Category Archives: Herbs

Making healing salves

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This past summer was a fabulous year for St. John’s Wort. Not only was it abundant, it kept blooming throughout the summer. So of course, I made St. John’s Wort infused oil. Today, I made St. John’s Wort healing salve. It is one of my favorite salves. It brings relief from nerve pain and has anti-inflammatory properties, which help cells regenerate.  After massaging the salve into a painful area, you feel relief within 10 minutes. I’ve used it on backaches, sore muscles, bruises, shingles and my son’s growing pains with wonderful results, it even reduces the pain my Mom experiences from neuropathy. I just love it!

Making a salve is very easy. All you need is herb infused oil, beeswax, vitamin e, Mason jar, saucepan, and a chopstick.wax melting in oil

Ingredients

6oz. Infused oil

1oz. Bees wax

Vitamin E capsule

  1. In a mason jar, add infused oil and beeswax. To facilitate wax melting, it is best to break into little pieces or grate it.

  2. Put jar in a saucepan with about 2 inches of water. Boil water. (double boiler method)

  3. Stir oil/wax as it is melting with chopstick.

  4. Once the wax has melted completely, check consistency by dipping a teaspoon into the mixture and place it in the freezer for one minute. If it is too soft, add more beeswax or too hard, add more oil.wax on spoon

  5. Once you have the right consistency remove from heat and add the contents of a vitamin e capsule (it helps preserve the salve) and stir into the oil/beeswax mixture.

  6. Immediately pour into small jar.jars of salve

  7. Label jar with plant name, oil, beeswax, vitamin e, date and uses.

Now you are all set when a sore muscle or strain presents itself.

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

 

 

Golden Honey

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november bee

I couldn’t believe my eyes, while walking the land the other day, ~ I spotted some Goldenrod (Solidago spp.) blossoms! It was quite remarkable considering it was early November. The pollinators were happy too. It was a rather brisk day and the little guys were hanging out on the blossoms, though a little sluggish; actually they were barely moving. I decided to take just a couple blossoms to infuse into honey, since I wanted to leave most of them for the pollinators, as they needed to load up for the long winter ahead.

Goldenrod and raw honey are a winning combination. Goldenrod has antiseptic, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties, while raw honey contain propolis, a compound that can kill bacteria. Combined they make a very soothing remedy for scratchy and sore throats. Goldenrod infused honey is also useful for reducing congestion and postnasal drip from a bad cold.

Goldenrod honey is very easy to make and as we approach cold and flu season it is a wonderful addition to anyone’s apothecary.

How to make Goldenrod Honey:

  1. Collect fresh Goldenrod blossoms (when collecting any herb, make sure the area hasn’t been sprayed with chemicals and is not growing along roadways)
  2. Separate the florets
  3. Fill clean/dry jar ¼ – ½ with blossoms.
  4. Fill jar with raw honey (I prefer a light honey like apple blossom or wildflower).
  5. Fill sauce pan with about 2 inches of water.
  6. Put jar of herbal honey in pot of water (double-boiler method).
  7. Simmer water, temperature should never get higher than 110° as it will kill the medicinal qualities of the raw honey.
  8. Stir honey with a chopstick to disperse blossoms in honey.

warm goldenrod and honeySome people strain the blossoms out before eating but I leave them in and take pleasure in the herbs along with the honey.

golden honeyTake a spoonful for a sore throat or add to tea. YUM!

All information is shared for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.