Massage Truffles

Continuing in the spirit of gifting and massages (last week we covered DIY Soy Wax Massage Candles), let's chat about massage truffles. Massage truffles are similar to lotion bars, but are smaller in size, hence the name truffle, and have a higher concentration of beneficial oils to target specific needs. They are easy to make and are a cute gift to give. Just make sure to label them 'not for eating'!

Use your truffles to massage sore muscles, soothe burnt or irritated skin, or cool your skin down after a hot day. Massage truffles are conveniently travel sized, so they are ideal to take with you on holiday.

The key ingredients in a massage truffle, apart from the base of cocoa butter and beeswax, are the essential oils used. Go for stimulating oils such as cinnamon, cassia and black pepper, cooling elements like peppermint oil and menthol crystals, healing oils such as frankincense and myrrh and anti-inflammatory oils such as helichrysum, lavender and copaiba balsam.

Here are three great recipes to try. You can of course use any of your favourite essential oils in place of the ones listed below. You can also use a vegan wax in place of the beeswax.

Cooling Choc Mint Massage Truffles

Try these super simple to make cooling massage truffles - perfect after a hot, sweaty day.

• 20g cocoa butter
• 20g beeswax
• 10g grapeseed oil
• 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 3g menthol crystals
• 8 drops cassia essential oil

Mehod:

1. Melt the cocoa butter, beeswax, and grapeseed oil in a hot water bath.
2. Add the essential oils and menthol crystals.
3. Pour into small molds (silicone is best) and leave to set up in the fridge before removing.

To use, massage into sore muscles and wait a couple minutes for the cooling sensation to set in.