A Christmas Gift for Very Best Friends: Self Made Lip Balm

My friend Dr Gisela Heldt, holistic doctor in Berlin and in Hamburg and author of many articles on my blog sent some weeks ago an interesting mail and the recipe of a lip balm: “The other day I was working with participants of an arthrosis group. I had taken everything with me to show them how to make organic lip balm. It is enormously important that people who are suffering from arthrosis use natural and organic skin care …” When I read the recipe I was very enthusiastic and answered: “This will make a very good post before Christmas!” I am quite sure you will love it. It easy to make and a very nice and original small present. Prepare one pot more and keep it yourself!

You will get the ingredients in health food shops, the small glass pots maybe at the next pharmacy or on Internet as well as the lipstick tubes. I was happy enough to find everything in shops nearby, but I have to confess it was a three days action and you have to prepare it: the Internet research takes some time as well as the calls to be certain if everything is available, and you need a map (Google Maps may help too) to find the shops. Everything at home, and it is a work of some minutes, excluded the time to let the balm cool down (in the fridge).

Another tip: try it once, let it cool down and proof the quality. If it is to liquid, melt it again and add more cocoa butter. If it is to stiff, melt it again and add some oil.

• Ingredients (about 4 – 6 lipstick tubes) must be organic!

• 1 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1 Tbsp jojoba oil
• 3 Tbsp cocoa butter
• 10 drops essential oils (Dr Heldt took cinnamon oil, I took orange and lemon oil)

Melt the first three ingredients in a small pan or pot at a very low temperature!!! Set aside, add the essential oil and stir.

Pour the liquid into pots and/or tubes and let it cool (in the fridge or in a cold room without heating). Cover.

Parcel or wrap it (it looks nice in cellophane paper or bags) and decorate with a bow, pearls and fir tree twigs … or add your personal Christmas touch.