component, is a great detoxification product. It, further, is proposed to have the ability to tighten sagging skin, due to tannins, and tone underneath, even at the muscular level. Added dividends include, it’s antiseptic properties, to prevent infection in those tiny shaving nicks and cuts, acne fighting properties, and ability to reduce discoloration and dark spots. The fragrance is a light spicy, herbal scent, with a hint of earthiness, notes of licorice and a bit of the mystical. It’s an appealing, nonchalant, scent for fall, that is gender-less. So, let’s get started, shall we?
Here’s what you’ll need:
- A few sprigs of Goldenrod, fresh
- 3 oz. Olive Oil
- 1/2 oz. Shea Butter
- 1/2 oz Coconut Oil
- 1/2 Castor Oil
- 2 oz Beeswax (this makes a quite firm balm, if you prefer it softer, you can lessen the beeswax to your preferred consistency)
- Clean tins or jars
We’ll start by infusing the goldenrod into the olive oil. I used an old tea kettle. Set fresh goldenrod in kettle or pot, cover with olive oil. Heat gently until color changes. I started with light olive oil, a light yellow color, and finish when it turned a deep green. Let cool.
Next, you’ll need a sanitized bowl, or double boiler, (don’t use one you intend to use for cooking in again), and a kitchen scale. Measure beeswax and oils into bowl for microwave, or into double boiler. Heat on low until beeswax is melted completely. Let cool for about 15 minutes. Add essential oils and stir, (make sure it’s cool enough to not evaporate the essential oils.)
Pour into prepared and sanitized tins. Let cool and harden. Enjoy your finished product!
Star anise oil and Frankincense work wonders over time. You will see marked improvement with the first use, but, you’ll notice the long term anti-aging, and healing effects with extended use. When you give it a try, share your reaction in the comments section. Did your skin feel rejuvenated? Look fresher? Do you have any goldenrod recipes that you love? If so, feel free to share.
