Quick and Easy Homemade Herbal Chapstick

From The Homesteader's Herbal Companion Book

I am not a typical chapstick user, but I found out quickly that you can make one batch of chapstick that will literally last you years. Or, if you're an avid chapstick user, it will make quite a few chapsticks for you to share with your friends and loved ones. Making homemade chapstick is literally one of the easiest and quickest herbal products you can make at home. It is also highly customizable.

Essential oils are the quickest way to add flavor or zing to your chapstick, but you could also just infuse actual herbs into your oil during the heating process. Or, you don't have to use herbs at all! This chapstick, with or without herbs, is very soothing to the lips. You'll wonder why you haven't been making homemade chapstick all along!

Below you'll find the recipe, taken from my book, The Homesteader's Herbal Companion.

Herbal Chapstick Recipe

1 oz coconut oil

½ oz lemon balm or peppermint infused oil

.5 oz beeswax

.5 oz cocoa butter

10 to 20 drops peppermint essential oil (optional)

4 drops eucalyptus essential oil (optional)

Method:

1. In a double boiler, mix coconut oil, infused oil, beeswax, and cocoa butter. Melt and combine well.

2. Turn heat off and mix in essential oils.

3. Pour mixture into chap stick tubes or individual tins. Allow to cool. Then cap tightly, label, and store for up to 1 year.

Switch up the essential oils for more scents and soothing relief.

You can also ditch the lemon balm in this recipe without adverse effects, you may just want to add a bit more coconut oil. The lemon balm in this recipe helps heal the skin of the lips and adds that extra hint of scent and flavor to the mix.

Not sure how to make infused oil?

It's very easy to make herb infused oils. Simply heat up the oil of your choice (I love jojoba or coconut) until it reaches melting point. Add your preferred amount of herbs to the oil and mix thoroughly. Turn the oven to 300, let the oven heat up all the way, then turn it off. Set the jars in the oven and let them sit for at least 3 hours to infuse well. Strain the oil, and you're done!

Infused oils will last about 6 months on your shelf. After that, check frequently to make sure it hasn't gone rancid.