Herbal Salve Recipes

Herbal treatments come in many forms, including oral and topical treatments. Herbal salves are some of the most popular herbal treatments. They can be expensive, but it is possible to make many herbal salves at home, with little fuss and for much less cost.

Making Salve

• If you are using fresh plants, be sure to clean them first. Shake the dirt off, spread them out, and allow them to dry for several hours.

  Measure the amount of herbs you want, and completely cover them with oil. The oil should be about an inch above the herbs. Now heat the mixture for about three hours on very low heat. A crock pot is excellent for this purpose, or you can use a stovetop.

  Let the mixture cool, and then line a strainer with cheesecloth. Pour the mixture into the strainer, and squeeze out as much oil as you can. Now add beeswax to the oil, and reheat the mixture until the wax has melted. Any other additions, like vitamin C, should be blended in at this point. Now your salve is ready to use.

St. John's Wort Salve

• St. John's wort is a common herbal remedy that is used to cure many different problems, including insect bites, itching, wounds, burns and fungal infections, so this is a good all-purpose salve. It is especially handy for picnics or camping trips.

  You will need St. John's wort, calendula, comfrey leaf, plantain, olive oil, beeswax, and vitamin E. Prepare the ingredients according to the instructions above.

Crack Salve

• As we get older, cracks often appear in our skin. These can be painful and also dangerous if bacteria infect them. This salve will soothe the pain of cracked skin and promote healing.

  Infuse calendula, plantain, and St. John's wort in oil and add beeswax. Then add vitamin E, pine oil, chamomile, lavender, and black tea.

Balsam Pear Salve

• This salve is good to apply to small pricks in the skin. It is ideal for people who sew and quilt. Keep a jar with your sewing equipment.

  You will need mutton tallow, lard, white petroleum jelly, beeswax, pear balsam (bitter melon) and oil of wintergreen. Remove the seeds from the balsam, and prepare the salve according to the instructions above.