Applications

Fat Macerations can be used in place of essentials or used as carriers for essential oils. If used in place of essential oils, more will need to be used. If you were using two drops of essential oil, you will need to use at least four drops or more to get the desired results. Fat macerations can also be used like a carrier and essential oils are added to the maceration. This makes a more powerful or broader spectrum product. Macerations can be used more often as they are not as caustic to the body and so there is usually not a need to dilute them. Cayenne maceration would be a noted exception

They can be used like massage oil. For massage therapists who wish to give their clients a little more, the macerations are great. The therapist can add the maceration to their normal massage oil in drops like an essential oil or in ounces like a fixed oil. You can also add essential oils to the maceration and use the maceration like a massage oil. Another way is to add drops of essential oil to a maceration combined with other fixed oils. There are many ways to work macerations into your massage protocol.

The macerations can be created into ointments, balms, lotions, creams, salt scrubs, bath salts, bath oils, scalp conditioners, dry hair conditioner, suppositories, and lip moisturizers. Recipes can be found in many aromatherapy and herbal books. Try a few and see what works best for you.

Ointments and balms are easier to make than lotions and creams. Here is an ointment recipe.

4 oz Ointment
Create your maceration or purchase

2oz Shea Butter
1 Tablespoon beeswax
2oz Maceration
Heat the Shea Butter and beeswax until it melts. Cool to room temperature. Pour in the maceration and any essential oils or dry herbals that you want to add to your ointment. Pour into clean 1oz jars. Cap. Put into freezer for 30 minutes. Check to see that it has set. Allow to come to room temperature. Wipe the jar for moisture and label.

Making Macerations

There are several ways to make macerations. Recipes will differ on the amount of plant material, whether the plant material is dried or fresh, processing the maceration in the light or the dark, the amount of fatty oil used, and the kinds of fatty oils used. This recipe is as simple as it gets and you are free to change it as you see fit.

Cut the herb or flower and add it to a jar or hang it to dry. The leaves may need to be chopped or pressed before adding to the jar. Flowers should not be pressed until they are ready to be discarded. When the herb is in the jar, cover it with a fixed oil. We prefer fractionated coconut oil as it is sterile and will not go rancid for a long period of time. Jojoba is also another good choice as is olive oil. Your maceration is only as good as the oil you use to capture the herbal properties. Sweet Almond is to be avoided as is Borage and Evening Primrose as they go rancid very rapidly. Other fatty oils can be used like avocado and pecan depending on how fast you will use the maceration. Set the clear jar of herb and oil in the window and let the sun heat the oil. If the oil goes cloudy, there is water present. Add salt and it will absorb the water. After days or weeks, strain the plant material and salt off. Press all the oil out of the plant material before discarding. You can add more plant material and repeat the process or put the jar on the shelf and let it sit for several weeks. Incorporating Macerations into Aromatherapy You can use macerations the same way you use carriers. You can grow your favorite herbs and plants and make your own macerations. It can take up to a year or longer to get a good maceration, although some practitioners use them after two weeks. I have found that if aged properly they have a better scent and they are stronger so you do not need to use as much.

This is a new field or a newly rediscovered field. The study of macerations can easily be shared with other aromatherapists in the form of seminars and lectures. Lastly you can create some new products with your macerations. This allows you to totally personalize your personal line by the plants that you can grow in your garden or plant containers. This is a new area of study so it is wide open as to its applications. It is great fun making the macerations and with time much valuable information will come forth. Aromatherapy is a very exciting discipline. So much is yet to be discovered and learned. You may be part of this great adventure. I look forward to hearing from you.

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