Thursday, February 10, 2011

Homemade Healing Salve

This recipe is great for chapped skin, minor cuts & scrapes, diaper rash, skin w/winter itch, cuticle cream...so many things. Very easy to make, although it takes a little time to 'cure', but if you are used to making soap & other such things, that won't be an issue.

You can put this in so many different little containers: Altoids tins, glass cream jars, containers from other salves you've had, small Brighton jewelry tins...experiment. (For locals ~ we have glass jars w/screw-on lids at Healthy Alternatives that are great for this!)

You will LOVE this!!


[Full Disclosure: these are not my photos but greatly resemble my preparations. As soon as I figure out how to get my PC to accept my up-loads from my camera, I'll post my own. It doesn't seem to want to work w/our new Linux system. :-/ ALSO: the inspiration for this recipe came from "Herbal Remedies for Children's Health ~ Rosemary Gladstar.]

You will need:

1 part comfrey leaf
1 part comfrey root
1 part St. John's-wort flower
1 part calendula flower
olive oil
grated beeswax (for later)

~In a clear glass air-tight container, combine all the herbs. Pour in 1 pint of olive oil & let it sit in the sun like 'sun tea' for 2 weeks.

~After 2 weeks, warm the mixture in a double boiler, on VERY low heat, for 1 hour. Strain it through a colander w/very small holes.

~You will end up w/about 2 cups; add 1/4 cup of grated beeswax. Warming the oil a little helps to melt the wax.

~Once it's melted, pour into your containers & let it 'set up.'

~Store in a cool area. Lasts 'forever'!

Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><
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6 comments:

  1. DiannaFebruary 10, 2011 at 12:55 PM

    Kim,
    Thank you for this salve recipe. The next time we make a trip to the bulk food stores I'll pick up the herbs. The Celestial Seasoning tea tins would work well for this also...about the same size as the Altoids. Still wishing we lived closer so we could go shop together and then come home and work in each other's work spaces to create some of these wonderful remedies together.

    Hugs to you, my sweet friend,
    Dianna

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  2. Patty SumnerFebruary 10, 2011 at 7:26 PM

    that looks interesting! Reminds me of a salve that my mother used to buy when we were yonger. Lovin your blog. Blessings!

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  3. Kelle at The Never Done FarmFebruary 11, 2011 at 10:33 AM

    Great recipe and instructions! I also make a salve using cottonwood buds( thus make it in the late winter/ early spring) You simply collect cotton wood buds( they'll be sticky so wear rubber gloves) place in a pint jar and cover with oilive oil, set in a warm place away from direct sunlight. Most likely your measurements will work for ths salve also. This is great for sore muscles and joints. You could add calendula for dry and chapped skin.
    It's fun making these isn't it?

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  4. Marmee's PantryFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:06 PM

    Oooo, ahhhh, Kelle ~ that sounds great! Sounds like it would work like an Arnica salve. :-) Thanks so much for sharing.

    Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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  5. AmyFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:11 PM

    This sounds nice. I use bagbalm. I think it has alot of the same ingredients. Maybe when I am in a home of my own again, I can make some of these things.

    Love ya

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  6. Marmee's PantryFebruary 11, 2011 at 1:16 PM

    Amy ~ I've used Bagbalm many times, it's a great product. I even have a couple of tins in my collection. :-) It might work to put this salve in 1 of those tins...my only concern it that the Bagbalm tins (at least the ones I have) are very deep. You might have to let it cure just a few days longer.

    Blessings from Ohio...Kim<><

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