http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/forum/herbal-crafting-and-medicine-making We Bring People Herbs. en-US Fri, 24 May 2013 05:01:50 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.3 q http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/search.php http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3394 Sun, 21 Apr 2013 18:55:36 +0000 wortsandcunning 3394@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Hiya, everyone,</p> <p> Sean Donahue posted on his blog <a href="http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/">Green Man Ramblings</a> some notes about herbs for grief and fear. It is, like most of his writings, quite wonderful and if you have time to check it out, it is insightful and useful.</p> <p> <a href="http://greenmanramblings.blogspot.com/2013/04/quick-notes-on-herbs-for-grief-and-fear.html">Quick Notes for Herbs for Grief and Fear</a></p> <p> Be well,<br /> Alexis</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3392 Thu, 18 Apr 2013 09:25:14 +0000 greenjourney 3392@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Ah, yes, I feel your sweet love, and I am so grateful for this caring circle! Steph, thank you being here with us &amp; for expressing so clearly the mix of emotions you feel. My heart goes out to you and I admire your courage. Many thanks for your wise words and helpful healing ways. I love your photo of star magnolia coming in to bloom!&nbsp;</p> <p> I&#039;m glad your sister &amp; niece had a change of plan on Monday, Kathi. This relief that our loved ones are safe is tempered with grief for those less fortunate. I feel the need for some borage courage on this fine morning. My borage plant is doing better than ever this spring!</p> <p> Love, Aline</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3391 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 06:46:17 +0000 stephzabel 3391@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I am grateful for this discussion - thank you everyone for the wonderful reminders and herbal suggestions.</p> <p> Boston has been my adopted home for the past seven years - I truly love this city and it has been a great shock for such terrible events to happen so close to home. I was just on Boyleston St. - where the bombings occurred - last Friday and still have a hard time fathoming what happened. Like many others here I have experienced a strong range of emotions within the past day and a half - sorrow, grief, shock, confusion, anger, weariness, stress, worry, helplessness, overwhelm, pain.... We are all still moving through it, even though we return to our normal lives... I have to remind myself not to watch or read too much news and to take time to protect my sore heart. It is best to be with loved ones now, with animals, and of course, with the herbs.</p> <p> I wanted to say what has been helpful for me this week. When I first heard the news on Monday, after furiously calling all my dear ones to make sure they were okay, I went home and made some tea: linden, borage, violet, tulsi and hawthorn berry. I drank it with some friends as we watched the news, and though our hearts ached, we were comforted to be together and sip our tea.</p> <p> Last night I became very upset after reading the news before bed, so I made an infusion of oatstraw and linden. I slept deeply and actually over-slept this morning for the first time in a long time. Must have needed that.</p> <p> Burning sage has also been helpful - it makes me feel protected and fortified. It offers strength in dark times.</p> <p> Borage has also been a big one for me lately - a plant of joy and courage. I feel that in times of stress in can offer a lot - its medicine is deep and soothing, a wonderful nervine.</p> <p> Thank you for all your suggestions, lovely ones - schisandra is a wonderful idea for a time of trauma - I will brew some when I get home...</p> <p> Wishing you all peace in your hearts. The spring buds are emerging here, and hope and greeness will return to us again.</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3390 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 18:19:13 +0000 herbalrevolution 3390@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Aline, I am so happy to hear that your son is safe!&nbsp; My sister was planning on heading over to the finish line yesterday with her 1 1/2 year old daughter.&nbsp; She told my parents before they left to come back home to Maine from visiting her in Boston that she was thinking of spending the afternoon at the marathon.&nbsp; We were so very relieved to learn that she never made it down to the city.</p> <p> Kiki, I agree with what you are saying about the jaw and I too have found this to be the case.&nbsp; It was something that I noticed with in myself over the years, but once I became a massage therapist I started to notice it in others as well.&nbsp;</p> <p> Alexis, I love california poppy and make a lovely california poppy and lavender tincture that I use for sleep issues, I use it alone or with skullcap, fresh milky oats, sacred basil it all depends on the situation.&nbsp; I like to use it for pain, anxiousness as well.</p> <p> Skullcap though tends to be my go to for anxiousness as well as Motherwort if there are any changes in heart rate or blood pressure.