Healing Salves at Health 360

Last week at Health 360, we learned how to make a healing herbal salve with comfrey and calendula. Anit, who runs a Brooklyn herbal apothecary called Mullein and Sparrow (www.mulleinandsparrow.com), shared her knowledge and showed us how to make this delicious-smelling ointment with just a few ingredients and a couple easy steps. Anit says that herbal salves are useful in treating burns, bruises, cuts and infections, making them a must-have item for every herbal medicine cabinet. You can try it at home, too!

Comfrey/Calendula Salve

1 cup olive oil

1 oz dried calendula flowers*

1 oz dried comfrey leaves**

2 ozs beeswax

Lavender essential oil

 

Heat the olive oil in a pan. Put in the dried herbs and let simmer for 20 minutes.

After 20 minutes, strain the herbs from the oil and put the oil back in the pan.

Add the beeswax- keep on low heat until beeswax is completely melted.

Remove from heat,add lavender essential oil and pour into containers.

Let it cool before using.

 

*Calendula is a plant extract that has been used throughout history in skin preparations. Calendula is beneficial for dry or damaged skin and also promotes the fast healing and regeneration of the skin because of its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Applying calendula topically is effective for decreasing inflammation and promoting the healing of wounds, burns, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions.

**Comfrey salves, ointments and teas are best know for the topical treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, ea and insect bites, and just about any skin irritation. Comfrey’s astringent tannins form a protective surface over wounds that promotes healing.