How to Make Natural DIY Goldenrod Whipped Body Butter
Goldenrod, with its yellow bunches of flowers on long stalks, gets blamed for allergies and allergic reactions. In reality, it’s ragweed that is to blame, and Goldenrod is one of the best plant allies for immune support and calming itchy skin. Often used to ease eczema and other skin conditions due to seasonal shifts, Goldenrod is a powerful ingredient to include in a DIY whipped body butter recipe.
What Does the Plant Goldenrod Look Like?
Goldenrod is one of the last flowering plants of summer, and its striking yellow flowers that cluster toward the top of the plant make it stand out among the drying grasses and leaves of the late summer season.
Goldenrod is a perennial plant with long, woody stalks adorned with pointed, slender leaves that culminate at the top of the plant with a fan cluster of bright yellow flowers. The plant typically grows about 3ft (1 meter) tall. It is produced by bulbs, and its flowers do not contain pollen.
Is Goldenrod Edible?
All aerial parts of Goldenrod are edible from the stems, leaves, and flowers. The leaves can be dried and used to make tea or frozen fresh and used later in soups and stews. The flowers add a zest to salads and a delightful pop of color. The flowers also produce a vibrant yellow dye that has been used to create yellow garments for centuries.
When Does Goldenrod Bloom?
Goldenrod blooms from mid-August through the end of September or to the first frost in some locations. Goldenrod is a wonderful plant to include in the garden because it is late blooming and will add that dash of color during the seasonal shift.
Where to Buy Goldenrod
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Goldenrod grows prolifically in the wild and is a great plant to forage. It’s easy to spot, and although it can be mistaken for ragweed, with a little research, it’s easy to discern. Goldenrod seeds can be purchased online through Amazon or your local garden supply store.
You can also purchase goldenrod as a dried herb. Here are a few of our favorite places to shop:
Goldenrod Tea (used for oil infusion) from Amazon
Dried Goldenrod stems and leaves and flowers from Starwest Botanicals
Bulk Goldenrod in a variety of forms from Mountain Rose Herbs
What are the Benefits of Goldenrod?
Goldenrod has many uses, including medicinal use and therapeutic uses. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient for lotions and ointments for the skin.
It can also be used to relieve sore muscles and soothe bug bites.
When taken as a tea, Goldenrod relieves allergy symptoms and can be used for urinary tract support.
Why Make Whipped Goldenrod Body Butter?
Making whipped body butter is quick and easy.
With just a few simple ingredients, many of which you probably already have, you can create a customized lotion that can help to relieve extra dry skin.
More moisturizing than lotion bars or herbal salves and a great way to incorporate more natural ingredients into your skincare products, whipped goldenrod body butter will quickly become a favorite staple in your self-care regimen.
I first started using Goldenrod as part of my natural skincare when I learned its ability to ease dry, itchy, and blotchy skin due to cold weather temps and eczema flairs. What follows is my favorite whipped body butter recipe incorporated with my favorite DIY goldenrod-infused oil.
How to Make Homemade Whipped Goldenrod Body Butter
Ingredients:
2 oz Goldenrod-infused olive oil
2 teaspoons (or as needed) arrowroot powder
25 grams cup coconut oil
50 grams shea butter
One teaspoon of turmeric powder (for the yellow color)
30 drops of your favorite essential oil or oils
2 grams of vitamin E oil
A Few of my Favorite Autumn Essential Oil Blends
Pumpkin Spice Oil Blend
20 drops of sweet orange essential oil
10 drops nutmeg essential oil
5 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
5 drops of clove essential oil
Autumn Walk Oil Blend
20 drops of frankincense essential oil
15 drops of cedarwood essential oil
10 drops of pine or fir essential oil
Chai Tea Oil Blend
20 drops of cardamom essential oil
10 drops of cassia essential oil
5 drops of clove essential oil
5 drops of ginger essential oil
Tools and Equipment
airtight container (for storing the body butter)
Circular lids from mason jars
Kitchen Scale
How to Make Goldenrod Whipped Body Butter
It’s easy to make whipped body butter, and infused oil elevates the whole experience. We included our Goldenrod-infused olive oil in this recipe.
