My love of and passion for natural herbal remedies and healing has extended beyond simply being in nature to making healing salves and herbal infusions. Since 2012 I’ve been working to perfect my natural recipes and I love sharing them with others through my apothecary as well as in my herbal medicine-making classes where I teach how to create your own herbal remedies and healing salves.
Quality is of the utmost importance to me when crafting these remedies. All of my salves and tinctures are non-GMO, gluten-free, and made from completely wild-harvested and/or organic herbs.
Some of my personal favorite herbs (and the most-used herbal ingredients in my products) are listed below. I’ve also shared which health issues and uses I find each to be most effective for and which of my products you’ll find them in.
Arnica
I find Arnica useful for treating bruises, aches, sprains, swelling, arthritis flare-ups, carpal tunnel syndrome, and general pain relief. Arnica is used in my First Aid Salve, Sore Muscle Salve, Arthritis Salve, and Fibromyalgia Salve.
Calendula
I use Calendula as an anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, astringent, antifungal, and antiviral. Because Calendula has immunostimulant properties I find it very useful for disinfecting and treating minor wounds, conjunctivitis, cuts, scrapes, chapped or chafed skin, bruises, burns, athlete’s foot, acne, yeast infections, bee stings, diaper rashes, and other minor irritations and infections of the skin. Calendula is found in my First Aid Salve, as well as my Arthritis, Sore Muscle, Fibromyalgia, Anti-Fungal, and Bite/Sting/Rash Salves.
Cottonwood Bud Oil (Balm of Gilead)
I use this herbal oil for it’s anti-fungal, anti-microbial, & anti-inflammatory properties. I like to use it externally for pain relief from issues such as swelling, arthritis, strains, and general muscle pains. It has also been useful for treating cold sores and sunburn. Cottonwood Bud Oil is found in my First Aid Salve and Arthritis Salve.
Lavender
I like Lavender for treating restlessness and insomnia and for its calming effect. I’ve also found it helpful with headaches, toothaches, sprains, and joint pain. It’s also useful for repelling mosquitoes and other insects! Lavender is found in my First Aid Salve, Nerve Pain Salve, Sore Muscle, Fibromyalgia Salve, and Bite/Sting/Rash Salve.
Plantain
This herbal remedy has been useful as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. I use it externally for swollen joints, sore muscles, sprains, rashes, insect bites and stings (to help with itching and pain), snake bites, and sore feet. A nice plantain tea can be useful for managing diarrhea, dysentery, and intestinal worms. It can be used internally as a tincture for leaky gut – I often use it for this in conjunction with my Reishi and Turkey Tail Tinctures. Plantain is found in my First Aid Salve and Bite/Sting/Rash Salve.
Yarrow
Yarrow is one of my top “go-to” herbal remedies. Everyone should have this in their herb kit! I like Yarrow for its antibacterial properties. I’ve also found it’s great for ear infections, wound care, relieving fevers, shortening the duration of the cold and flu, and helping to improve relaxation during illness. Applied topically, Yarrow can be helpful in managing rashes, minor skin infections, wounds, and itching. I use Yarrow in my First Aid Salve.