Soothing Salve

This is my favorite, all purpose herbal salve.  It is excellent for even the most sensitive dry skin and aids in the healing of cuts, scrapes, and all sorts of minor skin abrasions.  The best part is that all the ingredients are food grade and easy to obtain. 

• 3 Tbl Coconut Oil
• 2 Tbl Olive Oil
• 1 Tbl Slippery Elm
• 1 Tbl Rosehips
• 1 tsp Chamomile
• 1 Tbl Beeswax Granules

Mix all ingredients except for the beeswax in the top pan of a double boiler and cover with a lid.  Add water to the bottom pan and bring to a simmer.  Allow to simmer for 4-6 hours, replenishing water as it evaporates. 

If like me, you don't have an actual double boiler simply nest two pans together with the ingredients in the smaller pan on top and water in the  larger pan below. Superman say's I'm ghetto, but I call it resourceful.   If using this method, just be aware of how high you fill the bottom pan so that no water seeps into your oil and herb mixture. 

Once the herbs have infused into the oils (after 4-6 hours), remove your concoction from the heat and allow to cool for 10-15 minutes.  Strain through a wire strainer to remove all the bits of herb and then return infused oil to a clean, dry pan. 

Now add the beeswax granules.

Heat once again, this time directly on stove top over low heat.  Stir occasionally and warm just long enough to dissolve the beeswax. 

Pour into a clean, 4oz container and allow to cool uncovered.  The warm salve will be clear and liquid, but it will thicken and become opaque as it cools.  Once salve is set, cover and use with in six months. 

My original recipe was created as a diaper ointment and contained equal amounts slippery elm, rosehips, and chamomile.  Since then, I have discovered that my husband does not like the smell of chamomile and I have reduced that ingredient significantly.  If a more scented salve floats your boat, give it a try.  I find the aroma quite enjoyable. 

I Think I Did Something Right!

 

 

This past week, I made my husband an achy joint salve that does so  much more.  Let me 'splain. 

 

Using herbs medicinally is nothing new to me, but this was my first attempt to try and incorporate the magical properties of herbs.  My husband has been having increasing pain in nearly all his joints, so I needed to make him a salve. My previous knowledge of herbs told me that ginger and a touch of cayenne should soothe and reduce inflammation, but I wanted to go a bit further this time.  Using my resources for magical herbalism, I decided to try adding a trio of magical herbs for energy; cinnamon, carnation, and dragon's blood.  When my trip to the local health food store only turned up one of the three special ingredients, I decided to incorporate it all the same. 

 

So we are talking about a simple salve of ginger, cayenne, and cinnamon. It sounds pretty basic. Not having the other two magical elements I expected the cinnamon to do little more than add aroma and maybe a touch of heat to the warming element of the salve.  All the same, I charged my ingredients and proceeded to create my salve. 

 

The following morning, hubby woke up more achy than usual and I proceeded to rub the new salve into his hands, feet, and back.  Medicinally, it was spot on.  As I worked in the salve, I could feel the tightness recede and the inflammation drain away.  What happened next is where the surprise came in.  My previously achy, far side of forty-year-old husband started acting like a teenage boy. 

 

After a nap that resulted in very little rest, my husband turned to me and asked, "Wow!  What was that."  I had to grin just a little as I told him,

 

"It must have been the cinnamon." 

 

It wasn't a fluke either, I felt it to a lesser degree from the contact with my hands and we have tested it since with the same outcome.  Yes, I had known that one of the magical properties of cinnamon is to incite sexual passion, but since that was not my intent and it was a single herb working alone I had dismissed it's power.  I doubt I'll make that mistake again, but I will be making more achy joint salve.