How to infuse the turmeric into the whipped body butter base
Add turmeric to the coconut oil in a heat-safe glass jar or bowl to give the body butter a yellow hue.
Either heat the coconut oil and the turmeric in the microwave for 30-second increments until the oil has melted and it’s easy to stir in the turmeric powder.
Or, set up a water bath (sometimes called a double boiler) using the sauce pot and the canning lid rings. Place the rings at the bottom of the pot and fill the saucepan halfway with water. Set the jar with the coconut oil and turmeric powder on top of the canning rings. Bring the water to a boil and let the turmeric infuse into the coconut oil. This may take up to 15 minutes.
Once heated, stir to combine the turmeric and the coconut oil. Strain the infused oil to remove any graininess from the oil, and replace the oil in the heat-safe glass jar.
Add the remaining ingredients
Next, add the shea butter and the infused goldenrod olive oil to the heat-safe glass jar and use the jar back into the water bath.
Bring the water to a boil again and heat the ingredients until they completely melt. Stir and scrape along the bottom of the jar to dislodge any remaining unmelted ingredients.
Cool the body butter
Remove the jar from the hot water and set it on an oven mitt or hot pad. Allow the oil to cool for a few minutes until the jar is safe to handle but has not completely reached room temperature.
Pour the melted body butter ingredients into the mixing bowl and place the bowl into the refrigerator. Allowing the oils to cool at room temperature first brings the ingredients to a stable temperature that they will not get shocked when placed in the refrigerator.
Cool the body butter for at least one hour or more.
Whipping the body butter
Once the mixture is cooled and firm, remove it from the refrigerator and mix it with the handheld mixer. After mixing for about 10 minutes, it’s time to add the arrowroot powder.
The arrowroot is a great addition to the body butter to keep it from feeling too greasy. You can follow the amount of arrowroot to add as indicated in this recipe. Many other body care recipes indicate different amounts of arrowroot to add, and it’s best to spot-test the body butter during the mixing process to get it to a consistency you like best.
Continue to whip the ingredients over the course of 10-40 minutes. Whipping in intervals can be a helpful method to avoid melting the ingredients. If you’re making the body butter during the warmer months, replace the bowl with the ingredients back into the refrigerator every ten minutes to keep the mixture firm. The heat from the hand mixer may cause additional melting during the process. The key is to keep the mixture fluffing as more air is added during the whipping process. The colder and more firm the body butter, the easier it is to trap the air bubbles inside; this is the key to achieving the fluffy whipped peaks.
Add the vitamin E oil and essential oil blend.
Whip the mixture again to ensure all of the ingredients are incorporated. Avoid over-mixing at this stage to avoid damaging the chemical structures of the essential oils.
Once fluffy and evenly mixed, transfer the finished product to an airtight container or glass jar with an airtight lid.
Tips for Making & Keeping Homemade Body Butter
- Before using or making the homemade body butter, please spot test for any allergic reaction with any ingredients you may be uncertain about. This also applies to essential oil blends, as sometimes the potency of the essential oils needs to be adjusted.
- Please do not apply the whipped body butter to anyone under 12 unless a medical practitioner has been consulted.
- If you wish to create a basic recipe for the whipped body butter, eliminate the infused goldenrod oil and add more coconut oil.
- Store your body butter in a cool and dry place. The essential oils have a limited shelf life. Please use the body butter within six months.
- If you don’t want turmeric to color the body butter, use yellow clay instead. The clay may make the body butter less greasy. As you add the clay, adjust the amount of arrowroot powder included. This will need to be tested along the way for consistency to match your preferences.
Other Uses of Goldenrod
Make Goldenrod tea from its stems, leaves, and flowers. You can use dried or fresh plant matter.
