My oh my, how I love writing about Haitian treasures. A while ago, I wrote about "Tensyon tea", a tea formulated to help reduce the effects of hyperthyroidism and associated symptoms, like anxiety, heart palpitations, insomnia, irritability, etc. Bet you weren't expecting a follow up to that one!
I created a rub (an oil based topical application) that could also help reduce anxiety, mainly due to the amazingly calming scents. This rub also has herbs hand-picked from Haiti!
It contains soothing citronelle (lemon balm), a little bit of kowosol (soursop), a lovely mixture of nourishing carrier oils, and the ever-relaxing lavender and chamomile essential oils.
I have been using this rub I created for a while now, and it just smells so amazing. It also really helps promote a restful sleep
Here we go!
"Tensyon" rub
1/2 Tsp lemon balm herb (citronelle)
1/2 Tsp of soursop herb (kowosol)
1/3 cup jojoba oil
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup coconut oil
15g beeswax
50 drops Lavender EO, 30 drops chamomile EO
Rationale
- Since this was the “lead herb” in the tea for
addressing anxiety, I thought it made sense
energetically to include it in the rub
- smells lovely
- also has relaxing and soothing effects,
making it appropriate for reducing anxiety
- Traditionally, Haitians have put crushed kowosol leaves on children's pillows to help induce relaxation and sleep
- the most important element
- calming and relaxing affects, especially
effective at treating anxiety and insomnia
- improves mental alertness upon waking
Homemade Chamomile essential Oil
-
a sweet herb, physically and energetically
-
soothing, relaxing, tonic
How to make it?
1.
Place herbs
in 9 oz jar and pour oils over herb mixture, make sure the volume of oil covers
all the herbs
2.
Place dried
herbs and oil in a double boiler and bring to a low simmer
3.
Digest the
mixture for about an hour (ideally 1-2 hrs) while making sure it is not
overheating
4.
Press out as
much oil from the herb as possible
5.
Store in a
dark, glass bottle and label.
6.
Pour infused
herbal oil into measuring cup and fill it to the 1 cup mark, if it does not
reach the 1 cup mark, top it off with enough of the oil previously used for the
infusion
7.
Place
measuring cup into a water bath and heat the infused oil
8.
Add ~ 15 g
of beeswax to the infused oil
9.
Let it melt
and stir
10.
Check for consistency
with a frozen spoon
a.
Add more
beeswax to adjust consistency if needed
11.
Once
achieved desired consistency, remove the infused oil from the water bath
12.
Add enough
essential oil to the infused oil, as needed
13.
Add the
vitamin E oil when the infused oil is cooled, as a preservative
14.
Pour mixture
into opaque containers, put on the lid and label them
15.
Store in a
cool dry place
Directions:
Use as needed. Rub appropriate
amount on your body to relieve anxiety and to have a calming experience- particularly useful right before bed.
If you try to make this yourself, please let me know how you like it!
And as usual, if you enjoyed this post or have any comments, feel free to leave them below!
<3
Stay engaged,
N
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The "Haitian Treasures" series explores the magnificent benefits and uses of Haiti's natural resources, which I call "Haitian Treasures" because they are truly national gems. Naïka in Balance is the premiere source for information on healing herbs used by Haitians. In this series, I explore the tie between Haiti's natural resources and natural, traditional, and holistic healing.
Learn about other Haitian Treasures explored on this blog here!
The two most popular Haitian Treasures on this blog are:
Castor oil/l'huile palma christi
Wonder of the world plant/fey lougawou
The two most popular Haitian Treasures on this blog are:
Castor oil/l'huile palma christi
Wonder of the world plant/fey lougawou
Naika, the writer of this blog, has a doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine and a Masters of Science in Acupuncture as of June 2017. Please do not take the information presented on this blog, as medical advice, without consulting your certified health care practitioner. Knowledge is power and your health is your wealth!
