MAKING MACERATIONS: A PRECIOUS WORK OF LOVE

Macerations, also called medicated oils, are delightful whether are used “as is” for massage or mixed with other ingredients in salves, moisturizing creams, lotions or vinaigrettes. They are extra simple to make.

You can use three different kinds of oils--olive oil, sesame oil and ghee--and two different methods--the “patience” method and the “I can’t wait” method. Regardless of the method, make sure your jar is sterilized.

RECIPE: Cooling your Pitta skin

Ingredients:

1/4 cup coconut oil

1/2 oz bees wax (or other natural wax)

1/8 cup aloe vera gel (Jason’s aloe vera gel with Spirulina is ideal for texture, but hard to find)

1/2 tsp neem oil
3 drops each of essential oils of sandalwood, mint, geranium, bergamot (add more if needed)

Method

1. Melt coconut oil and wax at low heat

2. Add 1/8 cup aloe vera gel to above while whipping with hand held mixer

3. Add neem oil and essential oils

If you find water separates from this mixture, do not worry, use it and make it penetrate.

Eczema: More than just a question of unguent

Quite a number of people I met recently complained about experiencing an increase in their eczema symptoms during summer. From an Ayurvedic perspective, this makes total sense.

The skin (and the eyes) being the seat of Pitta (fire), any excess of fire or heat regardless of the source (physical, mental or emotional) will manifest in those areas in the form of rashes, eczema, psoriasis, irritation or eye problems of all kinds, especially for those with a Pitta constitution.

Multi-level solutions