</p> <p> Thanks everyone for sharing.</p> <p> Love to you all!</p> <p> xo</p> <p> Kathi</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3389 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:49:14 +0000 wortsandcunning 3389@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I really like Valerian, too, for panic and anxiety attacks, especially when followed up with Skullcap (<em>Scutellaria lateriflora</em>), Tulsi, and Lavender (<em>Lavandula officinalis</em>). Thanks everyone, for continuing to share such wisdom on this thread...</p> <p> Have folks worked much with California Poppy (<em>Escholzia californica</em>)? I&#039;ve heard it compared to Passionflower in its uses and temperments, but I&#039;ve only begun to get to know this plant.</p> <p> Be well,<br /> Alexis</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3388 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:56:21 +0000 mayamade 3388@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Oh, Aline! I am so glad your kids are okay. They must still be very upset.</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3387 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:58:52 +0000 kiki 3387@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> So glad to hear that your son is ok Aline!!</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3386 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 10:26:21 +0000 greenjourney 3386@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Thanks for starting this good discussion, Alexis. It is really interesting to read everyone&#039;s trauma remedies and supportive therapies. My herbal allies for this heavy mood are St. John&#039;s Wort, Valerian, or Holy Basil prepared as teas. I &#039;m likely to add lemon balm or peppermint leaves for flavor. I personally find the dietary supplement L-Theanine (a deriviative of green tea) to be very calming whenever I&#039;m super anxious.&nbsp;</p> <p> Kathi, I was weeding the lemon balm yesterday when our son in Boston called to calm my fears as this news came in. He and another son just happened to be at the finish line the evening before. Let&#039;s breathe deeply and keep our hearts open to healing this hurt in our society.&nbsp;</p> <p> Love, Aline</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3385 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 09:12:09 +0000 kiki 3385@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Kathi,</p> <p> One thing that really popped out at me in your post was the attention to the jaw. I really find that area to be importantn to work with for assisting people&#039;s ability to &quot;digest&quot; all elements of life. It&#039;s hard to imagine taking in/receiving trauma but we have to let it in if we want to let it go.</p> <p> Thanks!</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3384 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 08:02:02 +0000 mayamade 3384@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Wow. I was going to suggest rose too. I have rose essential oil used as aromatherapy for such tragidies.</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3383 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 06:51:45 +0000 herbalrevolution 3383@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Here are some of the things that I like to use for a heavy heart.</p> <p> Roses: wear rose petals right on the skin over the heart all day long, smelling them I like to run the petals over my lips and face, take wild rose elixir until no longer needed and apply rose infused oil and give your self a massage with special attention to the temples, jaw, heart and abdomen.</p> <p> Infusions of oat straw or dried oat tops, lemon balm, sacre basil (tulsi) maybe some hawthorn berries, lindon and violet (heartease) passionflower and hibiscus</p> <p> Tinctures of fresh milky oats, lemon balm, motherwort, sacred basil (tulsi), violet (heartease) and maybe skullcap</p> <p> Forget me not flower essence</p> <p> Infused oils of rose, lemon balm, sacred basil, lavender, chamomile, violet, linden, etc.&nbsp; Use these oils to give yourself a full body massage, with some special attention to temples, jaw line, neck, heart, abdomen, hands and feet.</p> <p> If you have a garden go weed especially if you have a lemon balm patch, weeding the lemon balm is a great place to spend time for a heavy, wounded and angry heart.</p> <p> Sing, dance, howl, swim, go for a walk, visit a white pine tree, what ever it takes to bring a release, providing an outlet for the emotions to move.</p> <p> Much love and peace to Boston and to all that live in a places of violence and ignorance.</p> <p> xo</p> <p> Kathi</p> <p> <br /> &nbsp;</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3382 Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:45:05 +0000 Meadow Walker 3382@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I was also thinking about the terrible tragedy in Boston.&nbsp;I watched the news and my heart went out to the&nbsp;people who were injured and who have&nbsp;lost loved ones. The shock and trauma will be with them for quite sometime.