Hi all - it's been some time since my last post. But I'm excited to say I recently retired from a wonderful 28-year career as a pharmacist working for a large drug company. I'm now thoroughly enjoying spending more time on my beekeeping and gardening hobbies and hope to share my new musings more often in future posts now that the day job no longer interferes!
As a perpetual curiosity cat, my posts will continue to be a blend of whatever I happen to be doing in my Dakota Pharmgirl-related activities combined with a bit of side-wanderings into historical fun facts.
In this post, I'll share how to make herbal salves. I've enjoyed making them for years from plants from our garden and sharing them with family and friends.
Not only are they easy to make, they're gentle, effective, and very portable!
Even if you don't want to make them for yourself, hopefully you'll find it interesting to understand how they're made and what they're good for as well as enjoy a bit of fun history along the way!
What are Herbal Salves?
Herbal salves or balms are essentially a mixture of beeswax combined with herbal or flower infusions in a carrier oil that has drawn out the fat-soluble healing compounds of the plant. The term 'salve' and 'balm' are commonly used interchangeably as they are generally the same thing. Technically, a balm is a little bit harder as it has a higher wax-to-oil ratio than a salve, but we'll just refer to them all as salves today.
Many different kinds of plants or flowers can be used in salves and each has it's own healing properties while beeswax is naturally antimicrobial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory with the ability to both soothe skin and lock in moisture. Together they are a great combination and can be used as chapstick or to treat minor skin irritations, wounds or bruises, or muscle aches.
The use of salves as homemade remedies represents a blend of traditional knowledge from Indigenous, European, Asian, and African practices. Our use in the United States likely came primarily from Europe. In 1652, Nicholas Culpeper, an English physician and botanist, published The English Physician. Later called The Complete Herbal, the book provided recipes for personal herbal remedies, bringing trusted medical knowledge about herbs and traditional folklore treatments to ordinary people. While seemingly simple in concept, it was actually quite controversial and considered a direct insult to the College of Physicians. And apparently, old Nick had quite the attitude about his colleagues!
"This not being pleasing, and less profitable to me, I consulted with my two brothers, Dr. Reason and Dr. Experience, and took a voyage to visit my mother Nature, by whose advice, together with the help of Dr. Diligence, I at last obtained my desire; and, being warned by Mr. Honesty, a stranger in our days, to publish it to the world, I have done it."
He was truly a radical in his time - arguing against bloodletting, toxic remedies that were in use, and hidden medical knowledge only published in Latin. At one point, he was even accused of witchcraft (more on that topic later) and the Society of Apothecaries tried to curtail his medical practice. His book, written in plain English and intended to help the poor, was widely popular and was most certainly brought over by colonial settlers of the U.S. This combined with knowledge obtained from the Native American populations on plants commonly found in our country likely formed the basis of many common herbal salve remedies used here in the States. In the late 1800's, salves were a driving force in the patented medicine industry in the U.S. where an explosion of 'cure alls' were marketed. Those that didn't overpromise and worked well were able to stay clear of the coming regulatory crackdowns. Anyone use Mentholatum? That's been around since then!
However, before we get too caught up in gratitude for Culpeper, there's a bit more history here. It was discovered that much of the content of The Complete Herbal was actually taken from apothecary John Parkinson's Theatrum Botanicum of 1640.
So......did Culpeper create something very useful and easier to read for the underserved public? Yes. But was his reputation as a physician for the common people based on knowledge first published by a pharmacist? Also yes. If we're gonna give praise, let's appreciate the long-standing effective partnerships of physicians and pharmacists =).
One other funny I came across emphasized this tension between traditional medicine and alternative home remedies and how circular this history has been. Below is "A Short History of Medicine for a Headache":
- 2000 B.C. — Here, eat this herb.
- 1000 A.D. — That herb is heathen. Here, say this prayer.
- 1850 A.D. — That prayer is superstition. Here, drink this potion.
- 1940 A.D. — That potion is snake oil. Here, swallow this pill.
- 1985 A.D. — That pill is ineffective. Here, take this antibiotic.
