For this recipe you are going to have to get your hands dirty and be very patient!

• saucepan
• strainer
• large funnel
• 2 10-ounce jars with air-tight lids
• measuring spoons
• measuring cup
  

Step 1 - Find and Plant Snow Drop Bulbs
Look through some bulb catalogs, which are published each fall, for an old-fashioned bulb called snow drop, which has white flowers that grow in a terminal cluster. Used externally, snow drop is known to help chronic pain and regenerate damaged nerves.1 It cannot be taken internally. Snow drop has two advantages over another popular plant, St. John’s Wort, as an external remedy for nerve regeneration: The first is that it does not stain; the second is that it does not increase sensitivity to sunlight.

To grow your own snow drop bulbs, plant your catalog-bought bulbs in a sunny place, keep them moist and mulched, and then harvest them next year. Then every two or three years you can dig the new bulbs up and use some for lotion, give some away and plant the rest back in the ground after adding some bone meal and a little kelp to their bed.

If you intend to use the catalog-bought bulbs for your recipe, instead of planting and harvesting your own, then make sure those bulbs were not treated with fungicide, as you certainly wouldn’t want any dangerous chemicals in your lotion!

Step 2 - Make the Glycerite
Scrub and then peel the snow drop bulbs. Chop the bulbs fine to make at least 1/4 cup and add to the saucepan. For every 1/4 cup of snow drop bulb you will need 3/4 cup glycerin and 1/4 cup water. Barely simmer on low for two to four hours, stirring occasionally. The longer time is preferred. Slowly simmering the bulbs in glycerin will eliminate any bacteria. Strain into a clean glass container with an air-tight lid. Try to squeeze all the juice out of the bulbs that you can. Label the jar “Snow Drop Glycerite.”

Step 3 - Make the Lotion
Into a 10-ounce clean glass jar with an air-tight lid measure 1/2 cup Snow Drop Glycerite, 1/2 cup aloe vera juice or gel, and two teaspoons of your oil/lecithin blend. Shake vigorously for two minutes, three or more times a day until completely emulsified. This may take a few days. These ingredients will separate, so just shake them back together.