Hi Castle!

I have two plants, a "Vicks" plant and a menthol, growing like nuts in my house.  Need to cultivate them and make them into something before they take over my kitchen. I've seen different recipes for infused oils and medicinal salves on here, but was wondering if anyone had additional tips on how to make, like, the Vicks rub from the live plant, and what to do with the menthol at all?!

They're very, hmmm, succulent(?) plants, don't seem to dry when I cut them and lay them on a paper bag, etc.  Was wondering if I could even just boil them and let the vapors fill the house?

All input appreciated! Thanks!

Be Well,
Realeyez

Hi Realeyez,

There are a couple of ways you can make a "vicks" rub out of the plants.  Vicks is petroleum based, which you can make though there are many criticisms of it.  Here is the basic way I usually make basic balms:


Medicinal Oils:
Take a clean glass jar that is about consistent with the amount of the product you want.  For the base, what you decide to use will depend on the consistency you desire for the balm.  For more of a massage oil, I recommend organic olive oil or jojoba oil.  Basically, just shove a handful of the leaves in the jar and fill with the oil.  Lightly put on the lid and place the full jar in a slow cooker filled with water to the neck of the jar.  Put the lid on the crockpot and turn it on low for at least 4 hours.  After that time, turn it off and let the oil sit to cool.  Once it has cooled, strain it through a coffee filter into another clean jar and store in a cool, dark place.

Medicinal Balms:
Here is my super easy way to make scented balms.  Take a jar of organic coconut oil and place it in hot water until it is soft and liquified.  Take a larger clean glass jar and stuff it with a hand full of the herb.  Pour the oil over it and repeat the crockpot process in the first recipe.  The one exception is that you need to strain coconut oil before it is fully cooled, as it will resolidify.  I love coconut oil because it is a solid at room temperature, but when it makes contact with your body heat, it liquifies into a lighter oil than most body oils.  It is also antimicrobal, which is great when you are sick.  If yo prefer a more solid balm, just add some beeswax to the mixture while it is heated int the crockpot.

stellar stacy, thank you very much!

so..can i use this slow cooker method for any recipe that calls for a double boiler?

that would break down a major wall for me...

I do use slow cookers in place of a double boiler.  It's a slower process, but you do not have to be as attentive.  You can just put a heat-safe jar in surrounded by water, and go do what you have to do.

The only consideration is if you are working with a material, an oil or herb, in which the chemical composition breaks down or reduces with extended exposure to heat.  So, for example, low heating of olive oil in a slow cooker for 4 hours may damage some of the healing properties of the oil when compared with heating it very slowly on low in a double boiler for a brief amount of time. On the other hand, you can just reduce the amount of time the balm is in the slow cooker to compinsate.

However, the slow cooker method does have the benefit of the material not coming into contact with metal, which I have always viewed as having a negative effect with natural, healing balms.  Really, I would use a stove top double boil method only for the most delicate of mixtures.

Plus, there is always the perspective of the slow cooker as the modern cauldron, which just makes doing magic in it more special for me.  I find this ironic because the double boiler was actually invented for magical purposes by a female alchemist.

So, to answer your question, yes, you can use a slow cooker in most cases in place of a double boiler.

woo-hoo!! seriously, WOO-HOO HOOOO!!!!! (Happyfeet)

You could always turn it to the warm mode to lessen the heat, but lengthen the time.

Cool information Stacey!

where can you buy vicks plants? I wouldlike to have one. I am always sick this time of the year

Great posts everyone!

Plectranthus purpuratus is its scientific name. Common Name: Purple Swedish ivy

I found it here online...

http://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=HP%2DPLC02

and here

http://www.taunton.com/finegardening/plectranthus-purpuratus-purple-swedish-ivy.aspx

You might check with people near you as well...many people gorw this as a houseplant.

Enjoy!

A few more quick tips for magical balms and oils--to make the process even easier, you could blend in essential oils.  If you use coconut oil, you can just wait for the oil to liquifiy, remove from heat, and add some essential oils.

One of my favorite budget magic tricks is to infuse coconut oil with a tea to create a magical balm.  In fact, I just finished up a prosperity balm, in which I heated 3 bags of Stash Chai Green Tea in a jar of coconut oil.  It even turned the balm a light green color.

If you work with coconut oil, I have found some brands odorless and some that have a mild coconut scent.  Spectrum is a good organic coconut oil without scent.  When I want the scent, Earthfare Extra Virgin Coconut oil is good.  Even with the oil that has a scent, it's pleasant--not the overwhelming coco butter smell.  I actually don't even like coconut, but enjoy the scent.