- 2000 A.D. — That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this herb.
Natural remedies are certainly back in popularity as a reasonable alternative to traditional medicine for certain conditions. Hopefully we can now better appreciate that there is a place for both and where each can be used most effectively. Ok, let's talk about making salves!
Collecting and Preparing Herbs
The first step to making a salve is collecting or sourcing herbs or flowers to create an herbal infusion. It's important that collected plants are free from pesticides or debris. They should be carefully inspected and ensured they are appropriately dried before putting in oil to prevent common causes of spoilage. It's also possible to buy organic herbs or flowers online.
I've dried herbs/flowers by either hanging them in a bright window or using a food dehydrator. If using a food dehydrator, be careful as it can sometimes get too hot for more fragile blooms if used too long. Once dried, it's best to crumble your plant material into smaller pieces to increase the surface area that can interact with the carrier oil.
To understand which herbs do what, I would recommend Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow, and Use by Rosemary Gladstar. Another good source is The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them by Dr. JJ Pursell. Or go old school with The Complete Herbal by Culpeper - it's still out there and now in modern formats.
At the end of this post, I've provided an Appendix that lists common plants and their uses.
For the next steps, you'll need the following equipment and supplies:
- clean glass jars
- a carrier oil (e.g. olive, jojoba, or almond oil)
- beeswax (or alternative wax like soy wax)
- heat safe pitcher or glass pouring cup (or double boiler with pouring spout)
- fine mesh strainer and cheesecloth
- measuring cups and a kitchen scale
- 1 to 2 oz aluminum tins or glass jars
Making the Herbal Infused Oil
There are essentially 2 ways to make herbal-infused oil - a slow method and a quick method.
For the slow method, you simply put the dried herbs in a glass jar and combine 1 part herb or dried flower to 2 to 3 parts oil, making sure the oil completely covers the plant material. Seal and let sit in a cool dark place for 4 to 6 weeks, shaking it occasionally.
For the quick method, you combine the herb and oil as above but put inside a water bath or a double boiler on low setting. Heat it gently (95-120°F) for 4 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally.
Either way, the carrier oil will extract the beneficial compounds from the herb or flower.
Once ready, you will need to strain the mixture to remove the plant material from the oil. I have used either a mesh strainer with cheesecloth or a fine mesh stainless-steel strainer that I have. I have also seen people use a reusable/washable nut milk bag. It's fun to see all the beautiful colors of the different plant infusions!
Making Salves
To make a salve or balm, you generally combine 1 part beeswax with 4 parts oil. Melt in a double boiler or use a heat safe aluminum pitcher or Pyrex measuring cup set in a larger pot with an inch or two of water. Use medium heat and stir until melted and well mixed.
I use the following recipe to make enough for 8 tins.
- 1 cup infused oil
- 1 oz beeswax (~1/4 cup)
- 20 drops essential oil
Once off the heat, you can add essential oils (20 to 40 drops) or Vitamin E.
Then just pour into tins and let harden.
The recipe can be adjusted depending on how firm you want the end result (a 1:3 wax-to-oil ratio will create a firm balm, a 1:4 ratio will create a standard salve, and a 1:5 ratio will create a very soft, spreadable salve). If you add other ingredients like shea butter or cocoa butter (such as for a chapstick), understand that will soften the mixture a bit, so you may need more beeswax. Some people like to add vitamin E for its healing and preservative effects.
A good way to test if you have the desired consistency is to pour a couple drops onto a plate and put the plate in the freezer for a few minutes to harden. Remove and rub the salve between your fingers to see if it's the texture you want.
For clean-up, it's easier if you wipe out the pouring jar with a paper towel to remove most of the material before washing with soap and water.
Once cooled and solidified completely, put the lids on and they are ready to use! Apply a small amount to affected areas as needed. They will usually keep for about 6 months. If Vitamin E has been added, this extends to about 12 months.
And that's it! They are easy peasy.
One Final Salve Story
Okay earlier I promised more on salves and witches - so before we close, let's take a little side journey into that history. You know witches are commonly depicted as flying on broomsticks? Have you ever wondered why that is? There are a couple different stories in folklore, but one actually has to do with the pharmacologic properties of particular herbal ointments.
