DIY Rose Hip Salve

— DIY Gift Idea —

Last year, just around this same time of year, the rose hips were nice and plump popping out all over the place in the garden. Right into oil they went along with DIY tea blendss. This time, inspired by the same source that brought these bath elixirs once (and maybe still) used by princesses and noted beauty's ages ago, comes this easy to make gift idea of a healing salve. Stored in little tins and, in this case, tinted slightly for the lips this salve has been so helpful in combating my chapped, dry skin. Chances are rose hips are plentiful for you too right now and if they are, here's how to create the rose hip salve above:

The How-To:

What You Will Need:
- 2 Tab. coconut oil
- 2 Tab. pure extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 heaping teaspoon pure beeswax
- 2 Tab. rose hips (organic)
- 1/4 teaspoon benzoin gum or 1 drop of essential benzoin (optional)
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 4 drops of rose essential oil (optional)
- A double boiler or small pot with a shallow amount of water in it
- A non-metallic spoon or swizzle stick

How To Do It:

1) Combine the oils together and add slightly crushed rose hips, placing them in a small bowl or ramekin. Place this small bowl or ramekin into a pot of water making sure the water only comes up half way to the side. Bring this to a gentile simmer. Simmer until the oil has taken on a slight tinge from the rose hips. For more on making a rose hip infused oil see here .

2)  Remove the pot of water (double boiler) from the heat and allow to fully cool. Taking the small bowl of oil, strain off the rose hips. Add in the rest of the ingredients, with the exception of the bees wax and stir well.

3) To add the bees wax, use the same double boiler or pot of water method to melt the wax and pour it into the oil blend. Alternately some like to use a spoon with the beeswax, holding it over an open flame to liquify the wax.

4) Place in the freezer to help the salve set up faster and keep refrigerated to extend its freshness although this has a better consistency when at moderate room temperature. If the salve is too soft or too hard, melt it down again as above and add a little more olive oil (if it is too hard) or the tiniest bit more bees wax if too soft.

Image: mam for Gave That