The magical associations with coconut are purification, protection, and chastity; however, I find the oil rather sensual  and decadent, so I use it in love and prosperity balms.  I mean, let's face it, if you infuse it with one of the cinnamon or spice blends of tea below for a love/sex spell, you are in essence making a very yummy smelling and tasting edible body balm.  There is nothing chaste about that.  

You can use any bag tea, but be aware that some teas do have added ingredients to make the color more vibrant.  This may stain clothing.  Otherwise, all you need to do is examine the tea ingredients, figure out the magical properties, and then follow the above process--except you don't have to worry about straining through a coffee filter as long as the tea is in a bag.

To make it even easier for you, here are magical correspondences for Celestial Seasonings Teas:

Bengal Spice: (Celestial Seasonings)
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Carob: protection, health
Vanilla: (fem.) love, lust, prosperity, healing, purification, peace, courage
Dates:
Ginger:(masc.) power, courage, health, love, passion, success, prosperity
Cardamom:(fem) love, romance, intelligence, power
Black Pepper:(masc.) banishing, exorcism, healing, power, love, strength, purification
Cloves:(masc.) love, lust, money, prosperity, protection
Nutmeg:(masc.) love, money, prosperity

Black Cherry Berry(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Hawthorn:(masc.) fertility, chastity, hearth magic, wisdom, love, protection, wishes
Cherry:(fem) love, fertility, honesty
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep

Cinnamon Apple Spice (Celestial Seasonings)
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Carob: protection, health
Apple:(fem)love, friendship, healing, fertility, success

Country Peach:(Celestial Seasonings)
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Peach:(fem) fertility, wisdom, longevity, sex
Passionfruit:

Cranberry Apple Zinger:(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality,
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Cranberry: strength and spirit
Apple:(fem)love, friendship, healing, fertility, success

Honey Vanilla Chamomile:(Celestial Seasonings)
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Honey
Licorice: love, lust, fidelity
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality,
Lemon Grass: power, psychic powers, cleansing

Lemon Zinger (Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Chicory Root:( masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Lemon Grass: power, psychic powers, cleansing
Lemon: love, cleansing, attracting prosperity

Mandarin Orange: (Celestial Seasonings)
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Hawthorn:(masc.) fertility, chastity, hearth magic, wisdom, love, protection, wishes
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Clove:(masc.) love, lust, prosperity, banishing, money, protection
Coriander:(masc.) love, lust, health, protection

Mint Magic: (Celestial Seasonings)
Spearmint:(fem) prosperity, purification, love, sex, protection, money, mental powers
Peppermint:(masc.) cleansing, energy, health, purification, psychic powers, money, protection
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck

Raspberry Zinger: (Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Raspberry:(fem) love, pregnancy, fertility, protection

Red Zinger: (Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Peppermint:(masc.) cleansing, energy, health, purification, psychic powers, money, protection
Lemon Grass: power, psychic powers, cleansing
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Lemon Myrtle:
Licorice: love, lust, fidelity
Cherry:(fem) love, fertility, honesty

Sleepy Time: (Celestial Seasonings)
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Spearmint:(fem) prosperity, purification, love, sex, protection, money, mental powers
Lemon Grass: power, psychic powers, cleansing
Tilia Flowers:
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Hawthorn:(masc.) fertility, chastity, hearth magic, wisdom, love, protection, wishes
Rose: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship

Tangerine Orange Zinger:(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Hawthorn:(masc.) fertility, chastity, hearth magic, wisdom, love, protection, wishes
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Tangerine: (masc.) mental powers, psychic powers

Tension Tamer: (Celestial Seasonings)
Eleuthero Root:
Peppermint:(masc.) cleansing, energy, health, purification, psychic powers, money, protection
Cinnamon: (masculine) prosperity, love, lust, money, energy, success
Ginger:(masc.) power, courage, health, love, passion, success, prosperity
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Lemon Grass: power, psychic powers, cleansing
Licorice: love, lust, fidelity
Catnip: (fem) cat magic, beauty, good spirits, love, luck, happiness, visions
Tilia Flowers:
Lemon: Longevity, Purification, Love, Friendship, Moon magic
Hops:(masc.) dreams, sleep, healing

Tropic of Strawberry :(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Chamomile: (masc.) prosperity, love, lust, money, peace, purification, sleep
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Strawberry:(fem) beauty, love, luck
Pineapple: luck, money chastity
Coconuts:(fem) purification, chastity, protection
Banana: (fem) prosperity, fertility, potency
Lemon Verbena: purification, love, prevent dreaming

True Blueberry:(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Blueberry: protection

