Arnica Cream

Arnica infused oil, check: {Pain Relief Lotion Bar}

I like cream rather than lotion bars. That's why I use arnica infused oil to make this pain relief cream.

1. Arnica flowers + cayenne + ginger infused sunflower oil: 21g
2. Beeswax: 1g
3. Emulsifying wax: 7g
4. Lavender hydrosol 63g + aloe liquid 7g(what I have left)
5. Preservative 0.5g (according to brand instruction)

Sakura Stamp

Simplicity/Beauty

Aloe Rose Cream

Based on my last post {Aloe Rose Anti-Aging Skin Cream}, I made some changes. First, strained the pulp from aloe gel with fine cloth to extract only aloe liquid. Second, I added silk (proteins de soie from Aroma-Zone).

1. Sunflower oil: 10g
2. Resehip oil: 8g
3. Shea butter: 3g
4. Beeswax: 0.5g
5. Rose wax: 0.5g
6. Olive emulsifying wax: 7g
7. Preservative: 0.5g (according to the brand you use)
8. Rose hydrosol: 55g 
9. Aloe vera liquid: 15g

Very delicate texture. Easy to absorb and light.

Aloe Rose Anti-Aging Skin Cream

This cream is inspired by {The Nerdy Farm Wife}. Click the link and you can see Jan's recipe: {Aloe Rose Anti-Aging Skin Cream}.

However, I like to have lighter texture and made some modifications.

1. Sunflower oil: 13g
2. Resehip oil: 7g
3. Shea butter: 3g
4. Beeswax: 0.5g
5. Olive emulsifying wax: 7g
6. Preservative: 0.5g (according to the brand you use)
7. Rose hydrosol: 50g 
8. Aloe vera gel: 20g

Strained the pulp from the cream.
The cream is soft and a little bit sticky.
When applying to skin, it is absorbed quickly.
Quite light and moisturizing.

Aloe Vera Gel Benefits (By Kristin Canning)

The following information is derived from: https://www.health.com/beauty/aloe-vera-benefits

Aloe vera can help clear up breakouts

Aloe vera contains salicylic acid and other antiseptic compounds that kill off the bacteria that cause acne, says Francesca Fusco, MD, an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. That makes it a great natural remedy for breakouts, and an excellent cleanser for the skin. One caveat: Before you apply aloe vera to inflamed skin, do a patch test elsewhere in your body. In rare cases, it can cause a reaction in highly sensitive people, says Dr. Fusco.

It moisturizes dry skin

Aloe vera is packed with minerals, enzymes, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and E, which all work together to reinforce the skin’s barrier. “It’s incredibly moisturizing,” says Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist in New York City and author of Skin Rules. Aloe also contains polyphenols, which appear to protect against skin cancer and free radicals that age the skin, says Dr. Jaliman.

RELATED: 10 Surprising Beauty Uses for Coconut Oil

It can soothe irritated skin

Conditions like rosacea, eczema, and psoriasis are often linked to dryness and inflammation. Aloe vera’s fatty acids, along with an enzyme called bradykinin, can help calm the skin, says Dr. Fusco.

Apply it to minor burns and wounds

In addition to antibacterial properties, aloe vera contains compounds that can reduce inflammation, says Dr. Fusco. The juice is also super hydrating, so it may help boost the skin’s elasticity as it heals. One review of scientific research found that aloe vera sped up the rate of healing for minor burn wounds by almost nine days. But other studies have shown mixed results in terms of the plant’s healing powers—so it’s best to use it only on minor wounds and burns.

Treat a cold sore

The plant’s antiviral properties may help fight off the herpes virus. Aloe can also provide soothing relief, and cover and protect the irritated skin.

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Use it as a shaving cream

Thanks to its gel texture, aloe vera makes a great hydrating shave cream. Its antibacterial properties mean it’s also beneficial for small razor nicks, says Dr. Jaliman.

Or a natural makeup remover

Since aloe vera is gentle on the skin and has a gel-like consistency, it works well as a natural makeup remover. Smooth it on and wipe off with a washcloth to cleanse and moisturize at the same time. “It’s anti-aging and moisturizing, making it a perfect beauty product,” says Dr. Jaliman. “And it’s a good alternative for people who have sensitive skin and can have reactions to ingredients in standard makeup removers."

Dish Soap with Aloe Gel

I had too much aloe gel left, so I decided to add into the recipe.

1. 冷壓橘油：37g (剩下的全加了）
2. 蘆薈膠 Aloe Gel：104g（加到油裡）
3. Trace 很快，溫度高，易裂
4. 亂加了一些甘油皂條

Pine Tar and Sweet Almond Soap II

Only used a spoon to stir the soap batter.
Stir sweet almond oil mix first, then pine
tar oil mix. Still the pine tar mix part set up
very quickly, couldn't do what I planned to do.

• 1% sodium lactate
• unscented
• use spoon to stir to light trace, then pour into mold

芝麻油皂 Sesame Oil Soap

This soap set up quickly. I used a spoon to stir till light trace, then
poured into the mold. Sprinkle gold mica powder for decoration.
Sesame oil is good for skin and hair.

