Make This Easy + Natural Botanical Hand Salve [Recipe]

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Although it felt for a moment as though we would never see spring again, suddenly I am waking up to to-do lists filled with seed starting tasks and dirt under my fingernails once more. But what is more inevitable than spring for a gardener? Calluses and dry skin galore from all that time spent working with our hands in the soil. It doesn’t seem to matter what gloves I wear, between the short, practical nails and the constant need to moisturize there is no point in the growing season where I have the hands of a model! Anyone who has struggled with gardener’s hands knows the eternal search for the perfect balm - some are too greasy, some seem to evaporate off your skin within seconds and have no effect, but to find the elusive, perfect hand balm is to discover the holy grail of the gardener’s toolbox.

So while I have been enjoying this time of growth and watching my little sprouts join the world and reach upward with their new leaves, the experience would be infinitely better if I had the benefit of a hand salve recipe that would support my skin through this intense part of the growing season. Whenever I find myself with a skin concern I always turn to Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skincare book because it has at least one of every common type of skincare product you could need, with easy to find ingredients and no complicated recipe processes that would leave me wondering if I had actually made the thing I was trying to make. Most of the recipes are so simple they fit on a single page, but don’t let the fact that the recipes are simple fool you into thinking these recipes are “just ok”. In fact, I believe their power lies in their simplicity. We don’t need a hundred different ingredients to achieve most of the desired effects and in the case of skincare I do believe less is actually more. The beautiful illustrations just keep me motivated to discover more.

Since my psoriasis diagnosis I’ve had to become extra careful about what I put on my skin, and so many commercial products available today have harsh ingredients that aggravate my skin condition. I like to be able to pronounce everything I am putting on my body if possible, and going with homemade skincare products helps me do this.

You really don’t need many supplies to make your own homemade hand cream in your kitchen either. As long as you have measuring cups and a repurposed container to store your finished natural calendula hand salve in, a double boiler can be made if you do not have one by placing a mason jar inside of your pot sitting on top of the lid of the jar to keep it from coming into direct contact with the heat source. It’s also a good idea to dedicate a stirring spoon that you don’t need anymore to the task as it may come into contact with ingredients that are not food safe. This spoon can be reused for all of your future skincare DIY projects - trust me, once you start making your own DIY lotion recipes you won’t be able to stop! You can of course purchase all the supplies needed - Mountain Rose Herbs is my supplier of choice for quality ingredients - but what could be more satisfying than creating homemade hand lotion recipes with plants you grew yourself? Growing calendula is easy and will add beauty to your garden before you harvest and dry for your homemade skincare projects. Once you get the hang of the process, these recipes also make one of kind gifts for birthdays, holidays and just-because presents that everyone will enjoy.

I’ll get into all of the details for how to make your own DIY lotion recipe at home below, but first let's talk a bit about the individual ingredients we will be using in this recipe. You’ll only need a few ingredients for this project, but if you feel like substituting something for one listed below there’s no harm in making the recipe your own. You’ll be able to mix up a batch in just a few minutes, and be well on your way to a calming self care ritual that is affordable, natural and zero-waste.

Calendula Flower

This wondrous flower is full of useful properties!

• Vulnerary – assists in promoting healing of tissues

• Anti-inflammatory – eases inflammation

• Hemostatic – helps to stanch bleeding  

• Topical analgesic – assists in relieving pain

• Astringent – promotes tightening and toning of tissues

• Antiseptic – helps to prevent or stop microbial growth

• Diaphoretic – assists the body during illness by promoting perspiration.

• Lymphagogue – assists in stimulating the lymphatic system

*The above information was taken from Calendula Monograph by the Herbal Academy, The Herbal Handbook by David Hoffmann, and Herbal Medicine From the Heart of the Earth by Sharol Tilgner

Licorice root

Licorice root may have potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects.

