Herbal Salves
Making your own salve may sound tedious, but it's done simply by melting beeswax with oil in a double boiler, stirring in the herbs or essential oils and pouring the mixture into clean containers. Once it solidifies, check it for hardness. If you find it too hard, add more oil; too soft, add more beeswax. In addition to the herbs and essential oils, you will need almond, apricot kernel, grapeseed, or olive oil; beeswax or vegan wax such as candelilla wax or coconut oil; an pain to melt the wax and mix ingredients in; and clean containers to store the salve. I like www.specialtybottle.com or www.uline.com or you can use cleaned and sterilized baby food jars.
If you'd like to try your hand at making salves, start out with something basic like Calendula salve. It is gentle and versatile; excellent for eczema, diaper rash and dry, cracked skin. Comfrey salve cools inflamed skin and helps in healing rashes and other skin eruptions. A note of caution, comfrey salve is only to be used externally. Or try the strongly astringent plantain salve to soothe the pain of wounds, bites and stings or to stop bleeding.
Basic Calendula Salve Recipe:
Melt 1/2 c. beeswax in small saucepan over medium low heat. Stir in 2 cups infused calendula oil and 1 tsp. vitamin E oil. While warm, gently pour into clean jars. Store in cool, dry place. Good for 1 year.