Steps to Make Your Own Herbal Salve
You can make your own skin soother, lip balm, or a healthy substitute for petroleum jelly with a few simple ingredients. I prefer to never place petroleum products on the skin.
THE BASIC RECIPE
Warm two ounces of oil on a low heat and add a couple of ounces of beeswax (grated) to the oil to make a basic salve. Stir this until completely melted and blended with the oil. Pour your mixture into a small, shallow glass jar. When cooled, it will thicken. By mixing small amounts of salve, you can avoid the necessity of adding preservative ingredients to keep your salve from developing mold.
VARIATIONS
This basic recipe can be varied using oil infused with your favorite soothing herbs. I prefer to infuse a blend of coconut and olive oil. Because coconut oil is solid below 76 degrees Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius), a salve made with this combination will require less beeswax to solidify. Coconut oil adds anti-microbial qualities to your salve.
Once the beeswax has been blended with your oils, you have the option of adding other ingredients.
* A capsule of vitamin E oil increases the beneficial properties of your salve for the skin. Squeeze the contents of a pierced capsule into the beeswax and oil.
* Another skin soother and preservative in raw honey; add ½ teaspoon.
* For fragrance add several drops of your favorite essential oil. However, read labels carefully to be certain the oil is approved for skin application.**
* About seven drops of tea tree oil will act as a preservative. The strength of your tea tree oil is important. Some brands are stronger than others and can be irritating, so don’t overdo.**
It isn’t more complicated than that. You can create your own wonderful combination. Small baby food jars can be filled and decorated as thoughtful gifts. These versatile salves can be used as lip balm (add a nice flavoring) or a topical pain reliever. My preference is to limit herbal blends to two to four selected herbs. I choose herbs with properties that complement each other.
KAY’S SKIN AND MUSCLE ACHE SALVE
Use the heat method to infuse extra virgin olive oil with dried goldenrod leaves and flowers. Let oil heat in a double-boiler over simmering water for 3 to 4 hours or longer. I use about 2 cups oil to 1 cup dried herb. Remove the oil from the heat, strain it into a quart canning jar, discard the herbs, adding a cup of coconut oil to the jar, and stir until the coconut oil is melted and blended into the olive oil.
The next day, infuse this oil (the blended olive and coconut oil) with another cup of goldenrod and a cup of dried plantain, allowing this to heat over simmering water for another 3 to 4 hours or more.
Strain your oil again, discarding the herbs. In each salve jar place ½ teaspoon of raw honey, squeeze the contents of 1 or 2 capsules of vitamin E oil and 2 tablespoons of beeswax. If your containers are larger than baby food jars, make sure the beeswax is a generous measure. Pour the infused oil into the salve jar and stir until the wax is melted and the ingredients are fully incorporated. If the oil is not hot enough to melt your wax, place the lid firmly on your jar and set it into the hot water in the bottom of your double boiler for a gentle warming.
When blended, set the jars aside to cool. You should see it settle to a nice salve texture. Inflammation, itching, pain and bleeding are all eased by plantain, a styptic. Goldenrod acts as an antiseptic and soothes strains, sprains and sore muscles. I love the smooth texture of this salve and how nicely it penetrates the skin. I would feel comfortable using this on chapped lips, baby’s bottom, scrapes, rashes or blemishes. Painful muscles and inflamed soft tissue respond well to frequent application of this salve.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Should your salve be too hard, simply warm it and add more oil, blend and allow it to cool again. If you find your salve to be too soft, re-warm it adding more beeswax. Check the consistency after it has cooled to room temperature.
**BIG DISCOUNT**
**If you are interested in receiving a 25% DISCOUNT on aromatherapy pure essential oils and carrier oils, order THE VISION by Debi Pearl from Barnes & Noble on November 3rd or 4th 2009. In addition to enjoying quality carrier oils at a DEEP discount from Ancient Healing Oils, you’ll receive a wealth of herbal information in Debi’s latest best-seller, THE VISION. Follow the instructions on the book’s website to receive your coupon code. In addition to this discount, your purchase will qualify you for free bonus gifts and additional 25% discounts off purchases from The Bulk Herb Store, No Greater Joy Ministries, More Than Alive, The Mission Ball, and College Plus. Make plans now to purchase THE VISION from Barnes & Noble November 3rd or 4th, 2009.
NOTE: This article presents ideas and information designed to enrich the reader. This is not offered in lieu of sound medical advice. These ideas are the opinion of the author and fallible. The reader bears the responsibility for becoming informed and arriving at his own conclusions.
Altered recipe mini book for Samantha Part 1
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