My biggest issue during winter, besides trying not to get sick, is dry lips. I’ve tried every lip balm and lip gloss out there, and they all seem to eventually dry my lips out even more. After much trial and error, I’ve decided that this recipe is one of my favorites. And because variations of this recipe has been around for a long time, Sarah Munro added it to her collection of herbal remedies. (Sarah, a PhD historian, is the heroine in book 2 of the Deadly Force series, ONE DARK WISH.)
This lip balm is all natural so once you start using it, you have to use it within the month. Still, it’s a nice lip balm that’s both easy to make and tastes great alone or with another flavoring. This time of year, I prefer a very light peppermint flavor because it blends well with the grapefruit. I use a drop of the same peppermint flavoring that I buy for cookies and frostings. I also like to add a bit of beet root powder to tint the balm a light pink. All of the ingredients, including containers, are available online or in natural food stores. If you buy the ingredients in bulk, they are cheaper. Luckily, all the ingredients last a long time in their original forms. I hope your lips stay plump and hydrated this winter!
Sarah Munro’s Grapefruit Lip Balm
Ingredients:
Directions:
Sterilize your containers and let them dry completely.
In a double boiler over medium-low heat, melt the beeswax. Once it’s almost all melted, stir in the shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil. Stir constantly until all the ingredients are melted and well blended.
Remove the top pan from the heat and place on a cutting board or a towel on the counter. Quickly mix in the grapefruit essential oil, peppermint flavoring (optional), and beet root powder (optional for coloring tint). Add in the coloring until you reach the desired tint. Before the wax hardens, pour the lip balm into the completely dry containers. (this is really important). Once the balm is dried, cover tightly. The lip balm will keep, unopened, for up to four months. Once open, use within one month.
Important Disclaimer: Herbal Remedies, Wild Plants, and Foraging
The information shared in my Romance Herbalist posts is intended for educational, historical, and entertainment purposes only. I am not a physician, licensed herbalist, or other medical professional. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice or a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare provider.
Herbs, flowers, spices, and other plants have been used for centuries in cooking, traditional remedies, and folk medicine. However, natural does not always mean safe. Some plants can be toxic, cause allergic reactions, interact with medications, or be unsuitable for certain medical conditions.
Before preparing, consuming, or using any herbal product, please keep the following precautions in mind:
- Medications and medical conditions: Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs medicinally, particularly if you take prescription or over-the-counter medications, have an existing medical condition, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are preparing something for children.
- Allergies: Research potential allergic reactions and cross-reactivity, especially if you have known allergies to plants, herbs, or spices.
- Plant identification: Never harvest or consume a wild plant unless you can positively identify it and confirm that it is safe for its intended use. Some poisonous plants closely resemble edible or medicinal varieties.
- Harvesting and foraging: Avoid collecting plants from roadsides, chemically treated areas, contaminated soil, or locations where pesticides, herbicides, or other pollutants may be present. Always follow local foraging laws and respect private property.
- Preparation and consumption: Research appropriate preparation methods, potential side effects, and safe quantities before using any plant. Certain plants may be safe in food but dangerous when concentrated or prepared incorrectly.
- Food safety: Use clean equipment, properly stored ingredients, and appropriate food-handling practices when preparing herbal teas, infusions, syrups, or other homemade products.
A note about traditional remedies: References to historical or folkloric uses of plants do not establish that those uses are medically effective or safe. Any discussion of potential health benefits is provided for general information and should not be interpreted as a recommendation to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
By choosing to forage, prepare, or consume any plant or herbal product discussed on this website, you accept responsibility for your own research, decisions, and safety. The author makes no guarantees regarding the safety, effectiveness, or suitability of any plant, recipe, or preparation described.
When in doubt, consult a qualified professional before using any herb or wild plant.