Use dried goldenrod in a facial steam (check out our spring facial steam for steaming basics)
Use goldenrod in an herbal salve to help alleviate bug bites and soothe itchy dry skin.
Pair Goldenrod Infused Whipped Body Butter With More Natural DIY Bath and Body Products
Make a Turmeric and Ginger Body Scrub
Make a Tulsi and Clay Face Mask
You can use a variety of other infused herbal oils such as lavender or calendula flowers infused oil. You can also include sweet almond oil in place of infused goldenrod oil.
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Goldenrod Whipped Body Butter
Make a hydrating and silky whipped body butter featuring infused goldenrod oil oil. A great DIY bath and body product for dry and itchy skin.
Materials
- 2 oz Goldenrod-infused olive oil
- 2 teaspoons (or as needed) arrowroot powder
- 25 grams cup coconut oil
- 50 grams shea butter
- One teaspoon of turmeric powder (for the yellow color)
- 30 drops of your favorite essential oil or oils
- 2 grams of vitamin E oil
Tools
- Handheld mixer
- Medium sauce pot
- Spoon
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Heat-safe glass jar (16 oz)
- airtight container (for storing the body butter)
- Circular lids from mason jars
- Kitchen Scale
Instructions
1. Add turmeric to the coconut oil in a heat-safe glass jar or bowl to give the body butter a yellow hue.
2. Either heat the coconut oil and the turmeric in the microwave for 30-second increments until the oil has melted and it's easy to stir in the turmeric powder.
3. Or, set up a water bath (sometimes called a double boiler) using the sauce pot and the canning lid rings. Place the rings at the bottom of the pot and fill the saucepan halfway with water. Set the jar with the coconut oil and turmeric powder on top of the canning rings. Bring the water to a boil and let the turmeric infuse into the coconut oil. This may take up to 15 minutes.
4. Once heated, stir to combine the turmeric and the coconut oil. Strain the infused oil to remove any graininess from the oil, and replace the oil in the heat-safe glass jar.
5. Next, add the shea butter and the infused goldenrod olive oil to the heat-safe glass jar and use the jar back into the water bath.
6. Bring the water to a boil again and heat the ingredients until they completely melt. Stir and scrape along the bottom of the jar to dislodge any remaining unmelted ingredients.
7. Remove the jar from the hot water and set it on an oven mitt or hot pad. Allow the oil to cool for a few minutes until the jar is safe to handle but has not completely reached room temperature.
8. Pour the melted body butter ingredients into the mixing bowl and place the bowl into the refrigerator. Allowing the oils to cool at room temperature first brings the ingredients to a stable temperature so they will not get shocked when placed in the refrigerator.
9. Cool the body butter for at least one hour or more.
10. Once the mixture is cooled and firm, remove it from the refrigerator and mix it with the handheld mixer. After mixing for about 10 minutes, it's time to add the arrowroot powder.
11. The arrowroot is a great addition to the body butter to keep it from feeling too greasy. You can follow the amount of arrowroot to add as indicated in this recipe. Many other body care recipes indicate different amounts of arrowroot to add, and it's best to spot-test the body butter during the mixing process to get it to a consistency you like best.
Notes
- Before using or making the homemade body butter, please spot test for any allergic reaction with any ingredients you may be uncertain about. This also applies to essential oil blends, as sometimes the potency of the essential oils needs to be adjusted.
- Please do not apply the whipped body butter to anyone under 12 unless a medical practitioner has been consulted.
- If you wish to create a basic recipe for the whipped body butter, eliminate the infused goldenrod oil and add more coconut oil.
- Store your body butter in a cool and dry place. The essential oils have a limited shelf life. Please use the body butter within six months.
- If you don't want turmeric to color the body butter, use yellow clay instead. The clay may make the body butter less greasy. As you add the clay, adjust the amount of arrowroot powder included. This will need to be tested along the way for consistency to match your preferences.