ReMARKable Farms: Using Beeswax and Herbal Salves

In the Kitchen

In the fall, after growing and drying herbs and flowers, I like to make up some herbal infused oils. Then, I use these oils to make salves. It is relatively easy to make an infused oil. All you need is some dried herbs and a carrier oil. I usually just use olive oil. Place the dried herbs in a jar and then pour the oil in and make sure to cover all the herbs. Also, make sure that the herbs are super dry. If there is any moisture in them, they may cause you oil to go rancid. Here is a jar of dried calendula flower petals...

I added the oil. Make sure all the herb/flower is covered by the oil. Then, let it sit for 6 weeks.

Strain and you have an herbal in fused oil! I used some of this calendula oil to make an antibacterial ointment salve for the chickens and ducks.

To turn your infused oil into a salve, you need to add something to "thicken" it up. You can add beeswax to do this! For every 8 ounces of oil, add 1-ounce beeswax (by weight). Beeswax has its own medicinal properties! Click on pic to read more about beeswax...we use beeswax from the bees on our farm!

Here is a pic of the calendula oil and pieces of beeswax in a make shift double boiler. Then, once all the beeswax is melted, you stir it well and pour into containers.

I use the calendula oil to make a Wound Healing Salve...

This infographic explains some of the benefits of calendula. If you click on the pic, it will take you to an article about calendula. I like it mostly for its antimicrobial properties. We use it on minor cuts and scrapes. Also, I had a pain in my shoulder and rubbed some in and it really helped the pain to go away...maybe that was its anti-inflammatory properties working...

I also make a comfrey salve in the same way with dried comfrey leaves. Comfrey has been used in traditional medicine for at least 2000 years. It is also called bone knit or knitbone because of its amazing healing properties. Comfrey is used to heal injuries such as sprains, strains, bruises, and burns. You should NOT use comfrey on puncture wounds or the surface will heal too fast, not allowing the deeper puncture to heal properly.