In the McDonald household the walking stage is not only a developmental milestone, it is also an indication that a child has graduated from “kissable flower-feet”status to “big kid stinky-feet status.” Walking on the dirty ground, shoes, flip-flops, and sweat all contribute to smelly, dry, and often sore feet.

Especially as we age, dry, cracked feet are not only unsightly, they can also be very painful. And, depending on the state of your immune system, they can even be dangerous. Those with deep skin fissures (cracks) may be at risk for infection. Therefore, prevention is often the best medicine. Thankfully, the recipe I’m going to share with you is both preventative and therapeutic after the skin has already become dry or cracked.

The skin of your feet may have a thick buildup of dry skin (a callus) that is yellowed or brownish in color. Cracked heels often appear with age, as our bodies slow down. People who are required to be on their feet all day, walking or standing on hard flooring, may also suffer from cracked heels.

Medical reasons for cracked feet may include a chronic illness such as diabetes, thyroid disease, psoriasis or eczema, and athlete’s feet. Chronic dehydration or a nutritional deficiency in vitamin A, zinc, or omega-3 fatty acids are other contributing factors to the development of dry cracked feet.

In addition, being overweight may increases pressure on the feet, causing them to expand in width; skin lacking in elasticity or moisture may easily crack.

Loose, open-backed shoes, like flip flops, may be another culprit.

Recently, on a trip to California with my husband, James, he picked up a foot balm at the airport for some cracks in his heels. I read the ingredient list and shot him a look. He knew what the look meant – I didn’t approve. Everything on the ingredient list looked good, coconut oil, shea butter beeswax, all ingredients that I use in my homemade lip balm, except for the last one: Fragrance. Knowing that chemicals can absorb through the skin and get into the blood stream, I don’t want synthetic chemicals on my family.

The problem was that the stuff seemed to  help and I hadn’t given him an alternative.

So, I promised I’d make him a foot balm that was better, all-natural, and contained healing therapeutic grade essential oils. I chose essential oils that would aid in the healing of chapped or injured skin and came up with this luscious hand and foot balm. He LOVES it and I’m glad he has something that doesn’t contain nasty chemicals! It’s also good for chapped  noses when little ones have cold.

What to Do!

1. Soak feet in a tub of warm water and Epsom salt, infused with a few drops of lavender. Pat dry skin.
2. Smooth callouses or cracked areas of the feet with a pedicure file to safely remove as much dead skin as possible. Rinse and dry again.
3. Generously apply Crack-be Gone Hand and Foot Balm by thoroughly rubbing it into the skin. If needed, a spa sock may be worn overnight for extra therapeutic care.

Crack-be-Gone Hand and Foot Balm

• Two (2 oz.) empty deodorant tubes (a mason jar may also be used)
• 3 Tablespoon Coconut Oil
• 3 Tablespoon Beeswax
• 2 Tablespoon Shea Butter
• 2 Tablespoon Sweet Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil
• 1 tsp. Pure Lanolin (I use Lansinoh)
• 2 drops Vitamin E Oil
• 20 drops YL Therapeutic Grade Myrrh
• 10 drops YL Therapeutic Grade Rosewood
• 5 drops YL Therapeutic Grade Lavender

Melt beeswax in a double boiler. Add Vitamin E and fatty oils. When mixture is melted and blended completely, turn off heat. Allow oils to cool a bit and then add essential oils. Immediately pour into deodorant tubes and allow to cool completely at room temperature. (May also use empty lip balm tubes. This size is great for gift-giving or travel.)

This recipe makes two (2 oz.) tubes of Crack-be-Gone Hand and Foot Balm. Crack-be-Gone may also be used for other areas of dry or chapped skin (lips, blisters, noses, cheeks).

Myrrh, with its anti-fungal properties, has been used for centuries for a number of ailmentss, including dry, chapped, and cracked skin. It is mentioned in one of the oldest known medical records, Ebers Papyrus, an ancient Egyptian list of 877 prescriptions and recipes. It was also listed in Hildegard’s Medicine, a compilation of early German medicines.

Rosewood also has anti-fungal properties and is additionally used for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Soothing Lavender is used for a number of skin ailments and has antiseptic, antifungal, analgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Order therapeutic grade essential oils at wholesale prices HERE!

Warning

If you experience severe pain when you place pressure on your heels, you may have deep heel fissures that have become infected. Your doctor may refer you to a podiatrist for further treatment, footwear recommendations, or custom orthotics. The information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to prescribe, diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is your responsibility to educate yourself and address any health or medical needs you may have with your physician. Please seek professional help when needed.

Categories: Aromatherapy Recipes, Essential Oil Tips, Home Spa, Oil Recipes
Tags: blisters, chapped skin, cracked feet, dry skin