Plantain leaf

Plantain is high in vitamin A, allantoin, apigenin, aucubin, baicalein, linoleic acid, oleanolic acid, sorbitol and tannin which all promote wound healing, speed up cell regeneration and have skin-softening effects.

Beeswax

Beeswax hydrates, conditions, soothes, and calms the skin. It exfoliates, repairs damage, promotes the skin's regeneration, diminishes the appearance of the signs of aging, soothes itchiness and irritation, and creates a hydrating, long-lasting protective barrier against environmental pollutants.

In the case of our salve recipe, it will also help bind our liquid ingredients together in a more solid spreadable form. It is a popular ingredient in homemade salve recipes for that reason.

Sesame Oil

Sesame oil is rich in Vitamin B and E, which help soothe skin rashes and fade scars. It is also very effective in treating skin conditions like inflammation, eczema, athlete's foot, psoriasis, and redness. The natural anti-tanning properties of Sesame oil make it an excellent barrier against the sun's harmful rays.

HOW TO MAKE CALENDULA INFUSED OIL

There are many ways to make an infused oil but my favorite is a simple folk method - this means we won’t be making any exact measurements. You’ll find that many herbalists employ a folk method for their skincare concoctions since accuracy in dosing is not generally a requirement unless taken internally.

To make an infused oil using the folk method, all you need to do is fill your mason jar about halfway with your plant ingredients, then cover at least an inch above the herbs with your oil of choice. I usually end up filling the jar almost all the way to the top. Tap lightly on a solid surface to make sure there are no air bubbles trapped in the oil and place the infusing oil jar in a cool dark place such as a closet or pantry (somewhere out of direct sunlight) for about six weeks. You can regularly shake the jar to redistribute the oil, and you may notice that after the first day or two much of the oil has been absorbed into the dried herbs and you will need to add more to keep the flowers completely covered in oil. This is normal and to be expected. I have more detailed instructions available here.

The calendula + friends oil used in the recipe below is made more precisely, with 1 cup sesame oil, 1/4 cup calendula, 1/8 cup licorice root and 1/8 cup plantain leaves. You can do a hot infusion to speed up the infusion process as well. For the full recipe be sure and grab the Botanical Skincare Recipe Book here.

So are you wondering when I’m going to tell you how to make hand lotion at home? Let’s get to it! This recipe comes from the Botanical skincare course from Herbal Academy and its corresponding book of recipes - you can see my full review of this in depth course here.

Calendula + Friend Salve Recipe from the Botanical Skincare book by Herbal Academy:

This nourishing and richly moisturizing calendula salve recipe is perfect for dry, cracked hands that have been in the soil all day!

Ingredients

• 1 cup calendula + friends infused oil

• 2-4 tbsp beeswax

Directions 

• Place infused oil and beeswax in a double boiler over low heat (or a glass or ceramic bowl or canning jar over a small saucepan of simmering water) until beeswax has melted and ingredients are thoroughly combined.

• Dip a clean spoon in to the formula and place it into the refrigerator so the salve will cool quickly and you can determine if its consistency is what you desire. If the sample is too soft, add a little more wax to the warm salve; the sample is too hard, add a little more of the infused oil.

• While warm, pour individual portions into appropriate containers and allow to cool at room temperature.

• Once cool put the lids on and label.

• Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Will you try this recipe? Learn herbalism with Herbal Academy by clicking here

Make This Natural Herbal Face Steam With Just 5 Ingredients [Recipe]

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Our skin bears the burden of our carelessness on a daily basis - in the driest season, when the air itself is parched of moisture, we still can’t seem to keep up with our eight glasses of water a day, leaving our skin dry and dull - especially when less sunlight is still to be found. And so all sorts of ailments befall us, from chapped lips to premature aging and flaky foreheads. I’ll be the first to admit that as much as I enjoy my skincare routine, it easily falls to the wayside due to my chronic illness or general busyness, my exterior being low on my list of priorities when my joints are aching.