Wild Berry Zinger:(Celestial Seasonings)
Hibiscus: (feminine) love, lust, sex, divination
Rosehips: (feminine) love, fertility, attraction, psychic powers, prosperity, friendship
Chicory Root:(masculine) alertness, removing obstacles, frugality, happiness
Orange Peel: (masc.) prosperity, joy, love, money, luck
Blackberry:(fem) healing, protection, prosperity
Raspberry:(fem) love, pregnancy, fertility, protection
Cranberry: strength and spirit
Cherry:(fem) love, fertility, honesty

alright, i'm on hour 4, and the coconut oil has very little scent. i don't know if it will smell more intense after it solidifies, but i'd guess not too much if at all. i started with a handful of fresh vick's plant leaves, and now at hour 4 i've crushed up some fresh leaves and dumped them in too. think i may fill the rest of the jar with leaves and let it go for a couple more hours.

could i add eucalyptus essential oil to this, how much, and would it still be safe to rub on the skin? i also have menthol leaves, so if i can add the eucalyptus oil i may throw in some menthol leaves to make this a bit more smelly.

also, how long can i leave this mixture infuse until i start to break down the coconut oil. it's organic, but not the extra virgin stuff.

i'm working with about 8fl oz of coconut oil.

You can add as much of the herb as you want, and let it sit as long as you want.  If you are worried about about skin being too sensitive, dab a bit of the oil on the underside of your arm as a test.  I've never used a vicks plant, so I have no clue how intense the scent of the plant is.  Remember that the oil you are making is not  an essential oil, it's an infused oil.  Therefore, the scent is not as strong as most cold remedies, plus it's not a synthetic fragrance.  

Coconut oil is used for high heat cooking, so you can let it cook on low overnight if you want. make certain there is enough water in the slow cooker, though.

You can add essential oils as well, though I would do this at the end of the process when you remove the oil from heat.  Rosemary is also a good essential oil to add to this type of infusion. Make certain to thoroughly stir the mixture once you have completed simmering and it has cooled.

Dilution Guide:

   * 1% dilution: 5-6 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil
   * 2% dilution: 7-14 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil
   * 3% dilution: 15-18 drops essential oil per ounce of carrier oil

10 drops 1/10 tsp 1/60 oz. 1/8 dram 1/2 ml
12.5 drops 1/8 tsp 1/48 oz. 1/6 dram 5/8 ml
25 drops 1/4 tsp 1/24 oz. 1/3 dram 1 1/4 ml
50 drops 1/2 tsp 1/12 oz. 2/3 dram 2 1/2 ml
100 drops 1 tsp         1/6 oz. 1 1/3 dram about 5 ml
150 drops 1 1/2 tsp 1/4 oz. 2 drams 13.5 ml
300 drops 3 tsp          1/2 oz. 4 drams about 15 ml
600 drops 6 tsp           1 oz. 8 drams about 30 ml
24 tsp            8 Tbs     4 oz. 1/2 cup 1/4 pint
48 tsp             16 Tbs     8 oz. 1 cup          1/2 pint
96 tsp             32 Tbs     16 oz. 2 cups           1 pint

Eucalyptus Salve / Chest Rub

30 drops Eucalyptus essential oil
40 drops Camphor essential oil
15 drops Wintergreen essential oil
1 ounce Olive Oil
1/2 teaspoon Beeswax

Melt the beeswax in the olive oil. Remove from heat and add the essential oils. Stir, pour into salve container and label.

Eucalyptus salve is used to relieve respiratory congestion.

ah HA! i have grapeseed oil, so maybe i should start off with a 1% dilution of eucalyptus essential oil to enhance the scent if need be.

i may not need it though i crushed up the second batch of leaves i threw in and i can smell it all throughout the house! i think we'll be just fine.

you're an encyclopedia. a hard bound, classy one too. thanks for the tip on coconut oil being high heat oil, i'll check in on it in a couple hours and see where we're at.

if it turns out i'll send you some for your help i've got all these baby food jars just lying around downstairs..knew i could eventually use 'em for sumthin!...hmmm, here's a thought - should i boil the baby food jars to sterilize them before packaging up the balm? think i will, couldn't hurt.

I love it when you speak book metaphors to me  

I'll actually be off the internet for the weekend in about a half an hour, but Lady Elaine has probably been brewing this kind of stuff when I was in diapers, so I'm sure she can field any questions.  

The baby jars are a really good idea for storage.  On a baby side note, I've heard of moms who use plain coconut oil for diaper rash and minor skin irritations on young children.  I've used it on minor cuts, and it seems to work well to protect and help heal.  I imagine it's great for kids who stick their fingers in their mouths--you don't need to worry about them ingesting anything petroleum based.  

While your in the mood for potions and balms, it would be irresponsible for me not to mention that infusing coconut oil with any of the teas I mentioned makes an awesome spread for toast and general cooking.  The apple cinnamon tea infusion is especially good. I use that in place of butter a lot.  When you but the oil, it seems expensive, but when you think of all the things you can use it for, its awesome.