Chai Spice–Infused Oil
This exotic scented oil makes a fantastic bath, body, or massage oil and
is used as a base ingredient for the Sugar Chai Honey Scrub (Chapter 4).
The warming, antioxidant-rich chai spices include cinnamon, cardamom,
nutmeg, star anise, ginger, fennel, and black pepper, along with black
tea. In Ayurvedic traditions, chai spices are known to be calming,
vitalizing, and mentally clarifying. Get ready for your house to smell
really, really good.
YIELDS: 8 ounces
8 ounces jojoba oil
⁄ cup loose chai tea 4 vitamin E capsules
What you will need: double boiler, measuring cups, rubber spatula,
strainer (cheesecloth or tea strainer), dark-colored 8-ounce bottle, funnel.
- To Make: Start a double boiler on medium heat. Once boiling, reduce
heat to a simmer. Place the chai spices into the pan. Pour the jojoba oil
over the spices, saturating them. Cover and simmer on low heat for 1
hour. Check back every 20 minutes or so to make sure there is enough
water in the double boiler. Remove from heat, take the top pot off the
double boiler, and let cool. Strain the tea from the oil into a bottle. Pierce
the vitamin E capsules and squeeze the liquid out into the bottle,
discarding the gel caps. Place cap on tightly and shake well to blend. - To Store: Will keep up to 2 years if stored out of direct sunlight.
- To Use: Use as an exotic bath, body, or massage oil.
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