What can we do about dry skin, besides simply hydrating with water and moisturizer? At this point in the season, our skin needs more than simple maintenance. We need a repair. And the best way to jump start this process is to incorporate the spa-like but deceptively simple practice of an herbal face steam.

What does face steaming do?

• The heat from face steams loosens oils to aid in the removal of unwanted substances, like excess sebum (oils produced by your skin follicles), dirt and bacteria.

• Since acne is caused by excess sebum trapped in your follicles prompting bacteria growth, face steams help combat acne.

• When your pores are open and warm, they can more easily absorb hydration as well as any skincare products you apply afterwards.

• The heat from the steam also results in increased circulation, promoting healing.

• Face steaming is also a meditative, calming practice you can incorporate into your mindfulness routine.

I’ll get into all of the details for how to make your own diy face steam at home below, but first let's talk a bit about the individual plants, flowers and herbs we will be using in this recipe. You’ll only need four herbs for this project, but if you feel like substituting something for one listed below there’s no harm in making the recipe your own. You’ll be able to mix up a batch in less than 5 minutes, and be well on your way to a calming self care ritual that is affordable, natural and zero-waste.

This recipe comes from the Botanical Skincare Course from Herbal Academy and its corresponding book of recipes - you can see my full review of this in depth course here and sign up for classes by clicking here.

Benefits of Chamomile

Because chamomile has anti-inflammatory properties in the form of powerful antioxidants including polyphenols and phytochemicals, it helps to protect against long-term and short-term skin inflammation. Chamomile may also accelerate cell and tissue regeneration, promoting healing. It is also antifungal, antibacterial, and antiseptic. With all these powerful actions, this beautiful apple scented bloom may help to treat an active acne breakout, reducing bacteria and cleansing the skin, whilst also preventing future breakouts.

Benefits of yarrow

Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Herbal legend has described that yarrow (Achillea millefolium) was named after Achilles, the Greek mythical hero who used it to stop the bleeding wounds of his soldiers during the Trojan War in 1200 BC. In Medieval times, yarrow leaves were rolled up and stuffed in the nose to stop bleeding. It is particularly beneficial in reducing inflammation; it's effective in speeding healing, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, reducing redness, unclog pores, calm irritation and reduce acne scars.

Benefits of lavender

Aside from its lovely scent, lavender’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties make it an incredibly useful plant for our skin. It can soothe and calm skin, help fight acne, and even help heal minor cuts and burns. It is useful for rashes and skin irritations caused by medical conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. Some studies have shown that the antioxidants in lavender may even help to reduce wrinkles.

Benefits of thyme

Thyme has been widely acknowledged as one of the most used herbs since as far back as ancient Egypt. Thyme belongs to the Lamiaceae, also known as mint, family. Due to thyme’s high thymol content, it kills bacteria and fungus. Thyme has the benefit of antifungal and antiseptic properties. With its circulatory and medicinal properties, Thyme fortifies the skin and provides relief from itching and tightness caused by dry skin.

History of facial steaming

Face steaming is a part of an Ayurvedic therapy called 'Swedana', that helps to remove toxins from the skin and deeply cleanses the pores. Turkish hammam bathhouses, which were both social and wellness hot spots for cleansing and relaxing in steamy rooms, are one of the earliest examples of steaming as self care—their origins can be traced back to the Roman empire. The first commercial face steamer was produced in 1903, though of course you don’t need any special tools to steam your face - a large bowl and a towel to drape over your head are all that is necessary. 

Does steam actually open your pores?

Using warm water to “open” your pores is technically impossible. Since your pores aren't muscles, they can't voluntarily open and contract, so hot water and steam won't open your pores. What steam can do is loosen the sebum (oil) in your face, allowing it to slide out of the pores easily when you wash with cleanser. So why do your pores look “smaller” when you apply certain treatments? It’s actually caused by tiny blood vessels expanding in your skin, causing minor swelling that pushes the pores closer together. The size of your pores is dictated by the amount of collagen in your skin, genetics and many other factors. It cannot be permanently altered.

