An herbal first aid salve that will BLOW you away!

In the realm of natural remedies, herbal salves stand out as versatile and effective solutions for a variety of skin ailments. Whether dealing with scrapes, stings, cuts, or bruises, an herbal first aid salve can provide immediate relief and promote healing. This guide delves into the benefits of each herb used in our first aid salve—plantain, yarrow, calendula, lavender, and comfrey—and explains why an herbal salve is a must-have in your home apothecary.

Why Use an Herbal Salve?

Herbal salves offer a natural and holistic approach to skin care and first aid. Unlike commercial ointments that may contain synthetic ingredients and preservatives, herbal salves are made from plant-based oils and beeswax, providing nourishment and healing properties directly from nature. Here are some key benefits:

1. Natural Healing Properties: Herbs have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. Each herb in our salve has unique benefits that promote skin health and healing.
2. Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial: Many herbs have natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, which help reduce swelling, prevent infection, and speed up the healing process.
3. Soothing and Moisturizing: Herbal salves are rich in natural oils that soothe irritated skin and provide essential moisture, helping to repair damaged skin tissues.
4. Chemical-Free: Using an herbal salve ensures that you are avoiding potentially harmful chemicals found in many over-the-counter first aid products.

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The Herbs for Infusing

1. Plantain (Plantago major)

Benefits for the Skin:

• Anti-inflammatory: Plantain is known for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties, which help reduce swelling and redness in skin irritations.
• Antimicrobial: The antimicrobial compounds in plantain can prevent infections in cuts and scrapes.
• Wound Healing: Rich in allantoin, plantain promotes cell regeneration and accelerates the healing of wounds.

First Aid Applications: Plantain is particularly effective for treating insect bites, stings, and minor wounds. Its ability to draw out toxins and reduce pain makes it an essential ingredient in any first aid salve.

2. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)

Benefits for the Skin:

• Astringent: Yarrow helps tighten skin tissues and reduces bleeding from minor cuts and abrasions.
• Anti-inflammatory: It helps soothe inflammation and reduces swelling.
• Antimicrobial: Yarrow’s antimicrobial properties help prevent infections.

First Aid Applications: Yarrow is a powerful herb for stopping bleeding and aiding in the rapid healing of cuts and wounds. Its astringent and antimicrobial qualities make it ideal for first aid salves.

3. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Benefits for the Skin:

• Anti-inflammatory: Calendula soothes irritated skin and reduces inflammation.
• Antiseptic: It helps prevent infections and promotes healthy skin regeneration.
• Healing: Calendula is known for its ability to promote the healing of wounds and reduce scarring.

First Aid Applications: Calendula is excellent for treating cuts, scrapes, and burns. Its gentle, soothing properties make it suitable for sensitive skin and effective in reducing the appearance of scars.

4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Benefits for the Skin:

• Antiseptic and Antimicrobial: Lavender helps prevent infections and promotes clean, healthy skin.
• Anti-inflammatory: It reduces inflammation and soothes irritated skin.
• Calming: The calming properties of lavender help alleviate pain and discomfort.

First Aid Applications: Lavender is widely used for its antiseptic and soothing properties, making it perfect for treating burns, cuts, and insect bites. Its calming scent also helps reduce stress and promote relaxation during the healing process.

5. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

Benefits for the Skin:

• Wound Healing: Comfrey contains allantoin, which promotes cell regeneration and accelerates wound healing.
• Anti-inflammatory: It reduces inflammation and helps soothe bruised and injured tissues.
• Moisturizing: Comfrey helps keep the skin hydrated and prevents dryness.

First Aid Applications: Comfrey is particularly effective for bruises, sprains, and minor fractures. Its ability to promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation makes it a crucial component of any first aid salve.

How to make First Aid Salve

You Will Need:

• 1 quart glass jar with lid
• Approximately 1/3 cup each of dried plantain, yarrow, calendula, comfrey and lavender.
• Vodka
• Avocado oil
• Fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth or cotton cloth
• Beeswax, pastilles or grated from a block
• Double boiler
• Jelly jar, tins or other vessels for the finished salve

Instructions:

• Add all herbs to your clean glass jar.
• Add enough vodka to dampen the herbs, cap with lid and let sit for 8-12 hours.
• After 8-12 hours, open jar and add avocado oil to the very top of the jar and cap.
• Using your dehydrator, place jar inside and turn on temperature to 100-110 (37-49°C) degrees.
• Stir or shake several times per day for 2-3 days.
• After 2-3 days, using a fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or cotton cloth, strain the oil into the bowl of your double boiler. I use a regular sauce pot filled 1/3 with water and a glass bowl, so I would strain into the glass bowl.
• Gently heat the double boiler on medium heat and add your beeswax. You’ll need approximately 1/4 cup of beeswax to every 1 cup of oil. This is approximate because the consistency of your salve is your preference. More beeswax creates a harder salve and less creates a softer salve. You will find out which you prefer and know going forward how much beeswax to add. This is a good time to make notes in your herbal journal of your findings and preferences.
• Stir frequently.
• Once the beeswax is melted, pour the mixture into your prepared vessels. Make sure to pick tins or jars that you can easily get your hand into if they are large.
• Let this sit on your counter with the lids off until the salves harden. Cap and store in a cool dry place for about a year.

A few tips

• Use clean tools and jars while making the salve. This helps extend it’s shelf life.
• Use clean hands when using your salves each time. This will also extend shelf life.
• If your salve turns out too hard, put it back in your double boiler and add more oil if you have it.
• If you salve turns out too soft, add it back to your double boiler and add more beeswax.
• You want to fill your jar, to make the infused oil part, about half way up the jar inside. If 1/3 cup of each herb is too much, or too little, add or subtract.
• Have FUN making salves. This does not have to be perfect! As you learn, do, and experiment, it will get easier and you will gain confidence.

Putting it all together

Incorporating an herbal first aid salve into your natural medicine cabinet is a wise choice for those seeking effective, chemical-free solutions for skin ailments. The combined benefits of plantain, yarrow, calendula, lavender, and comfrey create a powerful remedy for scrapes, stings, cuts, and bruises. By harnessing the healing properties of these herbs, you can provide your skin with the care it deserves, naturally.

What salves will you be making? Tell me in the comments below! Tag me on Instagram @herbanfarmstead with your creations, I LOVE to see them.

If you’d like to learn more about herbal infused oils, check this post out here, and you can read more about herbal salves in this post. See you in the comments!