Using herbs cosmetically

There are loads of herbs that grow wild that are free for the taking and can be used all over the house. I make my own lip balm,lotions,creams.lip balm is easy to start with.I use a pure shea butter,bees wax,honey,mineral oil,olive oil and flavoring. My favorite is mint.I grow my own mint,dry some,freeze some but for my lipbalm I squeeze as many mint leaves in a clean sterilized jar ( I like to use the small canning jars that are used for jellies, with the metal lids) then add olive oil to cover the leaves.I then heat the jar until you can just barely touch it .You then place the cap on tight so that the heat will give it a light seal.I put it on a shelf until I need it. Getting started with your lip balm you will take equal parts of shae butter and bee's wax I usually start with an ounce or two.I also use candle bags for heating in warm just below boiling water.I use a wire coat hanger,bend it to what ever size so it can sit across the pan of water then clothespin the bag to that so it won't dump over into the water. Once your shae and wax are mixed and melted add one half the amount of the two first things .So if you have 1 ounce of shae and wax you will use 1/2 ounce of honey.Stir this in carefully,slowly.I use a long glass tube that I bought at bar and restaurant store a long time ago. You will then add 1/4 of mineral oil and 1/4 strained peppermint olive oil.Mak sure you do not have specks of peppermint .Strain it with double or triple cheesecloth.So if you are using 1 ounce of shae,one ounce of wax,1/2 ounce honey then you would use 1/4 ounce of olive and mineral. All ingredients should be carefully stirred in together until it looks uniform, meaning you do not see oil or wax or butter and so forth.You should see a new mixture. Carefully pour this into small containers.I use small glass containers with screw lids like the ones that you get lip balm in.Let them sit uncovered in a clean area until cool not cold .place lids on them. You can make cute laqbels on your computer with what's in them. I give them along with other homemade goodies in my homemade baskets as gifts.

Check our your nearest supermart. Nowadays, many shampoos, bath foams, etc come with "exotic" ingredients like green tea, lavender, herbs, etc. Give it a go.. I am not sure how much is really added, but for most of the products I tried, at least the smell is right. :P