Apricot kernel oil is a beneficial skin oil that is rich in unsaturated fats, oleic acid and linoleic acid. Apricot kernel oil is an excellent base oil to use in ointments of any kind because it rapidly absorbs into the skin and acts as a lubricating property for the ointment. You can purchase apricot kernel oil and ingredients for the ointment through most health food stores or online.
Ingredients
Always use organic oils and base waxes when you are preparing your apricot kernel oil ointment, and use therapeutic grade essential oils if you wish to add an essential oil to your ointment. You can use a number of bases for your apricot kernel ointment, including butters such as almond butter, avocado butter, shea butter or coconut butter. A small amount of wax, such as beeswax or an emulsifying vegetable wax, should be used to help blend the ingredients in the oil and add a small amount of thickness to the ointment.
Take some time to think about what type of benefits you want from your ointment in order to choose the best essential oil or combination of oils to add to your recipe. For example: ointments for muscle pains and sprains would benefit from the addition of oils such as chamomile, lavender and rosemary, and essential oils such as tea tree, lavender, lemon or bergamot may be useful in ointments for skin conditions such as eczema or seasonal dry skin.
Preparing the Ointment
It is best to combine the ingredients in a double boiler to completely melt the waxes and blend the apricot kernel oils and butter. The use of a microwave is discouraged because it can destroy beneficial chemical properties in the butters and apricot kernel oil that are necessary to the quality of the ointment.
Combine the apricot kernel oil and base butter in a ratio of 4:1 (for example, 4 Tbsp. oil to 1 Tbsp. butter). Add half the amount of wax base to your apricot kernel oil measurement (for example, an ointment recipe with 4 Tbsp. apricot kernel oil would include 2 Tbsp. wax). If you prefer an ointment that is thicker or thinner, experiment with adding less or more of the wax base.
Use a quality metal whisk to combine the ingredients, and add essential oil(s) to the mixture after it has slightly cooled; add between 2 to 6 drops of essential oils to the recipe, but increase the amount if the recipe is large. Periodically whisk the ointment as it cools and then pour the ointment into an airtight container such as a tin or secure glass jar.
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