We have just discovered a wonderful ointment recipe which makes use of all-natural ingredients that promise immediate soothing effects to burns and other light wounds. The powerhouse ingredients of this wonder recipe include olive oil, wormwood, marshmallow root, comfrey, witch hazel bark and (of course) raw honey. The blend of these natural ingredients should make this ointment very beneficial in the treatment of chapped lips and skin, minor cuts and scrapes, rashes, sunburns and first to second degree burns.
Here is a rundown of some of the ingredients used in the recipe:
Herbal raw honey ointment…nothing is as powerful to encourage skin healing like raw honey! Combined with medicinal herbs and bursting with antibacterial and antiseptic properties, this ointment is a must-have in everyone’s first aid kit.
Just wait until you try it! One use is all you need in order to see its’ amazing effects…you won’t want to be without it.
And a little goes a long way.
Benefits of the Ingredients
The beauty of making our own medicinal salves at home is the ability we possess to control the ingredients. I will share with you my recipe, but as always…feel free to let your creativity and wisdom regarding medicinal herbs guide you.
This honey-based ointment’s powerhouse ingredients include…
- Olive oil. Full of vitamins A, D, E and K, olive oil nourishes the skin for fast healing.
- Comfrey. Encourages the reproduction of cells therefore working to support the mending of sprains, bruises, swellings, burns and sores.
- Marshmallow root. A wonderful anti-inflammatory herb that will also soften and soothe the skin. Likewise, it’s great for burn and wound healing as it contains large amounts of zinc and vitamin A.
- Wormwood. Reduces the effects of soreness and pain.
- Witch hazel bark. It’s anti-inflammatory and astringent properties are excellent for treatment of blisters, burns, cuts and wounds.
- Raw, all-natural honey. Raw honey provides the base of this ointment and is a well-known antibacterial agent. Honey is also highly nourishing, often reducing the risk for infection and scarring.
…and we use it for the treatment of:
-1st or 2nd degree skin burns
-Rashes
-Sunburns
-Minor wounds
-Chapped skin and lips
The Recipe
Ingredients
-1/4 ounce of each dried comfrey, marshmallow root, wormwood, and witch hazel bark*
-1 1/4 cup olive oil
-4 ounces raw honey*
-1-2 ounces beeswax*
*All measurements are by weight and use of a simple kitchen scale.
Method
1. Weigh the dried herbs using a kitchen scale.
2. Prepare the oil infusion. You can do this one of three ways:
- Cold Infusion.In a glass mason jar, cover the weighed herbs with 1 ¼ cup of oil. Stir to combine, and allow oil and herb mixture to steep for 4-6 weeks.
- Hot Oil Extract. In a glass mason jar, cover the herbs with 1 ¼ cup of oil. Stir to combine. Place the glass jar in a pot on the stove, or in a crock pot, filled with a few inches of water on lowest setting (Be sure to put a towel on the bottom of the pot.). Infuse the oil and herbs for 4-8 hours, a day, or up to 3 days. Note: Watch the pot and add water as it evaporates.
- Alternatively. According to Rosemary Gladstar, you may also do it this way; “Place the herbs and the oil in a double boiler and bring to a low simmer. Slowly heat for 30 to 60 minutes, checking frequently to be sure the oil is not overheating.”
3. Strain the oil and herb infusion through a cheesecloth. Squeezing to extract as much oil as possible. Be sure you collect at least 1 cup of herb infused oil.
4. In a saucepan, over very low heat, melt 1-2 ounces (depending on how thick you’d like your salve) of beeswax. I suggest starting with the lesser amount of wax and adding more if needed. Note: To check if the mixture is the right consistency, because the salve hardens as it cools, Rosemary Gladstar again suggests placing a “tablespoon of the mixture in the freezer for just a minute or two. If it’s soft, add more beeswax; if too hard, add more oil.”
5. Allow salve to cool on the counter. As it hardens, begin to stir with an electric stick blender until creamy and smooth.
6. Continue to stir with stick blender until salve is cooled to approximately 90-100 degrees fahrenheit. Then add raw honey. Blend well.
7. Pour ointment into storage containers . Will keep for a year when stored in a cool, dark place.
To use: Apply directly to a clean burn, blister, or wound and bandage as you normally would.
