Winter Hands Balm (aka Grass Mountain Balm)
Do your hands get extra dry when the weather gets colder? Sometimes I need something stronger than hand lotion. I need a healing balm! I wanted this balm to be special, so I climbed to the top of Grass Mountain and picked a small bag full of Douglas fir needles. This tree spoke to me because it was different than all the rest and a recent windstorm had sent many branches onto the trail, beckoning me to come pick more. I scrambled over to the giant tree and gently pulled a few small branches from the stately tree. I tucked them into a bag and zipped them into my pack.
Now, before I proceed, let me tell you the backstory….
The iconic Grass Mountain
On January 1st 2020, we climbed to the top of Grass Mountain, as is our tradition. It’s a beautiful way to start the New Year and we often run into friends doing the same thing. This year I came up with the hare- brained idea of making this my birthday challenge. Why NOT climb Grass Mountain 50 times in a year for turning 50, right? I figured out that I would have to do this about once a week throughout the year. When I told my trail running and hiking friends, they were also excited about the idea. They would join me for some of the fun.
As is the theme of 2020, many things tried to derail me. Trail closures, hunting season, rain and extreme heat, did I mention trail closures? Just to name a few. With the help of my dear friends and family, I officially conquered the mountain 50 freakin’ times in early December, with weeks to spare.
The infused Olive and Coconut Oil ready to warm up and strain
I wanted to make something special to give to those who supported my Birthday Challenge. I took that small bag of conifer needles and pushed them to the bottom of a jar and poured over them a local olive oil and some organic coconut oil. I added a whole cinnamon stick and infused it all for 6 weeks.
When I pulled the jar out of the pantry, the coconut oil had solidified. I gently heated the jar in a pan of water until it was all melted, then strained out the needles and cinnamon. I have a little pot with a pour spout that I like to make my salves and balms in and I put this in a pan with water to make a double boiler of sorts. It works well for me, but an actual double boiler will work, too.
I added a 1/2 ounce of beeswax and watched it melt, then added an ounce of shea butter. When everything was melted I removed it from the heat and added my essential oils. I used 15 drops of Black Spruce, 10 drops of Lavender and 5 drops of Cinnamon Bark. I wanted some cinnamon smell but did not want it to be overwhelming, as it can be. I had my tins all lines up and ready so I poured the green tinted liquid into the containers. It smelled delicious. Once they set, I popped on the lids and labeled them Grass Mountain Balm. Yep, this would do.
tins filled and setting
This idea happened pretty organically and it feels like a fitting gift for the winter. The Doug Fir needles and cinnamon are good for circulation and pain, as well as quite warming. The Black Spruce and Lavender essential oils are highly anti-inflammatory and the Cinnamon Bark is great for relieving sore muscles. And best of all, they smell heavenly together.
If you’ve curious about making a balm, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy it really is! It’s like magic and it will really impress your friends, mostly because you took the time to make them something they may actually use. Thanks for being on my blog, you are a magical and creative being. Go make something!