BLACK WALNUT HULLS - (Juglans nigra ) Antifungal. Use for athletes foot and other fungal infections, parasites, abscesses, and boils.
CALENDULA - ( Calendula officinalis ) This species of marigold is often cultivated in gardens. Calendula helps to soothe inflamed tissues, reduce pain and aids in quick healing of cuts and abrasions.
CHAPARRAL - ( Larrea divaricata ) Antibiotic and antiseptic. Useful against bacteria, viruses, parasites, and warts. Relieves itching of eczema, scabies and dandruff. Native Americans used chaparral to treat cancer.
CHICKWEED - ( Stellaria media ) Cooling, antiseptic herb used to treat inflammations, relieve itching, blisters, boils, and abscesses. Fresh plant is edible in salads or as a cooked green. You can find chickweed growing in your lawn, garden, or meadows.
COMFREY ROOT & LEAF - ( Symphytum officinale ) Prolific plant that is valuable in the treatment of all types of skin, bone, and muscle injuries. Comfrey helps wounds to heal quickly. Use for burns, blisters , broken bones, and inflammations. Used both internally and externally. Comfrey has a soothing effect on any organ it comes in contact with. Also used for respiratory and digestive system disorders.
ECHINACEA - ( Echinacea purpurea or E. angustifolia )This herb is the most widely consumed herb in the world today. It is used internally to activate the immune system when fighting colds and flu, or almost any type of infection. Lesser known is the fact that echinacea is beneficial for many topical applications. Echinacea can be used to treat infected wounds, psoriasis, and eczema. Echinacea stimulates the bodies defenses at the sight of the wound and aids in the development of healthy tissue. Also used as a wash to remove poison ivy oils from the skin. I prefer to use an alcohol based echinacea tincture if I need to remove poison ivy oils from my skin. The root is the most powerful part of the plant. If you want to purchase echinacea for immune stimulation, avoid products that don't contain any root, or ones that do not list the echinacea species on the label. Two species, Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia, are commonly used. Both species are powerful, but it is best to choose E. purpurea because it is the most abundant species. E. angustifolia is becoming rare in the wild. Many people cultivate echinacea in their gardens, commonly known as Purple Coneflower. To avoid further depletion of wild echinacea plants, try to buy only cultivated plants or grow your own.
GOLDENSEAL - ( Hydrastis canadensis )Antiseptic and astringent. Used for cuts, wounds, infections, bites, and stings. Goldenseal is also widely used internally for the treatment of sinus infections and other inflammations of the mucus membranes, including the stomach and intestinal tract. The medicinal part of the plant is the root. Ohio used to be the most abundant habitat for goldenseal but over-harvesting has depleted the wild populations. Goldenseal is now scarce and should not be harvested from the wild. Try to buy goldenseal roots that are cultivated or grow your own if you have a rich woods.
MYRRH - ( Commiphora myrrha )Antiseptic and astringent. Very effective antiseptic used in salves. Combined with goldenseal, myrrh is good for wounds, bedsores, abscesses, and hemorrhoids. Internally, myrrh is used to treat fungal infections, congestion, ulcers, and as a wash for sore gums.
PLANTAIN - ( Plantago spp.) Astringent, antiseptic, and emollient. Plantain helps to relieve pain of insect bites and is a wonderful remedy for cuts, and skin infections. For a quick relief, pick a leaf, chew it and apply it to the insect bite or sting. Plantain is the source of psyllium seeds, a bulk laxative found in many over - the - counter products. Plantain can be found in lawns, meadows, and open woods. Plantain is abundant and can be harvested from the wild.
ST. JOHN'S WORT - ( Hypericum perforatum
) The salve is good for burns, wounds,
bruises, sores, insect bites, fungal
infections such as eczema, and itching.
This is my favorite herb to use in
salves! St. John's Wort is used
internally for the treatment of
depression and is currently being
researched for possible use in the
treatment of AIDS.
St. John's Wort can be harvested from
the wild if you find large patches of
it. I harvest a portion of the flower
head and leave a portion on the plant to
produce seed. If you pick one of the
yellow flowers and rub it between your
fingers it will stain your fingers red!
Animals develop photosensitivity when
they consume St. John's Wort and there
is some evidence that humans consuming
large amounts of the herb may develop
photosensitivity. When using a St.
John's Wort Salve it is best not to use
it before long periods of sun
exposure.
ESSENTIAL OILS:
Essential oils are steam distilled concentrates of the natural oils present in plants, flowers, roots, and trees. They are 100 % pure and must be carefully used by the drop.
CAMPHOR - (Cinnamomum camphora) Used as a congestion clearing inhalant and muscle liniment.
EUCALYPTUS - ( Eucalyptus globulus) Used for rubbing on sore muscles, as an inhalant, and chest rub for colds. Decongestant, antibiotic, antiseptic and antiviral. Used as a topical antiseptic on sores and fungal infections such as ring worm.
TEA TREE OIL - ( melaleuca alternifolia) Very effective fungicide, antibacterial and antiseptic. Michael Tierra, calls Tea Tree Oil, "the first aid kit in a bottle." Use for cuts, pimples, boils, cold sores, burns, stings, ticks, athletes foot and other fungal infections.
WINTERGREEN OIL - ( Gualtheria promcumbens) Use as a salve to rub on sore joints and muscles. Harmful or fatal if taken internally.
Miscellaneous Ingredients:
BEESWAX - A naturally occurring wax produced by bees. Beeswax is used in your salve to solidify the oil. Softens and protects skin.
TINCTURE OF BENZOIN - Benzoin Gum is added to salve to help preserve the oils. You do not want to apply rancid oils to your open cuts! You can obtain tincture of benzoin at a pharmacy, or make your own.
VITAMIN E - Vitamin E also has the ability to preserve fats and aid in the healing of wounds.
OILS - For salve, olive oil is the preferred choice of oil because it is less likely to become rancid. It is better to choose cold pressed oils because they retain some of the nutrients and enzymes. If you plan to make a salve to use specifically on your face, then a light oil is best. Apricot kernel and grapeseed oils are very light.