1. 1% sodium lactate
2. Cedarwood essential oil:11g
3. Gold mica powder for decoration

• Trace fast, only used spoon to stir.
• Poured into mold when light trace. 

甜杏仁松焦油皂 Pine Tar and Sweet Almond Soap

• Trace very fast
• Pour in mold quickly

1. 1% sodium lactate
2. Lavender essential oil

1. 1% sodium lactate
2. Lavender essential oil

Pine Tar Salve 松焦油藥膏

This recipe is adapted from https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/old-fashioned-pine-tar-salve/

The following information is extracted from https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/old-fashioned-pine-tar-salve/

"Old-fashioned pine tar salve has been traditionally used to treat everything from splinters, bug bites and boils, to patches of eczema or psoriasis."

1. Castor oil: 4g
2. Pine tar: 8g
3. Sunflower oil: 14g
4. Beeswax: 4g

Pine Tar Soap 松焦油皂

Extract from https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/pine-tar-soap-recipe/

"Old-fashioned pine tar soap has traditionally been used to help with psoriasis, eczema, and other skin afflictions. Some also use it for treating flaky scalp and dandruff."

"Pine tar soap is different than many others in that it sets up FAST. You don’t want to use your stick blender for this recipe. You should have everything organized and the mold prepared before you start mixing."

Really set up fast. 

1. Sodium lactate: 3.6g
2. Cedarwood essential oil + lavender essential oil: 17g

Aloe Vera Soap 蘆薈皂

For more information about how to make this aloe vera soap, please check https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/fresh-aloe-vera-soap-recipe/

This recipe is adapted from https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/fresh-aloe-vera-soap-recipe/
I made some changes.

1. Sodium lactate: 3.6g added to lye water.
2. Green mica oil: 35g (to oil mix).
3. Aloe gel: 50g (to oil)
4. Rose geranium: 17g

Quick trace. Mix 1~3 then add lye water. At last the essential oil.

Aloe Gel 蘆薈膠萃取

Reference site: https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/fresh-aloe-vera-soap-recipe/


The following information is from: https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/fresh-aloe-vera-soap-recipe/

How to extract fresh aloe for soapmaking

1. Cut the aloe leaf into several sections.
2. Use a sharp knife to run along the inside edges of each section, separating the inner gel from the outer skin.
3. Use your fingers or a spoon and press the aloe gel from the leaf.
4. Place in a small food processor or blender.
5. Process until smooth. (It will get fluffy, almost like egg whites.)
6. Store in the refrigerator if you’ll be making soap within a few days, or freeze in ice trays for longer storage.

Elderberry Tincture 接骨木藥酒

https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/elderberry-tincture-with-herbs/ states the procedures of making elderberry tinctures.

The following information is from https://thenerdyfarmwife.com/elderberry-tincture-with-herbs/

Directions to make elderberry tincture:

1. Fill the jar about 1/4 of the way, if using dried elderberries, or 1/2 of the way if using fresh berries.
2. Add a few pinches of antiviral herbs, if you’d like.
3. Add vodka to the jar until it’s almost filled to the top.
4. Use a chopstick or knife to gently stir and release any air bubbles; add more vodka if needed.
5. Cover with a lid, label, and tuck in a dark cabinet for 4 to 6 weeks, or longer.
6. Strain and pour the elderberry infused liquid into glass jars or bottles.

Shelf life is at least one year, or longer.

Arnica Salve 山金車花藥膏

使用部位：花朵
功效：抗發炎，創傷
外用功效：瘀傷、扭傷。對於降低風濕痛、靜脈炎疼痛有舒緩效果。只要傷口沒有破裂產生的疼痛都有效果。

浸泡葵花油

After Gym Soap

1. 3.5g sodium lactate
2. Lavender essential oil
3. Decorative glycerin soaps
4. Activated charcoal, gold mica

St. John's Wort Salve 聖約翰草藥膏

Inspired by reading this herb book, I made this St. John's Wort Salve.

The following information is from: The Complete Herbs Sourcebook by David Hoffmann, p. 320.

"... Externally, it is a valuable healing and anti-inflammatory remedy. As a lotion, it will speed the healing of wounds and bruises, varicose veins, and mild burns. The oil is especially useful for the healing of sunburn."  

聖約翰草外用功效：癒合與抗發炎。加速傷口、瘀青、靜脈曲張、輕微燙傷的痊癒。浸泡油對曬傷很有幫助。

Tried this salve. It can ease itchy skin too.

Infusion oil：Organic beeswax＝7.2：1
浸泡油：有機蜂蠟＝7.2：1

Germany China Oil：Few drops
德國百靈油：Few drops

St. John's Wort Infusion

Double boiler method. Melt the two ingredients, remove from water,
add China oil, then pour into tins.

Can be used right away after cool.

Honey and Oatmeal Soap with Chamomile Infusion

The soaps I made recently are all 5% super fat. They tend to be softer.
I think they may need more time to cure, perhaps 2 months.
I will try to reduce the water ratio to 2.1:1.

1. Sodium lactate: 1%
2. Chamomile infused olive oil
3. Honey: 1T
4. Fine ground oatmeal: 1T
5. Mica colorant
6. Glycerin soaps and soap curls for decoration on the top 
7. Unscented