Calendula salve using essential oils

I recently began following The Paleo Mama and went through her site to join doTerra.  She had this salve on there for eczema that looked interesting.  Here are the things that appealed to me about her recipe (yes I will include it):

1. It looked overall cheaper than a 4oz container of California Baby Calendula cream
2. I wasn't quite sure of all the ingredients in the above cream so I wasn't sure exactly what I was putting on my son
3. It gave me an excuse to play in the kitchen!
4. It made more salve than the above cream and was overall cheaper (price breakdown to follow)

Here is the original recipe: http://thepaleomama.com/2014/01/purpose-healing-salve/

Here's what I did.

1/2c mango butter (where to buy)
1/2c kokum butter (where to buy)
2oz Avocado Oil (where to buy)
1/3c calendula flowers (where to buy)
2 oz beeswax (where to buy)
30 drops Lavender essential oil (where to buy)
15 drops melaleuca essential oil ( where to buy
15 drops of frankincense essential oil (where to buy)
10 drops of Helichrysum (where to buy)

Melt the mango butter, kokum butter, and avocado oil in a double boiler (or a glass bowl over a sauce pan).  After the oils are melted add the calendula flowers and simmer for 2 hours.  After 2 hours put a cheesecloth over a second glass bowl (or use a metal bowl at first and then a glass bowl, but make sure you're using glass when adding the essential oils) and drain the oil into the glass bowl.  Put the bowl back over the sauce pan and add the beeswax, once melted remove from heat to let cool.  Add the essential oils and cool further.  (I put mine in the fridge for about 45min) Once the mixture has cooled but is not hard (I stick my finger in the middle to make sure it's still soft but no longer liquid) pull out your hand mixer, stand mixer, or stick mixer and whip it, whip it good.  Now you're finished!  Put in a pretty jar (I used a mason jar) and label with your recipe so that you know how to remake it when it's empty or how to tweak it for next time.

Makes 1 cup (16oz)

Price breakdown:
Mango butter: 3.73
Kokum butter: 3.75 
Avocado oil: 1.62
Calendua flowers: 0.68
Beeswax: 1.46
Lavender oil: 2.70 (wholesale price per drop)
Melaleuca oil: 1.20 (wholesale price per drop)
Frankincense oil: 4.20 (wholesale price per drop)
Helichrysum oil: 9.10  (wholesale price per drop)

Total: 28.44 (keep in mind this is for 16oz of this amazing lotion!)

You can tweak this recipe however you want.  I chose to add helichrysum oil to my lotion because it has amazing healing properties for the skin.  This recipe can be made cheaper by using olive oil, coconut oil, and shea butter.  I'm not a huge fan of coconut oil (gritty) for my skin care products and I adore avocado oil!  I personally have keratosis piloris so I was looking for something super healing and really moisturizing.  The butters and oils I chose fit the bill!

I've crossed over into...essential oils!

Well here we go, a journey into knowing exactly what I'm putting into my body.  Does this mean that I no longer believe in western medicine?  Nope!  This means that I see the value of complimentary medicines along with western medicine and see the value of learning how to keep myself and my family healthy.

I had started looking at what kinds of things I cleaned with trying to reduce the amount of chemicals in my house.  I started using mostly vinegar and baking soda to clean my house.  This lasted about 6 months, because lets face it how easy is it to go to the store and buy a cleaning product.  I did try to use 7th generation products but truly nothing cleans a toilet like bleach.  I had made some cleaners for everyday use out of vinegar, water, and something that smelled good like orange oil.  I knew that Tea tree oil is often used as a natural antibiotic but didn't know how to use it.  I knew lemon smelled yummy but had no idea how else I could use it.  I had lavender but only knew to use it to help relax and I personally hated the smell.  Who knew it was because real lavender smells way better than fake!

So here I am on a journey that will hopefully keep our family healthy and not exposed to harsh chemicals that cause who knows what to happen in our bodies.

So far I've used my essential oils for our recent sickness.  Breathe and Frankincense have been amazing in our recent sickness.  I used breathe on Liam's chest and one drop of frank to help with his cough.  I also diffused breathe and lavender all night for both of us to help us well...breathe.  For me I used breath on my chest, frankincense, and then lemon. 

I'm so excited to begin this journey and have pins over a hundred pins on how to use essential oils and have recently purchased a book called Modern Essentials.  Oh and the two separate facebook groups on learning how to safely use essential oils.  Ah!!!!  I can hardly contain my excitement!