Face steams are so easy to make and use - in their most basic form, all you need is hot water! Of course, adding herbs, aromatic oils and other compounds to the hot water can result in a supportive infusion with multiple benefits. I encourage you to experiment with different herbal combinations that you are drawn to. If you don’t like one of the scents of the ingredients listed below, sub it out for rose petals or something else. Herbal steams for your face also make sweet and thoughtful gifts for birthdays and holidays alike - blended together they can create a beautiful rainbow effect. I have blended cornflower, rose and lavender for a blue red and purple confetti that looked amazing packed into tiny clear glass test tube vases with a little cork topper.  

If you are just learning about herbalism, facial steams are a great easy beginner DIY skincare project and introduction to herbal remedies, using plants that are considered generally safe for most. And if you find you have sensitive skin that can’t tolerate many products directly applied to your face, a steam can be a gentle way to incorporate these herbs into your routine without a direct topical application.

You will need a large bowl that is glass or ceramic. We don’t want to use plastic or anything that may contain other harmful chemicals that could vaporize and be released into the steam through the hot water. You will also want to grab a lightweight small towel to cover your head with and trap the steam inside a little makeshift tent. I wouldn’t use a heavier bath towel as it could place undue strain on your neck and the last thing we need is a sore neck from what is supposed to be a relaxing experience! I do also recommend choosing a spot where you can comfortably sit at a height where the bowl is resting on a table you do not have to stoop or bend to relax in front of, and (though I know how tough this can be!) eliminate all distractions - you don’t want a child asking where their favorite bear is or TikTok notification to startle you into splashing yourself with the hot water!

Once your blend is ready, put your phone on silent and unplug, allowing yourself to fully embrace these few minutes of peace and tranquility in your busy day, unwinding and resetting your face and heart for the challenges to come and giving yourself permission to just be.

Herbal face steam by Herbal Academy

An herbal steam with antimicrobial and antiseptic herbs can be a lovely way to pamper and support irritated, acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

2 tbsp chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) flower

2 tbsp lavender (Lavandula spp.) flower bud

2 tbsp yarrow (Achillea millefolium) aerial parts

2 tbsp thyme (Thymus vulgaris) aerial parts 

2 quarts (64 fl oz) water

Directions

 ● Combine herbs in a wide glass or ceramic bowl.

 ● Heat water to boiling, then pour over herbs.

 ● Sit comfortably with face positioned 10 inches from the bowl—close enough to feel the steam, but not so close as to be burned by it.

 ● Cover head with a towel, creating a tent over your head and the bowl.

 ● Steam face for approximately 5 minutes.

 ● Splash cool water on face and gently pat dry with a clean towel.

Will you try this recipe? Learn herbalism with Herbal Academy by clicking here

Is Herbal Academy Worth It? + Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe [Review]

The Cottage Peach is reader-supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you. All opinions are our own.

Herbal Academy Botanical Skincare Course

This fall, Herbal Academy generously gifted me the opportunity to become a student and experience their Botanical Skincare Course. I have been passionate about using natural products in my skincare routine for many years now, and this was the perfect opportunity to take a deep dive into learning all about making my own DIY skincare products using natural ingredients.

What does the Herbal Academy Botanical Skincare course include?

The Botanical Skincare Course from Herbal Academy has everything you need to begin making your own natural skincare products at home. The course is separated into three units - unit one covers the anatomy and functions of the skin, providing a detailed but understandable scientific overview of exactly what and how our skin works. Some of this information will probably be common knowledge, but I found the included illustrations, charts and graphs extremely helpful.

Unit two covers skincare from the inside, offering a comprehensive holistic approach to skincare that went further than I expected a skincare course to go. But this is exactly what makes the Herbal Academy courses so special - rather than just throwing a bunch of great recipes your way and leaving you to fend for yourself, this unit really cements the importance of whole body care and all the ways that how we eat and live impact our skin health, with great tips for aiding digestion as well.

