Aromatic and Herbal Sugar Scrub for the Body

by Jade Shutes

Goal: to create an aromatic sugar scrub for the body using both plant material and essential oils in the sugar. First, I set about to clean all the dishes, silver ware, jars, bottles, and measuring cups so I began the process with clean (sterilized in hot water) supplies. A very important part of the process.

Then gathered together (all organic):

  • 1 cup Rose petals
  • 1/8 – 1/2 ounce Dried orange peel (ate the orange, saved the peel and dried on screen)  NOTE: From the ground petals and peel, you will need 1-2 tbsps.  I will be using the remainder to make a oat/blue corn meal facial scrub.
  • 1-2 tbsps Honey
  • 1/2 cup Calendula oil
  • 1/2 cup Jojoba oil

Step One: Measure and weigh rose petals and dried orange peel

Rose-petals-and-orange-peels-in-bowl

1 cup rose petals and 1/2 ounce of dried orange peel

Step Two: Grind petals and orange peel with Vita-mix or coffee grounder.  If using a coffee grinder be sure to break down the orange peel into small pieces so they don’t get stuck in the grinder. Also, pulsing in the beginning and then once orange peels are mostly ground then on continuous until a fine powder forms.

Powdered-Rose-and-Orange

Powdered Rose and Orange

Step Three: Measure 1 cup sugar and 1 tbsp. (can add more if desired) petal/orange powder.

Measuring-sugar-and-ground-rosesorg

Measuring sugar and ground petals/orange peel

Step Four: Combine sugar, powder with 1/2 cup Calendula infused olive oil,  1/2 cup Jojoba oil and 1-2 tbsps. honey.

Oil-in-sugar

Adding calendula oil to sugar/powder mixture

Adding-honey-to-sugar

Adding honey (this honey was given to me by a friend who’s father is a beekeeper in the Mtns of Asheville NC)

finished-stirring-scrub

The final scrub before adding essential oils.

Step Five: Add in essential oils.

For this scrub I wanted to complement the subtle aromas of the rose petals and orange peel in the sugar.  My intention was to create a scrub that assists with ‘digesting’ the changes occurring as the spring matures. To cool the emotions yet gently enkindle/strengthen the digestive fire ‘agni’: acceptance, balance. The inclusion of mandarin was to comfort, lighten and inspire. And lavendin, to support coriander and to soothe the skin and mind.

I added the following into the sugar scrub and stirred together:

  • 8 drops Coriander essential oil (Coriandrum sativum)
  • 7 drops Lavendin essential oil (Lavandula x intermedia)
  • 13 drops  Mandarin essential oil (Citrus reticulata)

Step Six: Bottle scrub in jar. I recommend leaving some space on top of the jar so you can stir before using. Some oil will leave the scrub and sit on the surface.

finished-scrub1

Jar of this beautiful scrub

Step Seven:  Try it out. Smell, taste, use on your hands, feet, and body.