All-Natural Aftershave Balm for Natural Products Day | achs.edu

Apr 14, 2016 10:54:02 AM | holistic health and the law All-Natural Aftershave Balm for Natural Products Day | achs.edu

Celebrate Natural Products Day with this DIY all-natural soothing aftershave balm recipe.

{DIY} All-Natural Soothing Aftershave Balm I hope you caught ACHS President Dorene Petersen and my blog update from this year’s Natural Products Day in Washington, DC. It was an amazing experience, and I’m so proud of our holistic health community! If you missed that blog post, go check it out here, and stay tuned for my next post on our adventures as lobbyists in DC.

But I want to do more! So, here’s my educational contribution (DIY recipe below!) you can use and share to celebrate Natural Products Day and take a stand on the products you choose to buy and use on your body. You’re a limited resource after all! I hope you enjoy this DIY all-natural soothing aftershave balm recipe as an alternative to lots of chemical-laden products on the market. 

Plus, it smells great and makes a perfect Father’s Day gift (it’s coming up!) or special treat for the people in your life. Yes, women can use this luscious balm, too!

{DIY} All-Natural Soothing Aftershave BalmDIY All-Natural Soothing Aftershave Balm 

Ingredients

Apricot kernel oil: 1⁄2 cup


Wheat germ oil: 3 tablespoons


Aloe vera gel: 3 tablespoons


Dried calendula Calendula officinalis flowers: 2 tablespoons

Dried comfrey Symphytum officinale leaves: 2 tablespoons

Shea butter: 2 tablespoons


Beeswax (grated): 2 tablespoons

Directions 

Combine oils and dried herbs in small saucepan and heat gently in a double boiler or water bath over low heat for 15 minutes. Do not overheat, as this will affect the herb’s actions.

Cool the oil and strain through doubled cheesecloth. You may want to put your cheesecloth or muslin into a colander to make this easier. You can wear gloves if you want, but the oils will leave your hands wonderfully soft if you do not. 

Put the herb-infused oil back into the double boiler or water bath. Add the shea butter and beeswax and heat gently until melted. 

Stir and cool until mixture becomes cloudy. Put the mixture into a blender. Add the aloe vera, and blend until creamy on high speed.

Store in a sterile amber glass jar and apply after shaving or as needed. 

The balm is also good on other areas that need soothing—it contains antioxidant vitamins A and E. Calendula C. officinalis and comfrey S. officinale are restorative and anti-inflammatory. Shea butter is a natural moisturizer. 

How will you be celebrating Natural Products Day? I’d love to see your recipes and thoughts in the comments.

Holistic Winter Skin Care ClassDisclosure of Material Connection: I am the CSO of American College of Healthcare Sciences, the Institution that publishes this blog. However, all opinions are our own. If this blog contains affiliate links, they will be marked with an asterisk. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”  

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. This article has not been reviewed by the FDA. Always consult with your primary care physician or naturopathic doctor before making any significant changes to your health and wellness routine. 

Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Written By: Dorene Petersen, ACHS Founding President

Dorene is the Founding President of the American College of Healthcare Sciences (ACHS). She has over 45 years of clinical teaching and lecturing experience in aromatherapy and other holistic health subjects. She has presented papers on essential oils and clinical aromatherapy at the International Federation of Essential Oils and Aroma Trades Annual Conference (IFEAT) in California, USA; the Aroma Environment Association of Japan (AEAJ) in Tokyo, Japan; the Asian Aroma Ingredients Congress (AAIC) and Expo in Bali, Indonesia; the International Center of Advanced Aromatherapy (ICAA) at the WonGwang Digital University in Seoul, Korea; as well as the AAIC Expo in Kunming, Yunnan, China. Dorene is a founding member of the Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) and served as its chair until 2023. Dorene is also involved in the distance education community and has served as a volunteer, committee member, and standards evaluator for the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). Dorene is a travel junkie, and has led ACHS Study Abroad programs to India, Indonesia, Greece, and Hawaii!