Make Your Own Miracle Salve!

HOME-MADE HEALTH

Psalm 104 speaks of the goodness of God! He is a merciful Creator who provides for the needs of his creation.

“He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth; And wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and oil to make his face to shine, and bread which strengtheneth man’s heart.” Psalm 104: 14-15

Herbs and oil are among the many gifts that God has given us for our good. Herbs and oil are the main ingredients in this easy-to-make salve that can be used for minor cuts, burns and insect bites.

When my children were small, I typically treated their minor cuts and skin injuries with triple antiobiotic ointment. As a young mother, I was completely unaware of the growing problem of antibiotic overuse. Unfortunately, I learned about the over-use of antibiotics the hard way.

We spent many years on what I call the “antibiotic merry-go-round.” Each time my children showed symptoms of being sick I did my best to treat them with over-the-counter medications. Often my best efforts fell short and I ended up taking them to the doctor. More often than I care to remember, this resulted in a round of antibiotics. I have since learned that the overprescribing of antibiotics by pediatricians is all too common. Dr. Robert S. Mendelsohn, in How to Raise A Healthy Child in Spite of Your Doctor, states:

“Indiscriminate use of antibiotics by doctors, and particularly by pediatricians, is not at all uncommon. It may, in fact, be the rule rather than the exception.” (p.117)

Eventually I wised up and realized that we really needed to get off the “antibiotic merry-go-round.” I began studying natural alternatives to conventional medicine. At one point, I took a course on pediatric botanicals and learned how to make salves. I learned that herbal salves can help reduce pain, stop bleeding, and speed along the healing of wounds.

No more triple antibiotic ointment for my family!

This recipe for wound salve is wonderful. I make a large batch at a time and give it away as gifts to family and friends. Over the years it has gained a reputation in our family, for successfully healing all kinds of wounds, such as burns, cuts, abrasions, sin rashes and insect bites. We started calling it our “miracle salve” and the name stuck. Below are some of the generally understood benefits of each of the herbs followed by the recipe. Enjoy!

Plantain Leaf (Plantago lanceolata)

Plantain leaf has historically been used to help relieve skin inflammation. It helps to sooth and heal wounds, insect bites, and rashes. It also acts to calm itching and draw out toxins from the skin.

Calendula Flowers (Calendula officinalia)

Calendula is prized for its anti-inflammatory properties and for its reputation for stimulating wound healing. It is an excellent treatment for scrapes, cuts, and scalds. It has antiseptic qualities and helps control bleeding by aiding in blood clotting.

Comfrey Leaf (Symphytum officinale)

Comfrey’s popular name “knit-bone” reveals its abilities. It is known to soothe pain, ward off infection, and encourage cells to grow together rapidly. It is commonly used in folk medicine for the healing of cuts, wounds, sprains and broken bones.

Yarrow Flowers (Achillea millefolium)

Yarrow has a reputation for stopping bleeding and has traditionally been used to treat wounds. It is known to be ant-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and to act as an antseptic.

Rosemary Leaf (Rosmarinus officinalus)

Historically, Rosemary has been burned in sick chambers to purify the air and has been used to slow food spoilage. Recent research has shown that Rosemary enhances the cells’ intake of oxygen. It contains properties that are antiviral, antibacterial and anti-infalmmatory.

Echinacea Leaf (Echinacea purpurea)

Echinacea is generally used for immune support. It is useful for balancing bacteria, fungal overgrowth, and is considered anti-viral.

Cathi’s Miracle Salve

Equal Parts:

Plantain Leaf, Calendula Flowers, Comfrey Leaf, Yarrow Flowers, Rosemary Leaf, Echinacea Leaf, Olive Oil, Bees Wax, Vitamin E Oil

1.Add equal parts dry herb to a mixing bowl and mix well.

2. Fill mason jar(s) about 1/3 full with mixed herbs.

3. Cover herbs with olive oil leaving a one-inch head space at the top.

4. Cover jar with a lid and screw on but not too tightly. Place jar(s) on top of a dishtowel inside crockpot.

5. Fill crockpot with water to just below the jar lids.

6. Simmer on warm for 3 days, checking and refilling with warm water as it evaporates from crockpot. (Do not pour directly on glass jars) The water should not boil rapidly, but simmer just at or below the boiling point. If the warm setting on your crockpot is too high, you may need to turn it off periodically to keep the water from getting too hot. I like to simmer it during the day and turn it off at night for three consecutive days.

7. After three days, turn off crockpot and allow jars to cool until just slightly warm.

8. Remove jars from crockpot and strain warm oil from herbs by pouring through cheesecloth.

(At this point, the infused oil can be used immediately to make salve or stored in a mason jar for several months, in a cool dark place until ready to make the salve.)

9. When ready to make the salve, pour infused oil into a saucepan and heat on low heat until hot but NOT boiling. Melt 2 oz. (about ½ cup) of beeswax pellets per 8-9 oz. of infused oil, stirring gently until completely melted.