the sacred art of body oiling

awe to preserve the sweetness of the plants, so we can apply it to ourselves over and over again.  to be wrapped in the blanket of plant magic. body oiling is an effective way to connect with ourselves and the plants.  this practice has been around forever, with roots in many cultures.  there is a huge connection to  ayurveda, an ancient healing system from india which dates back 3000 years.  whatever heritage you may be, i'm sure somewhere along the line, plants and oil played a part.  i want to be very clear, these are not essential oils.  essential oils are something completely different. nothing about this post has to do with essential oils, and i don't recommend them. i am basically going to share how to make an herbal body oil, and how i use them.

i use fresh plant material, always.  homegrown or wildcrafted plant material.  the list of plants really is endless.  flowers i like to infuse are rose, rosehip, violet, lilac, dandelion, st johns wort, yarrow (not the colored), and arnica.  i also love the infused oils of comfrey leaf, chickweed, cottonwood bud, lavender, and all the conifer needles.  this spring i plan on experimenting with several blossoms, cherry, apple, and possibly hawthorn.  feel free to try whatever intrigues you, there is a ton of information available, on plants and their benefits. 

again there really isnt a right or wrong way to do this.  its all about experimenting, and finding what is right for you.  make sure to gather your plants on a warm sunny day, in the early afternoon if possible to avoid moisture from dew. and obviously don't harvest on a rainy day. the basic fresh plant material oil infusion goes as follows.  fill a jar about 3/4 full with plant material.  you can use just petals, or the whole flower head.  you can chop the plant material, or not.  the important things to remember when infusing oil is that the jar is clean and super dry.  dont ever wash the plant material.  it came from nature, and nothing in nature is "dirty" i will let the plant material sit on the counter for an hour or so, and let the bugs vacate, picking through the plants, and discarding dead leaves, ect.  if it happens to be dusty i brush the plants off outside, before infusing.  if you wash your plants you will have a big ol mess in your jar. after the plant material is in the jar, i cover it with oil.  i leave a little space, because the plant material can and will expand.  especially the cottonwood buds.  i then cut a piece of fabric to cover the top, and rubberband it.  always always always label with the date and what it is.  you will need to stir your oil daily, for about a week.  after that the plant material settles to the bottom.  you don't need to keep stirring after that.  i then let these plants sit, cloth covered for months.  out of direct sunlight.  heat can damage the oils.  4-6 weeks is a good time frame.  however i have infused oils up to a year. 

lets talk about types of oil.  i like avocado oil best for infusing the body oil.  i also infuse a lot of olive oil for salvemaking and soapmaking. jojoba is fabulous but a bit on the expensive side. again experiment, and find what works best for your skin. 

after your desired time of infusing, strain through cheesecloth, and bottle.  this is a folk method of infusing oil, i like it best. 

the human body, really is amazing isnt it? body oiling is a wonderful addition to your self care routine.  or a good place to start if you dont have one. it brings nourishment to the skin and relaxation to the nervous system. its so important in our modern busy lives, to pause for a moment and connect with ourselves. i call it a daily check in. 

body oiling can aid in dropping down into our parasympathetic nervous system, or the "rest + digest" where real healing can occur.  all the while creating a protective layer upon your skin. i generally apply the oil when i get out of the shower or bath.  after towel drying i massage the oil into my skin.  starting with my face and moving down to my feet.  spending extra time on the lymphatic system areas, which aids in immune function. key lymphatic drainage points of the body are + neck/throat + breast/armpit + groin/ inner thigh/lower belly.  especially for women consistent breast/under arm massage keeps things healthy and flowing.  there is a lot of information on our lymphatic anatomy, i suggest a little research if you feel inclined.  you can oil as often as you like, personally i body oil about five days a week. 

body oiling is for everyone.  children can benefit from it too.  taking a little time to rub oil into your childs back or feet, is a great way to connect and talk about your day.  these oils are wonderful for massage, and can also be added to your bath.  body oiling with a lover can also be quite the memorable experience.  creating a deep bond at the end of a busy hectic day or week. to avoid a messy situation i oil on a towel, and wait a few moments before getting dressed or hopping into bed.  oil does and will stain clothing, sheets, and towels. 

we cannot fully give to those we love, unless we are full.  its completely up to us. self care is the greatest gift we can give ourselves + those we love.  thanks for stopping by, if you want to stay connected you can follow me on instagram or facebook.  i also have a website, where these oils and other loveliness is available for purchase simplyjosephine.com have a beautiful day, and go make some herbal body oil.