Post Series: Herbal Preparations
In this post series, we explore the diverse ways botanicals can be prepared for culinary, wellness, and commercial applications. Learning about herbal preparation can deepen your understanding, promote self-reliance, and spark innovation in crafting unique, high-value botanical products.
Lotions are semi-liquid emulsions of oil and water used to deliver the benefits of herbs directly to the skin. Unlike salves or balms, lotions are lighter, absorb quickly, and often contain water-based herbal infusions or hydrosols, making them ideal for cooling, hydrating, or treating larger areas of the body.
Across cultures and centuries, herbal lotions have been used for skincare, pain relief, wound healing, and treating rashes or inflammation. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda, Greco-Arabic Unani systems, and Indigenous healing practices from Africa and the Americas, water-and-oil-based herbal preparations were applied to soothe burns, nourish dry skin, or apply medicinal plants to injuries, sometimes combined with ceremonial or spiritual practices.
How to Make a Simple Herbal Lotion at Home:
1. Prepare a water base – Make a strong tea (infusion or decoction) of your chosen herb(s)—like calendula, chamomile, or lavender—and strain well.
2. Melt oils and waxes – In a double boiler, gently melt a blend of carrier oils (e.g., almond or coconut) and a small amount of emulsifying wax or beeswax.
3. Emulsify – Slowly blend the water base into the melted oils using an immersion blender, whisking until the mixture thickens into a lotion-like consistency.
4. Cool and store – Add optional natural preservatives (like vitamin E or essential oils with antimicrobial properties), pour into clean jars or pumps, and refrigerate or use within a few weeks.
Lotions are an enjoyable way to connect with plants through touch and self-care. Always patch-test new preparations and adjust your formula to match your skin type and herbal goals.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.