During the Middle Ages, aconite, belladonna, hyoscine (scopolamine) or henbane ointments were considered 'witches ointments'. At some point, people had learned these substances could be absorbed through sweat glands in the armpits (or via the mucus membranes in their nether regions) to avoid the GI symptoms that came with eating or drinking formulations containing them. In pharmacist language, this alternate administration avoided the 'first pass effect' of metabolism thru the liver. The reason for wanting to use these powerful ointments could have been for ritual or spiritual experience or purely recreational - history is not really clear. But reports of 'feeling like flying' or visions of flying were part of the hallucinogenic effects reported with the ointments. From the 15th century onwards, accounts of "flying ointments" being used by witches were out there. The French witch hunter Jean Bodin wrote of a woman who used an ointment to leave her bedroom by flying through the air, and during the 18th century, Swedish stories of flying ointment attributed even stronger powers to it, claiming it would even lift items with which it came into contact. A boy at one witch trial said that “If one drop was to hit an animal or object it would immediately fly up into the air”. Of course, most of these reports were suspect and occurred during the height of the witch trials and the actual evidence that these ointments were ever used is pretty scanty. Makes for a great story though!
Cheers and Happy Spring everyone!
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Appendix: Different Herbs and Their Uses
Plantain: The First Aid Herb
Best for: Bug bites, stings, poison ivy, wounds
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, draws out toxins
Plantain is often found growing in backyards and along sidewalks, but it’s a powerful medicinal herb. It’s great for drawing out toxins, venom, and irritants from the skin, making it useful for bee stings, mosquito bites, and poison ivy rashes. It also helps speed up wound healing and reduces irritation.
Lavender: The Soothing Antiseptic
Best for: Burns, bug bites, minor cuts, relaxation
Properties: Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, calming, promotes wound healing
Lavender is well known for its calming aroma, but it’s also a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory herb. It’s particularly useful in salves for treating minor burns, insect bites, and cuts. The soothing scent can also help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
Chamomile: The Gentle Healer
Best for: Sensitive skin, burns, inflammation, eczema
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, soothing, calming, antibacterial
Chamomile is a gentle, skin-soothing herb that’s perfect for sensitive or irritated skin. It has strong anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for eczema, rashes, and sunburns. Chamomile-infused salves are also great for babies and those with delicate skin.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) – The Skin Healer
Best for: Dry skin, wounds, eczema, rashes, burns, diaper rash
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, promotes skin regeneration
Calendula is one of the most commonly used herbs in skincare products due to its powerful skin-healing properties. It’s particularly beneficial for eczema, dermatitis, and minor wounds because it helps reduce inflammation and supports tissue regeneration. Calendula-infused salves are gentle enough for babies and sensitive skin.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) – The Blood Stopper
Best for: Cuts, scrapes, wound healing
Properties: Astringent, antimicrobial, promotes blood clotting
Yarrow has a long history of being used as a wound-healing herb due to its blood-clotting properties. It helps stop bleeding and prevents infections in minor cuts and scrapes. It’s also mildly antibacterial and anti-inflammatory, making it a great first-aid herb.
Arnica (Arnica montana): The Pain Reliever
Best for: Bruises, muscle pain, swelling, sprains
Properties: Anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving, reduces swelling
Arnica is widely used in pain-relief salves and creams for bruises, muscle soreness, and swelling. It helps reduce pain and inflammation, making it a great choice for athletes or anyone with muscle or joint pain. Note: Arnica should not be applied to open wounds.
You can use a single herb or create a blend depending on what you need. Some suggested different herb and oil combinations are the following:
- For dry skin: Calendula + chamomile + lavender + jojoba oil
- For muscle aches: Arnica + cayenne + coconut oil
- For bug bites or poison ivy relief: Plantain + chamomile + lavender
- For cuts, scrapes, minor burns to prevent infection: Calendula + yarrow + plaintain + lavender + olive oil
- For cracked heels or very dry hands: comfrey + calendula + olive oil
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