This unit also covered alternative wellness practices from other cultures including ayurveda and chinese medicine - these are of less interest to me personally, as I try to align my herbalism with my own celtic culture and avoid appropriating other cultures in my practice. I found it off-putting that the module on Chinese medicine in particular did not take the opportunity to feature an instructor from the Chinese community in the lesson - while the white male instructor seems to be very knowledgeable and qualified, I would have loved to see better cultural representation in this unit.

Unit three covers skincare recipe formulation and more of the technical creation of actual recipes. To be honest, I was so pleasantly surprised by how much the course included - for how small of an investment this course is, I would have been happy with just the content in unit three, so the other two units really felt like a huge bonus. You have access to the online coursework for one year after you activate it, but each unit offers the option to download a PDF version of all the content within the course to access indefinitely. The downloadable PDFs alone are over 600 pages of course material, so this one will keep you busy for a good long time!

Is the Botanical Skincare Course for beginners?

This course would be great for herbalists of all levels who are looking to expand their knowledge and explore natural skincare product creation. There is a good mix of basic to intermediate content.

Is Herbal Academy Worth It?

Yes, I feel Herbal Academy is definitely worth the investment. You can click here to enroll in the course. You’ll have the option to purchase the companion book alongside the course - I highly recommend you do so, as the book alone is packed with recipes that you’ll want to try during and after completing the course.

Since lavender is one of my favorite plants to grow and to work with, I decided to make the lavender oat scrub from the companion book that goes along with the course. You can purchase this book separately from the course, but together with the course you are able to really dive deep into the methods and skills needed to make your own non-toxic skincare products.

What Are the Benefits of Using Lavender on Your Skin?

Aside from its lovely scent, lavender’s anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties make it an incredibly useful plant for our skin.

It can soothe and calm skin, help fight acne, and even help heal minor cuts and burns. It is useful for rashes and skin irritations caused by medical conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, and eczema. Some studies have shown that the antioxidants in lavender may even help to reduce wrinkles.

Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil has a long history as a medicinal treatment. It is important to make the distinction between lavender oil and lavender essential oil. Lavender oil is purely a scent, while lavender essential oil is what we want for medicinal or herbal usage.

Lavender essential oil is made by steaming dried lavender flowers. The heat of the steam releases the oils from the blooms.

Uses for Lavender Essential Oil

Aside from home uses, studies have proven that lavender essential oil can increase the effect of antiseptics commonly used to combat staph infections for patients who are having surgery.

At home, the antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties of lavender essential oil can help cuts and burns heal faster and fight infection. It is very soothing for sunburn and insect bites, as well.

As an antifungal and anti-inflammatory, lavender essential oil can reduce the inflammation caused by eczema and help treat psoriasis, while helping to balance your skin’s moisture barrier.

One unexpected use for lavender essential oil is to prevent and treat acne. It may seem that adding oil to oily skin would be counter-effective, but lavender essential oil can help regulate your skin's oil production.

A common treatment for acne is to use a stripping product to remove oils from your skin. What happens when you do this is that your skin becomes too dry, and tries to compensate for that by making more oil. Pores become clogged, and combined with acne bacteria, you have the perfect environment for pimples.

Like these products, lavender essential oil can kill off the bacteria, but without drying out your skin and continuing the cycle of oil production. It is non-comedogenic, so it doesn’t clog your pores, and its anti-inflammatory properties help soothe any acne you do have.

Lavender essential oil is also useful as a hair product. Its antibacterial and antiseptic properties protect your scalp against bacteria, and it can help with dry scalp and dandruff. As a bonus, it is also believed to boost hair growth.

How to Use Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender essential oil should not be applied directly to your skin, because it may cause irritation.

For use as a skin cream, add it to your regular moisturizer or combine it with a carrier oil to create your own serum. Jojoba is a good carrier oil for most skin types. For dry skin, argan oil is very moisturizing, while for sensitive skin it might be best to go with rosehip oil.

