The basic step for making salve from an oil is, 1 cup oil to 1 cup beeswax. Once your herbal oil is ready, return it to a double boiler and add the beeswax. Heat until beeswax is melted. You can add in a variety of extras; several drops of Tea Tree Oil, with Vitamin E or A, or even use a little cocoa butter in place of beeswax. Just remember the ratio of solid to liquid. Play with it. If you find the salve is too runny for you, add more beeswax. If it is hard, add a little more oil. If you plan on this salve lasting for months, Tea Tree Oil acts as a natural preservative, but you may also add a few drops of Vitamin E.
Now a word on which type of oil to use. For medicinal purposes, I like olive oil best. It usually lasts the longest. Some other alternatives are wheat germ oil or castor oil. Look for oils that are expeller pressed. This means the oils were extracted without the use of solvents. If you are making a cosmetic salve, try the lighter oils such as apricot kernel, almond, jojoba, or coconut.
Make salves with these herbs for the following conditions
Bruises:
Arnica ( Arnica montana) do not ingest
Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale) do not ingest
Burns:
First degree: only the outermost layer of skin
Second degree: usually blisters and penetrates more deeply into the skin.
Third degree: seek medical assistance immediately!
Lavender ( lavandula)
Gota Kola ( Centella asiatica)
For burns use any of the herbs above, or try the following salve
Burn Salve: 5 oz raw unpasteurized honey mixed with 1 oz Tea Tree Oil and 1 teaspoon grapefruit seed extract.
Sores:
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Comfrey ( Symphytum officinale)
Camomile ( Matricaria recutita)
Making an Herbal Oil
The first step in making a salve is to make an Herbal Oil
- Powder the herbs, and place them in a ½ gallon glass jar. Cover herbs with oil, about two to three inches. Let sit in sun for 2 weeks, agitating every day.
- Place powdered herbs in the top of a double boiler. And cover with oil
about three inches. Warm the mixture for 45 minutes, and stir as you feel necessary.
For stronger infusions, let herbs steep overnight.
- Strain the oil to remove the herbs. A piece of tightly bound cheesecloth works well.
- 4. NOTE: If using fresh herbs, follow the previous instructions, but let the herb oil sit for an additional 2 weeks after straining. This allows the oil and water from the fresh herbs to separate. Use baster to remove water.
“ After using Tea Tree Oil in my busy herbalist/naturopath practice (it) works really well with the herpes simplex blisters..it replaces antibiotic powders.”
~Herbal Practitioner, Australia