</p> <p> I have suggested Siberian ginseng [ Elentherococcus senticosus] for people who are tired and run-down from daily stress. This herb is traditionally used to help build up energy levels during a recovery period from illness, surgery, injury or an emotional crisis. For sufferers of chronic fatigue, Siberian ginseng may prove beneficial when taken on a daily basis for up to a period of six weeks.</p> <p> Valerian [ Valeriana officinalis ] is a clinically proven herbal sedative. Quite a few clinical studies support valerian&#039;s reputation as a sedative herb. It helps insomia sufferers to fall asleep quicker and stay asleep through the night. Unlike over the counter sedatives, valerian very rarely produces side effects. Valerian is usually taken in capsule or dried root form. Valerian is not habit forming and works best when taken every night over a period of several weeks.</p> <p> I&nbsp; keep a small bottle of peppermint essential oil in my purse&nbsp;to promote&nbsp;clearer thinking. I sprinkle a drop or two on a&nbsp;hankerchief&nbsp; and hold it&nbsp;under my nose and breathe deeply. I also&nbsp;drink lemon balm tea for its calming effect.</p> <p> Blessings to all. Be well and prosper.</p> <p> Meadow Walker</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3376 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:50:55 +0000 kiki 3376@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Thank you so much for this post Alexis. Herbs are so amazingly supportive to us in each event/transition and learning process of our lives. Trauma is no different.&nbsp;</p> <p> I have found that the topical use of Frankinsence essential oil can have a very grounding and emotionally strenthening effect for those who are experience tragedy especially when there is loss of life or threatened loss of life.&nbsp;</p> <p> For emotional &quot;shock&quot; I like the astringent properties of Schizandra. It is like a gathering net that brings one back into their body.</p> <p> For &quot;aftershocks&quot; like anxiety attacks or insomnia, Calms Forte homeopathic is gently and profound (and a great choice for children).</p> <p> I am putting this discussion on the fb page and twitter feed, hopefully others will join in.&nbsp;</p> <p> Thanks again for the post and for your heartfelt thoughts and engagement.&nbsp;</p> <p> love, Kiki</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/herbs-for-times-of-tragedy#post-3375 Mon, 15 Apr 2013 18:43:41 +0000 wortsandcunning 3375@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Hiya, everyone,</p> <p> Given the recent events in Boston, I was reminded that I have wanted to start a community conversation about herbs in times of tragedy. In my own practice I work with lots of folks who are recovering from various levels of violence and trauma in their background, so I have certain herbs (including flower and gem essences) that I find myself reaching for often. In general, I reach for adaptogens (such as Tulsi <em>Ocimum sanctum</em>) and nervines (like Oats <em>Avena sativa</em>) for dealing with the impact of trauma. I think Bach&#039;s Rescue Remedy is an excellent in-the-moment aid and I usually keep a small bottle on me. The remedies I use range depending on the circumstances as well as when I use them, but Motherwort (<em>Leonurus cardiaca</em>), Elder Berry and Flower (<em>Sambucus nigra</em>), Ghost Pipe (<em>Monotropa uniflora</em>), Black Cohosh (<em>Cimicifuga racemosa</em>) have all been useful.</p> <p> For herbalists, street medics, birthworkers, social workers, and others who find themselves working on the edges, I always recommend knowing what plants are your allies - the ones who have your heart when things get really tough - and to develop a sacred relationship with them before the hard times come.</p> <p> What other herbs have folks used? I look forward to learning about other folk&#039;s herb allies and the way we support our communities when they are in pain.</p> <p> Be well,<br /> Alexis</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/where-to-buy-glass-containers#post-1051 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:29:38 +0000 good4you 1051@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> i also want to recommend the <a href="http://www.sunburstbottle.com/">sunburst bottle co</a> . they are smaller than sks and think more eco friendly. love&nbsp;</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/where-to-buy-glass-containers#post-1050 Mon, 24 Sep 2012 11:35:49 +0000 GraceGardenNaturals 1050@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Thanks! :)</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/where-to-buy-glass-containers#post-1033 Sun, 16 Sep 2012 12:45:24 +0000 mayamade 1033@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> there are several places you can buy glass containers from</p> <p> <a href="http://www.sks-bottle.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.sks-bottle.com</a> and specialtiybottles.com are two. good luck!