To use your serum, apply 2-3 drops to problem areas.

To use lavender essential oil for acne, dilute it with carrier oil and apply it to your skin after washing your face.

You can also make a skin toner by mixing 2 or 3 drops of lavender essential oil with 1 teaspoon of witch hazel. Gently apply it to your face with a soft cloth or cotton ball.

To use lavender essential oil for dandruff, dilute the oil and scrub it into your scalp. You can wash it out after 10 minute or wrap your head in a towel and keep it on overnight.

For sunburn, combine lavender essential oil with aloe vera.

What Are the Benefits of Using Oatmeal on Your Skin?

Besides being a powerhouse of nutrition for our bodies, oatmeal is a great choice to use on our skin. People have used oats for centuries to treat rashes, eczema, and itchiness.

Oats are all natural, suitable for all skin types, inexpensive, and easy to acquire. Their amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids are all beneficial to our skin.

Using oatmeal on your skin can help it to maintain just the right pH, which is especially helpful for sensitive skin, and also provides your skin with vitamin E, which helps to retain moisture.

Oats work very well as an exfoliator, gently removing the dry outer layers of skin and working to remove the dirt and oil beneath, leaving your skin smooth and glowing. If used on the scalp, oatmeal can help to reduce dandruff.

Because it helps clear your pores, oatmeal is an effective option for helping to treat acne breakouts and reduce the redness they cause.

The starches in oatmeal help maintain your skin’s moisture barrier by attracting water to the skin, and the saponins have soap-like properties that make it an effective skin-cleanser. They were used for that purpose as far back as ancient Rome.

An oatmeal bath is a cooling way to calm skin inflamed by chicken pox or shingles, and its anti-inflammatory properties help to soothe itchiness. Along with itchiness, an oatmeal bath can also be helpful for sunburn, eczema, and psoriasis.

How to Use Oats for Your Skin

To use as a body cleanser, make lavender oat scrub from the recipe below.

For dry skin, use colloidal oats mixed with a bit of rose water. Colloidal oats are a finely-ground oat product. You can make your own by pulverizing or grinding oats yourself. Let it sit on your skin for 5-10 minutes, then rinse.

You can make a face mask with 2 parts oatmeal, 1 part honey, and a bit of rose oil. Leave the mixture on your skin for 10 minutes, then rinse.

To make an oatmeal bath, use water that is not too hot. (Heat can irritate skin.) Pour a cup of colloidal oatmeal under the faucet as it runs. If you don’t have colloidal oatmeal, you can put oats into a sock, tie it up, place it in the water, and swirl it around until the water looks milky.

If you are ready to give oats a try on your hair, mix finely-ground oats with your shampoo and wash as normal.

Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe

Lavender oat scrub is the perfect way to combine the benefits of the lavender and the oatmeal. It can be used as an all-over body scrub to exfoliate and moisturize your skin.

DIY Lavender Scrub

It is quite easy to make lavender oat scrub, which makes it a nice way to try your hand at herbal remedies, if you never have.

Mix some up for yourself, or gift a friend with their very own lavender oat scrub!

The recipe below is from Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skincare Recipe Book. The book is a great resource, with 194 all-natural recipes for body care products from an herbalist perspective. Click here to purchase it alongside the companion course for a fully immersive experience.

What You Need to Make Lavender Oat Scrub

1/4 cup oats

4 tsp sugar

2 tsp lavender buds

¼ cup jojoba oil

Lavender Oat Scrub Recipe

Directions:

Grind the oats, sugar, and lavender into a powder. (You can use a food processor, blender, spice grinder, or mortar & pestle.)

Combine the powder with the oil and stir well.

Using Lavender Oat Scrub

To use your lavender oat scrub, apply it to your skin and scrub in a circular motion.

Rinse off with luke-warm water and pat your skin dry.

Note: This body scrub can make your tub slippery, so be sure to wipe it down afterwards.

Click here to start your herbalism journey with Herbal Academy!