Looking out in to my gardens, the fresh new green leaves of Plantain, Comfrey, and the bright orange Calendula flowers shout out, “It’s time to make some garden salve!”
It is my pleasure to share a basic recipe for crafting your own garden salve. There are many ways in which you can use your salve and by no means is this the only way to create it. I enjoy my garden salve for those cuts, scrapes, bumps and bruises I get when working outside with my hands. They make great gifts and are easy to travel with.
As you start to learn more about the herbs growing wildly (or cultivated) in your backyard, may you be inspired to be creative.
Garden Salve
Ingredients:
- · Beeswax
- · Olive Oil
- · Calendula Flowers
- · Plantain leaves
- · Comfrey leaf
First step
Infuse your oils. A simple way is to use the power of the sun. Once you have infused herbal oil the rest is quick.
How to Infuse Your Oils
Pick your garden herbs that you wish to use in your salve and let them dry before putting them in a jar. This will help prevent spoiling.
Once dried, fill a sterilized jar with the herb of choice.* Pour your oil over with 1-2 inches of oil above the herbs. Cap the jar and place in warm location. Don’t forget to label. Shake it periodically. Let this sit for at least 2 weeks up to 6 weeks..
*I make different oil for each herb. This way you have more room to play when creating herbal products.
Strain Oil
After you have let your herbs infuse into the oil, it’s time to strain those herbs out. Use a cheesecloth or those milk bags (only use for oils) and a sterilized jar. Squeeze as much as you can out of your herbs before tossing them into the compost.
Step Two
Oil into Salve
• 8 oz herbal infused oil(s) of your choice. Choose one or a combination.
• 1 oz Beeswax
• Vitamin E oil (optional)
• 10-20 drops essential oil (optional). Commonly used are Lavender and Tea Tree.
• Glass jars or tins \
*Makes about 8oz worth
In a double broiler, place oil and beeswax into pot and gently heat up until the wax melts. Remove from heat. If you are adding essential oils or vitamin E, this is the time to add them. Now it’s time to pour the oil into the jars or tins before they cool down.
Don’t cap right away, let them set and cool down in their containers first. Once they have set cap and label.
Enjoy your new garden salves, keep one nearby or share them with other gardeners and friends.