Since the dawn of mankind, the humans have been using healing properties of plants.

When people became aware of the benefits of plants, they tried to soak plants in water, fats or alcohol.

They did that in order to create extracts of healing plants for use throughout the year.

That is how first macerations were created.

What is a maceration?

Maceration is a product made by soaking healing plants in oil.

After some time, the oil extracts the healing properties of the plant and the plant itself is removed from the oil.

The oil is then strained and stored in a cool place where it can be kept for several months.

The most prevalent macerations are done with oil and you can make them yourself.

Choosing maceration ingredients

In most cases the maceration process requires light and heat, which is why you need to use stable cold pressed oils.

Good oils for maceration are cold pressed olive, almond, sesame or coconut oils.

Those oils are stable enough and do not go bad easily.

Refined oils are more stable than homemade oils and will not go bad, but such oils have no healing properties.

In industrial manufacturing mineral oils, such as vaseline and paraffin, are often used. 

Their application is frequent since they do not go bad, but their effect on human organism is questionable.

Many blame them for allergies, irritations and even skin cancer.

You can also use butter (cocoa, macadamia, jojoba, coconut or shea butter) for maceration.

How to prepare a maceration

You can use flower, leaf or the root for maceration.

Plants have to be ecologically cultivated or home grown, picked far from all pollution sources. 

Water is the enemy of a good maceration since it can cause it to go bad – make sure that the plants are dry.

Let St. John's wort dry for one day and marigold petals for 5 to 7 days. Green walnuts should not be dried, but placed into the oil fresh.

The ideal container for maceration is made of glass since glass does not react in contact with plant substances as other materials do

Wash the container thoroughly. Rinse it with hot water and dry them using cloth in order to remove microorganisms that can cause reactions. Place the plants into the container.

If you are using larger fruits or roots, cut them into pieces or grind them.

If the flowers or leaves are large, mince them.

Cover the plants with oil. If some pieces stick out of the oil, push them beneath the surface and add more oil. All parts of the plants need to be covered with oil.

Maceration process

Close the container and place it in the sun.

By exposing the mixture to the sun you will accelerate the maceration process and will also enrich the maceration with solar energy.

You can leave all macerations in the sun except St. John’s wort maceration, which must be macerated in the shade.

Shake the container or stir the content several times a day. It is best to stir the maceration. In order to do it, open the container.

When you open it, you will release the moisture secreted by the plants (moisture causes macerations to go bad).

The maceration process in the sun takes between 3 and 5 weeks.

During that period macerations change color and scent.

Do not be alarmed if your maceration develops unpleasant scent within the first week. That will change once the maceration is finished.

When the time needed for maceration has passed, strain the mixture through a cloth and pour the maceration into a glass container. Let it sit for another 24 hours.

Then carefully remove the clear part of the maceration and remove the sediment. Pour the maceration into a darker glass container and store it in a cold place.

Application

Macerations have a broad spectrum of application.

You can use them for self-tanning, preventing wrinkles, faster wound healing, problem skin treatment etc.

Certain types of macerations heal stretch marks, while others help against rheumatism, sciatica and injuries.

You can also use macerations for making your own crèmes. 

Walnut and carrot maceration

Grate 2 or 3 carrots and dry them.

Slice five green walnuts into quarters and briefly place them on a napkin that will soak the juice that comes out.

Fill half the container with walnuts and cover them with carrot. Pour oil over them and keep in the sun for 45 days.

This maceration is a great sunbathing product.

Carrots prevent UV damages to the skin while walnuts act as a natural self-tanning substance.

By using this maceration on a daily basis you will develop a beautiful tan.

Due to the beneficial effects of walnuts, carrots and oil your skin will remain soft for a long time.

Rosemary maceration

The best maceration is made of acicular rosemary leaves.

Wash rosemary branches with water and dry them in a shaded place for 4 days.

Use only acicular leaves and remove the woody parts.

Soak the acicular parts in the oil and keep them in the sun for 45 days.

This is a maceration with strong antioxidative properties. 

It is great for massage since it alleviates muscle and joint pain. It is also used against rheumatism and arthritis. 

Marigold, rose and daisy maceration 

Marigold maceration is made of petals which need to be dried for approximately 5 days.

After 5 days place them in a glass jar and pour oil over them. Set the oil level 2-3 fingers above the petals.

The petals are light and will continue to rise to the top in the first few days. Push them back into the oil every day.

Keep the mixture in the sun for 30 days.

Marigold maceration is one of the best and most useful macerations.

It is used in the case of skin damage, eczema, urticaria, cists, warts, boils and acnes.

It regulates oily skin and promotes faster wound healing and helps in the case of hemorrhoids.

Daisy is a frequent component of cosmetic products due to its large number of active ingredients with beneficial effect on pigmentation disorders.

Daisy maceration renews skin cell and makes your skin lighter. It removes dark spots and freckles. Use daisy flowers to make the maceration.

Rose petal maceration is one of the finest macerations with a positive effect on skin regeneration. 

As a protector of feminine beauty and young skin, rose is a frequent substance in anti-age cosmetics.

Rose maceration is great for treating wrinkles and stretch marks. Apply it on the skin around the eyes every night.

These macerations are made in the same way as marigold maceration – by soaking the plants into the oil and keeping them in the sun for 30 days.

 

Remember – everything you apply to your skin will eventually enter your bloodstream. That is why it is good to make your own natural skin care remedy – just like these macerations.

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