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| vapor rub by Stella Crown |
A necessary ingredient in products that fight cold or muscle pains are the menthol crystals.
Menthol crystals usually come from India and are extracted from the mint leaves with a soft cold process. They are dissolved in oil, water or alcohol at 40 degrees Celsius and can be incorporated into any cosmetics in an amount of 2 to 10%.They cool, revitalize and have a pleasantly strong fragrance. They are often used in cosmetics, ointments, balms, pharmaceutical creams, lotions, toothpaste, mouthwash, gum, foot spray, pain relief, shampoo, conditioner, ointments, shaving creams, mouthwash or neck gel. Crystals because they are quite concentrated, a small amount is enough.
Menthol creates a cooling sensation initially while the product on this skin is converted into heat and relaxes the body.
This winter, fortunately, I did not have to cope with colds, but I had to deal with muscle pains, so I decided to make a vapour rub with menthol crystals because I did not want to put the familiar ointments of the pharmacy on my skin. My friend Litsa gifted me a handmade mint extract and so I made a balm, basically, "for everything”.
Vapor Rub for Muscle Pains & Colds
recipe for 100 g | 3.5 oz
30 g | 1.06 oz shea butter
24 g | 0.85 oz early harvest olive oil
20 g | 0.71 oz cocoa butter
15 g | 0.53 oz mint infused almond oil
10 g | 0.35 oz sunflower wax
1 g | 0.04 oz menthol crystals
10 drops vitamin E
5 drops eucalyptus essential oil
tools
- a beaker
- a saucepan
- measuring spoons
- stainless steel whisk
- high accuracy digital scale
Sterilise tools, equipment and work surface and wear your gloves. Prepare a water bath by filling a heat- proof saucepan 1/3 full of water and place it to low heat. Weigh all the ingredients. Add all the ingredients into the beaker, except the essential oil. Place it in your prepared water bath to melt everything through.
Remove the beaker from the water bath and dry it off with a towel. Stir with the whisk to incorporate. Add vitamin E and eucalyptus oil and sit thoroughly.
Pour the balm into tins and leave it to solidify before capping.
The balm melts in contact with the skin and creates a rich mixture for massage. Use daily in the areas that are in pain. We can also melt it in essential oil burners by adding a tablespoon of water.
Ideal for tired feet.
Stella Crown©
