How to Make Savior Salve

Yesterday I spoke to the current state that comfrey is in. It is unfortunate that it cannot be recommended for internal use, but this doesn't mean that we won't make the best of it and external applications can be very effective. Today I want to show you have easy it is to make your own salve. This salve is super effective for cuts, scrapes, bruises, broken bones, torn ligaments, diaper rash and sore muscles. The main recipe was derived from a Rosemary Gladstar recipe; however, I tweaked it a little to fit my own needs. This is what you will need:

• 1/2 oz of comfrey root
• 1/2 oz of comfrey leaf
• 1/2 oz of calendula flowers
• 1/2 oz of St. Johns-wort
• Essential oils of your choosing (optional)
• 1 pint of olive oil
• 1/4 to 1/2 cup of grated beeswax

Mix the herbs and the olive oil in an airtight jar and let the mixture steep for about two weeks.

At the end of the two weeks, empty the contents of the jar into a double boiler on the stove and warm the mixture for about an hour. Be sure not to heat the oil to high, you may end up destroying some of the active ingredients.

Strain the mixture.

I use paint strainer bags to strain my infused oils and tinctures because they are reusable. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle!

Once the liquid is strained, place the liquid back on the double boiler on the stove and add the beeswax. Add 1/4 cup of grated beeswax for every 1 cup of infused oil.

Once the beeswax has fully melted, take you salve off of the stove and add the essential oils. I added 10 drops of lavender essential oil and 10 drops of tea tree essential oil for their added anti-microbial and vulnerary properties. Spoon your salve in airtight jars. I like to put it in a lot of little jars to give samples away to friends. 

This is one of my favorite topical applications for all sorts of skin issues and wounds and it is so easy to make. I call it the "Savior Salve" because it is for sure a savior helping with so many problems. I hope you like it as much as I do.



How to make Homemade Lotion

Today, like most other days, I want to show easy it is to make your own health and beauty products. Today I made face and body lotion. As with the few preceding posts, I have tried to stress that anything that you put on your skin will be absorbed into the blood stream and lotion is no exception. I live in a very dry climate so I'm no stranger to using lotion. No matter how much water I drink my skin always seems to need a little extra moisture, but so many lotions contain synthetic ingredients or artificial scents. And the "All Natural" lotions can be pricy. So I decided to make my own lotion. I was a little intimidated at first because I knew that lotion was mixing oil and water. Typically the two don't mix, however, at the right temperature the two solutions will mix, forming the lovely mixture we know as lotion.

The recipe I use is taken from Rosemary Gladstar's book "The Family Herbal." I know that I've said it before, but I will say it again, this book is a must have! For anyone interested in knowing more about herbalism or for the seasoned herbalist looking for some new recipes, this book is a wealth of knowledge and information about herbal living. So the recipe is as follows:

Waters
2/3 cup of distilled water
1/3 cup of aloe vera gel
1 or 2 drops of essential oil
Vitamins A and E as desired

Oils
3/4 cup of apricot, almond or grapeseed oil
1/3 cup of coconut oil or cocoa butter
1/4 teaspoon lanolin
1/2 to 1 ounce of grated beeswax

Mix all the waters into a measuring cup. I feel that the 1 to 2 drops of essential oil that Rosemary called for is far too few. I would use up to 40 drops of essential oil depending on the oils you are using. The essential oils also add healing properties as well as a wonderful aroma. Once the waters are mixed, Set them aside and let them get to room temperature.

Mix all the Oils into a double boiler over low to medium heat.

Heat the oils just enough to melt all the ingredients together. Remove from the heat and place the oils in the blender.

Let the oils sit in the blender until they reach room temperature. When this happens, the mixture will get thick, creamy and turn a beige color. I like to poke the top of the mixture to see what it looks like on the bottom. If there is still some oil that has not solidified you need to let the mixture cool a little longer. Once the solution has reached room temperature put the lid on the blender, removing the small circle on the top of the lid. Turn the blender on its highest speed and slowly start adding the water to the center of the mixing oil. You may need to stop the blender and at times to hand mix the mixture. but resume blending and pouring water until all has been mixed together.

What you will end up with is thick, creamy lotion. When you rub it on your skin it may seem greecy at first, but after a few minutes the oils will absorb into the skin. Place into jars and label. I like to put some into little sample jars to hand out to my friends (they always like to try my latest and greatest). If your lotion doesn't turn out the first time, try again. It is well worth the perseverance.

Sources:

Gladstar, R. (2001). Rosemary Gladstar's family herbal: a guide to living life with energy, health, and vitality. North Adams, Mass.: Storey Books.