</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/where-to-buy-glass-containers#post-1032 Sun, 16 Sep 2012 10:35:40 +0000 GraceGardenNaturals 1032@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Hi,</p> <p> I hope you all are doing well! I am looking for a website where I can buy dark colored glass containers for my herbal preparations. Please share where you buy yours. Thanks so much! :)</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-853 Thu, 09 Aug 2012 19:25:19 +0000 SpiritHorseHerbals 853@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> way cool!</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-840 Wed, 08 Aug 2012 19:33:26 +0000 Michelle Czolba 840@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I read something recently about this, here&#039;s the link:</p> <p> <a href="http://indiebeauty.com/forum/topics/help-with-grainy-lip-balm-with?commentId=2331810%3AComment%3A73089" rel="nofollow">http://indiebeauty.com/forum/topics/help-with-grainy-lip-balm-with?commentId=2331810%3AComment%3A73089</a></p> <p> I would guess that you could heat the shea up first and then before plunging in the ice, mix in the other oils...</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-807 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 19:05:11 +0000 Pgr 807@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p>Thank you for posting this - an Internet search looking for a solution to this problem is what led me to the Poppy Swap! I've noticed the same thing - my smooth salve becomes grainy after about a week. :(. I've had a couple batches that remained smooth, but not most.</p> <p>Eager to hear what others have to say! </p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-782 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 08:02:56 +0000 SpiritHorseHerbals 782@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I&#039;m so glad you brought this up here on the forum! It&#039;s fun to toss ideas and thoughts around with each other.</p> <p> Let&#039;s see if anyone else has some tricks for us on shea butter....</p> <p> &nbsp;</p> <p> Kristie</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-777 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 19:43:21 +0000 fawnlilybotanica 777@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Hi Kristie,</p> <p> Thank you so much for the wonderful and thoughtful response!</p> <p> I heat my Shea Butter over low heat in a double boiler till barely melted, then pour it into containers and allow it to cool at room temperature. &nbsp;I also don&#039;t like heating it too quickly, and prefer a gentler approach in order to retain as many of the medicinal and cosmetic properties of the ingredients as possible.</p> <p> Perhaps I used too much Shea Butter in my formulations. And, it did take a few weeks for the Shea Butter to become grainy, the products were smooth when I first made them. &nbsp;And, now that I&#039;m thinking about it, I have some whipped butter that I made 6 or more months ago with a blend of butters and oils, and it hasn&#039;t become grainy at all! &nbsp;Hmmm....</p> <p> It seems as though this is normal for Shea Butter, I was just hoping for some magical tricks. I don&#039;t mind graininess in my own products, but since I&#039;m making these to sell, I just want them to be perfect. :-)</p> <p> Thank you again! &nbsp;I really appreciate your help and insight on this.</p> <p> ~ fawnlily botanica</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-773 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 12:59:26 +0000 SpiritHorseHerbals 773@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Great question!</p> <p> Shea is a fav of mine. Because I blend it in with medicinal oils (infused) I don&#039;t like to heat any of the formula up fast or hot and certainly not for prolonged periods of time. I heat slow and steady until shea (and any butter I&#039;m working with) melts. Then off with the heat.</p> <p> I find over time (months) my lip balm tubes get grainy if shea is the predominent butter. To me, it&#039;s just a by product of shea and when you are only using natural processes and materials. With that said, I do blend it in with other butters that are not grainy. This is my solution! And for my body butters that I also blend (not just straight shea) I whip mine. i.e. blend up with a hand blender to get a creamy whipped thing going on. Haven&#039;t found these to get grainy at all!</p> <p> &nbsp;</p> <p> I&#039;d love to hear other people&#039;s experiences and am curious too if the quick to cool down by putting the products in the fridge works!</p> <p> &nbsp;</p> <p> ~Kristie</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/shea-butter-preventing-it-from-becoming-grainy#post-772 Wed, 04 Jul 2012 08:54:15 +0000 fawnlilybotanica 772@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Hi everyone!</p> <p> I recently made a batch of lip balm and a body butter with Shea Butter, and they are both grainy. &nbsp;Both times, I melted the butter over a double boiler (with other ingredients) until just melted, then poured into my countainers and allowed the products to cool at room temperature. &nbsp;I plan to remelt them, and have been doing much research online, but have been finding conflicting information.</p> <p> Does anyone have a &quot;magic&quot; trick for melting Shea Butter?