How to Make Salves

Work-worn, chapped and dry skin certainly deserves some relief. Chronic skin problems may be remedied by simple herbal concoctions. When it comes to general skin remedies, nothing beats an old-fashioned salve. For years, homemade salves have saved families from the discomforts of a number of skin problems.

Things You'll Need

• Herbs
• Wax and infused oil
• Olive oil
• Your choice of essential oil
• Double boiler pan
• Cooking thermometer
• Jar

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Instructions

• 1

  Rinse off the dirt from the leaves of your selected herbs or plantain leaves in a cold running water. Pat them dry. Put the leaves in a blender or food processor for fine chopping. Put the mixture into the glass bottle.

• 2

  Fill the glass bottle with vegetable oil, and cover the lid. Let the mixture stand for about a month to allow enough time for infusion. Once enough time has passed, strain the leaves from the oil. Retain the oil and discard the strained leaves.

• 3

  Put the oil into a double boiler. Cook the oil with low heat, about 100º F, and avoid simmering the mixture. Place a thermometer in the pot to keep an eye on the temperature.

• 4

  In a separate dish, prepare the wax. Then, mix it into the infused oil. Keep them mixture warm enough to allow the wax to slowly melt, and prevent the wax from solidifying.

• 5

  Keep stirring the mixture until the wax has completely melted. Once the wax has completely melted, remove the boiler from the heat. Pour the mixture into a glass container.

• 6

  Test the consistency of your salve by dripping a couple of drops into the bottom of the salve jar. If it happens to be too loose, add more wax. If the mixture is too firm, add olive oil.

• 7

  Your glass jars should be completely cool before sealing. The unwanted condensation may ruin the consistency, as well as the quality, of your salve.

• 8

  After your bottled salve is set, make a label with the ingredients you used, and place on your bottled salve. Also be sure to indicate the date when it was prepared.