How to Make Natural Shower Gel with Hemlock

Hemlock has a reputation...but it's great to make natural shower gel with!

Would you ever use Hemlock essential oil to make natural shower gel?

Or are you thinking of that old story about Socrates?

There is no need to shy away from Hemlock essential oil!

I want to share some information that I published in my book, The Heart of Aromatherapy.

It's easy to confuse Tsuga canadensis with the poisonous plant that's also commonly called 'Hemlock,' but they belong to entirely different genus and species.

The toxic 'Hemlocks' are herbaceous members of the parsley family, while Tsuga canadensis is a conifer tree with a whole array of health-supporting properties.

What are some of these properties?

Boost immunity
Calm inflammation
Support respiratory health
Reduce infection
Clear congestion
Ease spastic coughs
Relieve pain
Calm cramps
Help you feel vibrant (instead of fatigued)

This Hemlock is definitely not the one our friend Socrates was too well acquainted with.

In The Heart of Aromatherapy, I pretended that if Hemlock were a person, it would like to make natural shower gel with essential oils.

Since it's so good at reducing infections (clearing away germs), helping us breathe deeply, and bringing a bright "happy-to-greet-the-day" feeling . . . Hemlock knows how to make natural shower gel with essential oils!

Hemlock's "Wake Up and Smile" Natural Shower Gel

Use it just like regular shower gel. Get a small amount in your palm or on your sponge, and massage it into your skin in the shower.

Ingredients

1 oz (28 g) Aloe Vera Gel (Aloe barbadensis)
3 drops Hemlock Oil (Tsuga canadensis)
3 drops Spike Lavender Oil (Lavandula latifolia)
3 drops Yuzu Oil (Citrus junos)
2 drops Gingergrass Oil (Cymbopogon martinii var. sofia)
2 ml Solubol (optional)

Equipment

One 2 oz (30 ml) flip-top bottle

Directions

Pour the aloe vera gel into the bottle.
Add the essential oils (and the Solubol, if you're using it).
Cap tightly, then shake gently.

Are you wondering what Solubol is?

Solubol is a natural dispersant that helps essential oils stay distributed through the aloe vera gel.

Even if you do include Solubol, you'll still need to shake this blend each time you use it, but the Solubol will help the essential oils stay dispersed longer.

Since aloe vera gel is a water-based ingredient and this blend contains no preservatives, I suggest making a fresh bottle of your shower gel every few weeks. Making a small 1 oz (30 ml) bottle means you should go through it and want to make more in plenty of time.

Enjoy your new health-supporting friend Hemlock essential oil!