[GaryH]

Can anyone help...

Someone told me that you can make nice hand cream with Marigold heads in hot oil, then mix with bees wax, strain, then you have it.

Does anyone know about this as I would'nt mind giving it a go.

Thanks

[Trillium]

I used to have a link to the BBC page where Sarah Raven made Calendula hand cream, but its no  longer there. Perhaps an inquiry to BBC GW would bring it back.

[amberleaf]

This could be the article

I have a hand cream which I make and use on my face and hands in really nasty weather.  I have very dry skin, and it cracks and dries out at the least excuse.

Take a lump of pure beeswax, weigh it, and weigh out about 3 times as much weight of olive oil (doesn't have to be extra virgin, ordinary will do, but check the smell as the cheaper can sometimes be a bit harsh).

Place both wax and oil in a double boiler or a glass bowl over a pan of SIMMERING water - you just want to gently melt them together.  When melted, whisk gently and add additive of your choice.

I have made this by infusing dried marigold petals when melted, gently warming for 30 mins or so, then straining - calendula is very good for healing damaged skin.  Or I have added a few drops of lavender or geranium essential oil - again, both good for skin.

Of course, you don't have to add anything.

Now let it cool, slowly, and as it solidifies whisk it a bit so as to keep it soft.  If you pour it into a pot when it's liquid it will set solid - still usable, but not as nice.  Whisk it when it hardening (think ice-cream making) then dollop it into its pot.

Hope this helps some of you with sore chapped fingers - it's good for lips too.

freyalyn@ivillage.com

[iwantanallotment]

Mmmmmm, lavender scented handcream.
That sounds great amberleaf, thank you. Where can beeswax be bought?

[amberleaf]

Does no one know how to google?

Try this link also e-bay (where else)

http://www.honeyshop.co.uk/honeyshop.html

[Trillium]

Found the Calendula recipe:

100 grams calendula flowers, chopped coarsely
150 grams emollient cream (from chemist)
70 ml glycerine (from chemist)
80 ml water
Cook all the above together gently in a bain marie (a pot sitting in another larger pot of water) for 2-3 hours. Let cool.
Once cool, add several drops of lavender oil, or your choice, and stir in.
Filter the mix through cheesecloth into 2 jars with lids (handcream type jars). Tighten lids.

[GaryH]

Once again thanks to everyone.

Love this sight, so much information can be gathered.

Once its all melted etc etc, does it not go hard or does it stay soft...

How would you keep it soft, by whisking it as it settles, does that keep it soft.

Thanks