Nature-Based Healing
Whether you are looking to relieve pain and inflammation or would like to treat burns, rashes, cold sores, or counteract the effects of aging — I have an all-natural salve for you! Even if you are a beginner and have never made an herbal preparation before, the simple recipes in this post will have you up and running in no time. Prefer hands-on training? See my online Herbal Academy Master Course down below. Let’s begin!
Healing Salves + Recipes
Calendula (Calendula officinalis). Otherwise known as pot marigold, this perennial is part of the aster/daisy family. It is outstanding for treating cuts, rashes, bruises, burns, cold sores, chicken pox, and other skin irritations. It also soothes muscle spasms, promotes collagen production, and addresses hemorrhoids. It is antimicrobial, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory. Because calendula is such a useful herb (and one of my personal favorites), I include it as one of the ingredients in our apothecary’s All-Purpose (First Aid) Salve.
Soothing Calendula and Chamomile Salve (Fast Method)
½ c organic olive oil
⅓ c solid organic coconut oil
3 T dried calendula flowers
1 ½ T dried chamomile flowers
1-2 oz (28g to 56g) beeswax
Instructions: In a double boiler, melt the olive oil and the coconut oil together over low heat. Add the flower petals and allow the mixture to steep for 2 to 3 hours, taking care it does not become too hot.
Strain out the flower petals. Return the pan with the strained oil to the stovetop. Add the beeswax and gently melt over low heat while stirring. If too thin — add more beeswax, too thick — add more oil. Once the wax is completely melted and the desired consistency, pour into your containers. Allow to cool completely before use.
Safety: Some people are allergic to calendula. Do not use it if you are allergic to marigold, ragweed, daisies, chrysanthemums, chamomile, echinacea and other plants in the Aster/Daisy family. If you are not sure, start with a small test patch on the skin and increase use gradually if you have no reactions. Do no not use calendula internally if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, since safety is unknown. Do not take calendula internally if you are taking prescription medications without the advice of your doctor.
Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum). This pepper is famously known for increasing blood circulation and warming the skin. It helps to soothe and relax muscles, while also relieving pain. Rub a small amount of this salve over achy muscles and painful joints regularly for relief.
Pain-Relieving Cayenne Salve
*Use with care. Wash your hands very well after applying it and do not touch your
eyes!
½ cup olive oil
1 T dried cayenne pepper flakes
2 T beeswax
3 to 4 drops wintergreen essential oil
Place the olive oil and cayenne flakes into the top of a double boiler. Bring the water in the bottom pan to a simmer. Simmer the pepper and oil mixture for 60 minutes, keeping an eye on the water levels in the bottom of the double boiler. Remove the oil from the heat and allow it to cool slightly, then strain out the pepper flakes and discard. Return the oil to the heat and add the beeswax. Stir until the beeswax is completely melted, then remove from the heat. Add the wintergreen essential oil and stir well. Pour the salve into a suitable container with a tight-fitting lid.
Massage a small amount of salve into sore muscles and joints 2-3x/day. It can take a few weeks to get maximum results.
Safety: Do not use on the face, mucous membranes, or open wounds. Do not use it if pregnant or nursing. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap after use.
Don’t have the time to do-it-yourself? See my convenient Joint & Movement Salve in the apothecary. It is formulated with cayenne — plus calendula, St. John’s wort, arnica, and cottonwood buds for powerful pain and inflammation relief!
Chaparral or Creosote (Larrea tridentata). Found throughout Southwestern North America, chaparral is helpful for treating acne, psoriasis, eczema, dandruff, rashes, burns, and bruises. It is antibacterial and antimicrobial, making it an excellent choice for applying topically to wounds.
Easy Chaparral Salve
Carrier oil such as organic olive oil or liquid coconut oil
Dried chaparral leaves
Beeswax
Fill a glass jar half-full with dried chaparral. Cover the herbs with organic olive oil, filling the jar
to near the top. Cover the jar with a tight-fitting lid and label. Place the jar in a sunny location for 6 to 8 weeks, shaking every few days. Strain out the herbs.
Measure the infused oil and add 1/4 the amount of beeswax (if you have one cup of oil, add ¼ cup of beeswax). Using a double boiler, heat the two together gently until the wax melts. Stir well, then pour into your containers to harden. Use within two years.
Bayberry or Wax Myrtle (Myrica carolinensis and M. cerifera). The wax extracted from the bayberry fruit and combined with the powdered root of the shrub is effective for relieving aching joints and sore muscles due to the anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving compounds found in the plant.
Bayberry Fruit Extract and Wax Extraction
Around five pounds of berries are needed to yield about one pound of wax. Gather bayberries in the mid-fall when the fruit is fully ripe. Wash the berries in cold water and place them in an old pot, preferably one reserved for wax making, and cover them with at least 2 inches (5 cm) of water. Bring the pot to a simmer, but do not boil. Simmer for at least one hour. Turn off the heat and cool overnight. In the morning, remove the solid wax from the water. Use the saved wax to make the salve below.
Joint & Muscle Bayberry Salve
1/4 to 1/2 cup extracted bayberry wax (see above recipe)
1 cup organic olive oil or another carrier oil, more if needed
1 T powdered bayberry root
Add the powdered bayberry root to the organic olive oil and place over low heat. Warm the oil and powdered root together for 30 minutes. Add the bayberry wax, stirring, until it is melted and the wax and oil are thoroughly combined. Cool the mixture and test the consistency. Add more wax if the salve is too runny or more oil if it is too hard. The consistency will depend on your extracted wax and may vary between batches. Gently warm until liquid and poor into your containers.
Interested in learning about additional uses for the above herbs, along with recipes for a range of herbal salves, tinctures, oil infusions, jellies, smoking blends, and more? Have a look at The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies Volumes One and Two.
Mastering the Art of Herbal Medicine
Have you ever wanted to learn more about herbalism and how to make your own natural remedies, but weren’t sure where to begin? My hands-on Herbal Academy Master Course is for you! Even if you are experienced in herbal medicine, my course will deepen your knowledge and bring new insight into the vast world of natural healing.
With this online course, you will learn …..
- How to identify wild plants and mushrooms in nature — including dangerous lookalikes
- DIY salves, essential oils, poultices, tinctures, extractions, syrups, and more
- How to craft unique remedies tailored to your personal health needs
- Herbal safety
- and much more!
Unlock the secrets of nature with a one-time purchase that grants you and your family instant access — for life! You will also receive The Lost Remedies Academy Guide to quickly find all the information included in the course. What’s more, I am giving you three additional bonus ebooks: Complete Anti-Inflammatory Meal Plans; Wild Edibles: Your Guide to the Amazing Superfoods Around Your Home; and The Herbal Weight Loss Protocol.
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Whether you’re a beginner eager to explore the world of medicinal herbs and foraging, or looking to expand existing knowledge, this course is designed to empower you to take charge of your health and self-sufficiency, while reducing the need for costly medical visits.
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Nicole Apelian
Nicole’s Apothecary Products in this Post
All-Purpose (First Aid) Salve
Joint & Movement Salve
