This salve is made from oil that has been infused with St. John’s Wort, Comfrey and Calendula herbs. Each of these herbs has many wonderful skin healing properties including cuts, scrapes, stings, bruises, burns, sore muscles, diaper rash, cradle cap and more! It is so simple to make and can be given as fabulous gifts too! You can read about the specific medicinal properties of these herbs below. If you like other herbs and want to use them instead, by all means do what works for you! That is the beauty of this recipe!
From left to right: Calendula, Comfrey, St. John’s Wort
The first step is to infuse the oils!
Place fresh or dried herbs into pint or quart jars (depending on how much you want to make) and cover the herbs by an inch.
Cover the jars with lids and set out on a warm sunny porch or sunny window seal in the winter.
Allow to infuse in the sunlight for 2-4 weeks.
Dry herbs are best to use so that moisture doesn’t get into the oil. Although, there are some herbs that need to be used fresh like the flowers and buds of St. John’s Wort. If you do use fresh and see moisture develop at the top of the inside of the bottle just open it up and wipe it away with a clean paper towel.
Try making a double strength salve by straining the first batch, placing the infused oil back into the jar and then adding more of the same herb starting the process all over again.
Salve Recipe
Once the oils are infused, measure the amount you have.
For every cup of oil you will add 1/4 cup shredded beeswax.
Melt the beeswax with the oil in a saucepan until melted.
Test the salve to make sure it is the consistency you want by spooning a little bit and placing into the freezer for a minute so it sets up fast. If you want it more solid add more beeswax. If you want it softer, add more oil.
Pour the liquid salve into a jar ( I get mine at Industrial Container and Supply).
Before it sets up ( and it will do it quickly) add 1 drop of vitamin E oil for every ounce.
Also add 2 drops essential oil for every ounce. I like to use lavender and tea tree oil for their medicinal properties. They compliment the salve very well!
The vitamin E oil will help preserve the salve longer as well as keeping it in the fridge too!
I think your Bio needs a little update. 😉 Thank you for your skin Salve!, it helps with Acne as well!
Yeah it does!