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I've included written project instructions below for your convenience.

Susan Ilka

Password: greenwitchmagick

I. Lavender and Lemon Balm Sleep Balm

(yields about 8, 1 oz or 4, 2 oz salves)

What you Need

cold-pressed safflower oil (You can also use olive oil, a favorite of mine, as it’s highly stable.)

a blend of dried lavender and lemon balm (enough to fill a pint-sized mason jar halfway)

beeswax pastilles or shavings from a block

2 pint-sized mason jars

mortar and pestle

slow cooker

coffee filter and rubber band

fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth

double boiler (I create my own double boiler by filling a small saucepan with 2 to 3 inches of water and using a small glass Pyrex measuring cup to hold the preparation. A clean tin can can also be used to hold the preparation.)

metal chopstick or similar utensil for stirring

salve tins

How to Make the Infused Oil

Grind your fully dried herbs using a mortar and pestle.
Fill a clean and dry mason jar halfway with your herbs. I used a pint-sized jar for this project. Tip: Wide-mouth jars are easier to fill with plant matter.
Pour your oil over the herbs all the way to the top. Stir and press out air bubbles with a clean butter knife. Add more oil after the air bubbles release, filling to the top line.
Fill your slow cooker with 2 to 3 inches of water, and place your jar of herbs and oil in the water for 8+ hours. Replenish the water as necessary, as it will evaporate. The temperature should not exceed 140°F (60°C), and the closer to 100°F (38°C) you can get, the better. Ideally, repeat this process daily, for a few days. Tip: For this procedure, instead of covering my jars with lids, I cover them with coffee filters secured by rubber bands. You may need to trim the edges of the filters if they hang down too low near the water line.
Strain out plant matter through a fine mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth into a new clean and dry mason jar. You will only need one cup of the oil for this salve recipe, so you can either double this recipe or save the rest for later, storing it in a cool and dry place where it should last for up to one year.

How to Make the Salve :: A Double Boiler Method

Prepare a double boiler. I create my own double boiler by filling a small saucepan with 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.5 cm) of water. I use a cleaned, recycled soup can or a small glass Pyrex measuring cup to hold the preparation (I used a Pyrex cup for this project).
Combine your oil and beeswax. Put your oils and beeswax in your Pyrex cup and place it in the water bath. Be very careful not to allow any water to get into the oil. If this happens by accident, you must discard the preparation and start again.
Warm the preparation. Heat the saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the beeswax has melted into the oil. I use a clean metal chopstick for stirring.
Test the consistency. Once the beeswax has fully melted into the oil, dip a clean spoon into the liquid and place it in the freezer for about 1 minute. If you like its consistency, remove the container from your water bath and pour the hot mixture into your salve tins. If it feels too soft, melt a little more wax into the warm salve, and if it feels too hard, add a little bit more of your infused oil.
Dry your container. When you remove the tin can/Pyrex cup from the water bath, you must dry its base thoroughly before pouring it into your salve containers. Remember that you do not want to introduce water into the salve. I do not use essential oils in this formulation, but if you wish to, this is the time to add them.
Cool your salve. Carefully pour the hot blend into tins and allow the salve to cool at room temperature. Be careful when pouring, as it’s very hot.
Label and store. Once fully cool, secure the lids on your tins and label them. You can store your salve in a cool dark place for up to 1 year (I’ve actually had my olive oil salves last longer).

II. Herb-Infused Moon Milk

(yields 1 serving)

What You Need

1 1/2 cups milk

1 heaping tsp of dried herbs (lavender, mint, and rose)

1 tsp of spices (a blend of ground cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger)

1 tsp adaptogen powder of choice (like ashwagandha root, astragalus root, chaga mushroom, or reishi mushroom which I used in this recipe) Caution: Do not exceed the given recommended daily dose on the product label.

1 teaspoon of healthy fat (like coconut oil, ghee, or raw cocoa butter shavings as I did in this recipe, which gives it a chocolaty flavor)

1 tsp of sweetener (raw honey and maple syrup are my favorite choices)

small saucepan

fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth

mug

glass Pyrex measuring cup (optional)

milk frother (optional)

How to Make

In a small saucepan, bring milk to a boil, whisking to ensure that the milk does not stick to the pan.
Add dried herbs to the boiling milk and simmer on low for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat and add spices, adaptogen powder, and raw cocoa butter shavings. Blend thoroughly.
Strain the preparation through a cheesecloth-lined fine mesh strainer into your favorite mug. For easy pouring, you may first wish to put the milk in a glass pyrex measuring cup or similar container, then pour it through the strainer into your mug.
Stir in 1 tsp of sweetener (I used raw honey).
For a nice frothy finish, you can whisk the milk or use a frother. I bought an inexpensive handheld milk frother for $12.

How to Use This Drink in Spellwork

Just prior to sipping your herbal moon milk, stir it clockwise to bring the magickal properties of this potion to you (We discuss their properties in the video). As you stir this libation and as you enjoy sipping it, focus on the energies you are inviting into your sacred body and into your life.

Safety Note: It is important to consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal product, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, have any medical conditions, are taking any medications (prescription or over-the-counter), or if you have food or plant allergies.