Vanilla and Lavender Body Lotion

 I decided to make my own lotion the other day. It is so easy to make ORGANIC body lotion, packed with good stuff like Shea Butter and Coconut Oil. This recipe only has 3 ingredients, besides kitchen tools.

Here's what you need:

3 Tablespoons of Shea butter  

2 Tablespoons of Coconut oil

1/4 cup of fragrant infused oil 

* I made my own lavender and vanilla infused olive oil, and I'll tell you how too*

1 squirt lotion bottle

a double boiler

a funnel

This is so simple and it takes less then 30 minutes.

Double Boiler from smokymtntreasures

1)In your double boiler melt the 2 tablespoons of coconut oil and the 3 tablespoons of Shea butter

Infused oil from Glorybeherbals

2) Once the oils are melted, pour in your 1/4 cup of infused oil.

( I made my own two months ago and I'll tell you how. I took a cup of dried lavender buds, 1 vanilla bean and stuffed them in a glass jar. I then poured olive oil in until it covered the flower buds. It needs to sit for at least 2-6 months and be shaken occasionally to allow the herbs and oil to "marry", as the cooks say it)

3) Gently stir until all of the oils are blended

4) Pour the liquid through a funnel into the lotion jar

Remember its hot! So use pot holders.

5) put it in the fridge to cool

6) Use it and smell great!

I seriously smell like a baked good, hot and fresh from the oven whenever I use this. Its the combination of coconut, lavender and vanilla bean that makes it smell so good.

Some awesome benefits of Coconut Oil and Shea Butter

This was given to me from a friend who got it on the website heartofwisdom.com

Coconut Oil

Painting from aidamarkiw

Studies show that virgin coconut oil completely heals, eliminates, reduces or protects against these ailments:

• liver disease
• kidney disease and bladder infections
• yeast that causes candida, jock itch, ringworm, athlete’s foot
• skin infections psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis
• bacteria that cause pneumonia, earache, throat infections
• bacteria that cause dental cavities, food poisoning, urinary tract infections
• bacteria that cause meningitis, gonorrhea, and dozens of other diseases
• benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate)
• breast, colon, and other cancers.
• periodontal disease and tooth decay
• hemorrhoids
• cystic fibrosis
• excess weight
• osteoporosis
• epileptic seizures
• chronic fatigue syndrome
• wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots
• dandruff, and the list goes on and on

Shea Butter

Unrefined Shea Butter from beijaflores

Shea butter info taken from treasuredlocks.com

Shea Butter can provide relief from everything from just dry skin to many minor dermatological diseases (if you have a serious skin condition, you should see a doctor).  It has been clinically shown to provide benefits.  Here are some of the benefits of Shea Butter for the skin:

Daily skin moisturizer (face and body) Dry skin relief Dry scalp Skin rash- including diaper rash Skin peeling, after tanning Blemishes and wrinkles Itching skin due to dryness Sunburn Shaving cream to reduce razor irritation Small skin wounds Skin cracks Soften tough skin on feet (especially heels) Stretch mark prevention during pregnancy Minor burns Eczema Sun and wind protection Even skin tone Reduce blemishes and scarring Eliminating scalp irritation from dryness or chemical processing Preventing bumps after shaving Reducing acne (especially in combination with African Black Soap) Absorbs quickly without leaving a greasy residue Helps restore elasticity to skin Restores luster to hair

Have fun making this and let me know how you smell from this wonderful body lotion.