Intensive Shea Hand Cream
A rich, thick hand cream that repairs cracked hands, cuticles, and dry skin — especially effective in winter.
Benefits
Ingredients
- Shea butter — 60g
- Beeswax — 10g
- Sweet almond oil — 30ml
- Vitamin E oil — 5ml
- Lavender essential oil — 10 drops
Instructions
- Melt beeswax in a double boiler.
- Add shea butter and sweet almond oil; stir until fully melted.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool to 40°C.
- Add vitamin E and lavender essential oil.
- Pour into small tins or jars before it sets.
Notes
No water phase means no preservative is needed. Anhydrous (water-free) formulas are naturally stable.
Interactions & contraindications
Shea butter
Full profileNo herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Shea butter in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Shea butter itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Shea butter in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Beeswax
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Beeswax in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Beeswax itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Beeswax in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Sweet almond oil
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Sweet almond oil in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Sweet almond oil itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Sweet almond oil in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Vitamin E oil
No herb-specific pregnancy/child safety research is documented for Vitamin E oil in our references — the guidance below is based on its general effect category, not research on Vitamin E oil itself. Always confirm with a midwife, doctor, or pediatrician.
Pregnancy
Insufficient DataNo specific pregnancy safety research is documented for this herb in our references. This doesn't mean it's unsafe — it means it hasn't been well studied. Treat as unstudied and avoid unless a midwife or doctor familiar with your pregnancy advises otherwise.
Breastfeeding
Insufficient DataNo specific breastfeeding safety research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a lactation consultant, midwife, or doctor before use.
Children
Insufficient DataNo specific pediatric safety/dosage research is documented for this herb in our references. Treat as unstudied and consult a pediatrician or pediatric herbalist before giving to a child.
No specific drug or herb interactions are documented for Vitamin E oil in our references. This doesn’t mean none exist — always check with a pharmacist or doctor before combining any new herb with prescription medication.
Lavender essential oil
Full profile- CNS medications (benzodiazepines, SSRIs, MAOIs) — may potentiate sedative or serotonergic effects
Pregnancy
Likely SafeAromatherapy and mild tea use are widely considered safe throughout pregnancy; internal use of concentrated lavender oil/capsules is less studied and generally kept to topical/inhaled use instead.
Breastfeeding
Likely SafeAromatherapy and topical use are considered compatible with breastfeeding; avoid direct application near the nipple/areola before nursing.
Children
Use CautionDiluted aromatherapy is commonly used to help children sleep. Repeated topical exposure in prepubertal boys has been raised as a possible (though not conclusively proven) factor in rare cases of hormone-related breast tissue changes — avoid regular, undiluted topical use.
Sedatives
Additive drowsiness, particularly with oral use.