Old-Fashioned Healing Salves Anyone Can Make At Home

Written by: Susan Patterson Natural Health

Healing salves, passed down through the centuries, contain the goodness of medicinal plants to relieve pain and inflammation and promote healing.

Here are five healing salves for common problems that anyone can make at home:

1. Burn-aid salve

If minor burns are a common affair in your household, you need this handy burn salve for immediate pain relief and faster healing of the skin. It is simple, yet often as effective as any ointment your money can buy.

The lavender soothes the skin and the honey works to dry up any blisters and promote skin regeneration. Calendula promotes healing and prevents scarring.

You will need:

• 2 tsp lavender essential oil
• 2 tsp calendula essential oil
• ½ cup honey (Manuka honey with UMF 15+ gives the best results)
• 1 cup coconut oil

How to make:

1.          Melt coconut oil by keeping it in a warm place or in a bowl of hot water.

2.          Add lavender and calendula essential oils.

3.          Allow the mixture to cool until it starts to solidify, and beat in the honey.

4.          Store in a wide-mouthed glass jar.

New “Survival Herb Bank” Gives You Access to God’s Amazing Medicine Chest

2. Healing chest rub salve

This decongestant chest rub can bring great relief during the cold and flu season. It is much safer than petroleum-based chest rubs, and a must in households with children.

 You will need:

• 2 tsp eucalyptus oil
• 1 tsp rosemary oil
• 1 tsp camphor oil
• 1 tsp lavender oil
• 1 tsp lemon oil
• ½ cup olive oil
• ½ cup beeswax pellets
• 1 cup cocoa butter

How to make:

1.          Melt the beeswax in a double boiler and add the cocoa butter to it. Mix well until the cocoa butter melts and gets mixed with the melted wax.

2.          After the waxy mixture has cooled slightly, add the olive oil and all the essential oils to it.

3.          Pour into small glass or metal tubs and let it cool completely before sealing the containers.

 3. Healing salve for cuts, bruises and insect bites

Minor cuts and bruises happen all the time. They may usually heal on their own, but secondary infections can complicate things. This healing salve with analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties will not only give immediate pain relief, but will prevent infections and help the injured skin heal faster.

You will need:

• ½ cup calendula petals (or 1 tsp calendula essential oil)
• ½ cup arnica flowers (or 1 tsp arnica essential oil)
• 1 tsp tea tree oil
• 1 tsp peppermint oil
• 1 tsp lavender oil
• 1 cup olive oil
• ¼ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1.          Put the flowers in a glass bowl and pour warm olive oil over them. Keep it in the oven or stove at the lowest setting for six to eight hours.

2.          Melt beeswax on a double boiler and take off the heat.

3.          Strain the flower-infused olive oil into the wax, mixing well.

4.          Add all the remaining essential oils and mix well.

5.          Pour into glass or metal containers and allow to set before putting on the lids.

4. Old bones salve

This one is excellent for all the aches and pains old age brings, but can be used by the young and the athletic with equal effect. It gives lasting relief whether it is arthritis, rheumatism, sprains and strains, or anything else that gives pain in the joints or muscles. The pain relief comes from the warming effect of cayenne and cloves, while the ginger and turmeric reduce inflammation.

You will need:

• 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tbsp turmeric powder
• 2 tsp dry ginger powder
• 1 tsp clove essential oil
• 1 tsp wintergreen essential oil
• 1 cup virgin coconut oil
• ¼ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1.        Melt the coconut oil by gently heating it, or keeping it in the sun or in a warm place indoors.

2.        Mix in the cayenne pepper powder, turmeric powder and dry ginger powder and leave overnight in a warm place.

3.        Melt the beeswax pellets in a double boiler and let the wax cool slightly.

4.        Strain the coconut oil through a muslin cloth and add it to the melted beeswax, along with the essential oils.

5.        Allow the mixture to cool, stirring several times until it solidifies.

 5. Salve for eczema and damaged skin

Skin conditions like eczema require constant care. Instead of depending on commercial products of doubtful composition, you can make a soothing salve that keeps the skin soft and moisturized and helps to relieve any itching and burning.

 You will need:

• ½ cup calendula petals
• 1 tsp lavender oil
• 1 tsp German chamomile oil
• 1 tsp neem oil
• 1 cup Jojoba oil
• ½ cup beeswax pellets

How to make:

1.          Infuse calendula petals in jojoba oil by mixing both. Keep the mixture in the sun or in a warm place for a day. (Gently heating the mixture will accelerate the process.)

2.          Melt the beeswax in a double boiler and let it cool a bit.

3.          Strain the jojoba oil and add it to the melted wax along with all the essential oils.

4.          Pour into glass or metal tubs and allow to set before capping.

 The beeswax-carrier oil combination determines the texture of the salve. You can always adjust it to your liking by slightly changing their proportions. To get an idea of how the final product will be, take a spoonful of the salve mix while it is still warm and pop it into the freezer for five minutes. Add more oil to the warm mixture to lighten the texture or some melted beeswax to make it thicker.

© Copyright Off The Grid News