</p> <p> These seemed to be the most popular methods for preventing graininess in Shea Butter online:</p> <p> 1. Temperature Control Method: Heat the butter to 170-185 degrees F and keep this temperature steady for 10-15&nbsp;minutes (some sites say up to 20 minutes). The steady heat will eliminate the fat crystals that are causing the graininess. Rapid cooling may help stop the&nbsp;crystals from reforming.</p> <p> 2. Cool Down Method: Melt the shea until it has just melted, and stir to remove melt any remaining small pieces and to&nbsp;mix the shea thoroughly. Let the shea sit uncovered until it reaches room temperature, but is not solid. Pour into&nbsp;individual containers and place them in a cool location.</p> <p> *Note: this is the process that I used, and ended up with grainy Shea Butter.</p> <p> I&#039;m thinking of heating the oil to 170 degrees, holding it there for 10 minutes or so, then popping the products into the fridge to cool.</p> <p><div><br /> Please let me know if you have any feedback or special tips on this! &nbsp;I&#039;d love to hear them. &nbsp;Thank you!</div> </p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/making-preserving-gels#post-762 Thu, 28 Jun 2012 08:50:31 +0000 cos4me 762@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> i emailed this elsewhere on another post</p> <p> Hi everyone,. i use Leucidal liquid as well but the best price i fouind sold online is the sample shop</p> <p> i asked why they are able to have the lowest pricing vs other retailers and they said they are a sister company of the manufacturer. same stuff ive ordered it they ususally have free shipping</p> <p> so its best&nbsp; i order from them hiope this helps you</p> <p> website is <u>formulatorsampleshop.com&nbsp; </u>the link to their lecudials is</p> <p> <u><a href="https://www.formulatorsampleshop.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=leucidal">https://www.formulatorsampleshop.com/SearchResults.asp?Search=leucidal</a></u></p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/a-great-article-on-grapefruit-seed-extract-if-you-are-using-please-read#post-740 Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:41:12 +0000 Danika 740@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Thank you for sharing this, Kiki!</p> <p> This is some great information, I have only skimmed through so far but will read in detail soon as I can.</p> <p> It can be hard to find access to solid information regarding GSE. I spent many hours researching all ingredients I have considered using and finding the truth about grapefruit seed extract was a real eye opener. That was a few years back now! I learned of the manufacturing process and read a few studies and that was enough to seal the deal for me. No GSE in Herb &amp; Petal products! Of course, one must do their own due diligence regarding their own products and their intentions. For me, using GSE felt like I would be misleading my customers, it sounds natural, but knowing the real process used to make it, the reality of the product left me unable to use it without feeling guilt for lowering my intended standards. I felt it to be a deceptive product.</p> <p> On the &#039;Lets be Real in Our Ingredients&#039; thread, one of the herbalists suggested Leucidal as an alternative preserving agent for hydrous preparations. It is created from radish root ferment. I urge all skin care makers to consider looking into this. I am and I intend to order some in to play around with so I can offer some of my yummy herbal lotions to my customers. Here is a link to more info on leucidal: <a href="http://www.theherbarie.com/Leucidal-Liquid--pr-439.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.theherbarie.com/Leucidal-Liquid--pr-439.html</a></p> <p> I am so glad this information is rippling through the herbal community now.</p> <p> Warmest regards,</p> <p> Danika.</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/a-great-article-on-grapefruit-seed-extract-if-you-are-using-please-read#post-736 Mon, 11 Jun 2012 18:02:15 +0000 kiki 736@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> Thanks to Kiva Rose for sharing <a href="http://cms.herbalgram.org/herbalgram/issue94/QUALCONTROL_gfse.html">this link</a></p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/making-preserving-gels#post-638 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:58:13 +0000 Amber 638@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> I&#039;m not sure if this has already been said but be sure to only use deionized or distilled water. It has made a huge difference at the shop I work at where we make all kinds of herbal lotions and skin care items by hand. We also use grapefruit seed extract and wheat germ oil. I alway strealize pots and utinsils with rubbing alcohol first too just to be safe.</p> http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/topic/making-preserving-gels#post-637 Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:53:57 +0000 Michelle Czolba 637@http://community.poppyswap.com/forum/ <p> <a href="http://www.theherbarie.com/Leucidal-Liquid--pr-439.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.theherbarie.com/Leucidal-Liquid--pr-439.html</a></p> <p> Radish root ferment (aka Leucidal) is working well for me for creams. If your formula is mostly liquid I imagine you&#039;d tend toward the 4% usage.</p>