• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

6. Remove the mixture from the heat and dip a metal spoon (or like instrument) into the warm mixture.

7. Place this spoon into a freezer, a refrigerator, or the coldest spot available, so that the salve sample will cool quickly.

8. When cool, the salve will have hardened on the spoon, allowing you to test its firmness without waiting for the entire pan of salve to harden. If the sample on the spoon is too soft for your purposes, add a little more wax to the pan of warm salve; if the sample is too hard, add a little more of the oil infusion.

9. Repeat the teaspoon test until your salve consistency is perfectly suited to your purposes.

10. Pour the liquid salve from the pan into appropriate containers, and let it cool and harden.

There is no other wax as precious and excellent as that which the bees make for us. The high chemistry of its fine texture, subtle aroma, and soft golden hues is yet another mark of perfection inherent to the varied skills of these master herbalists. Send the apiarian workers and their fecund queens your gratitude while making salves, lotions, and creams. In nature’s way, they’ll appreciate your regard.

VEGETABLE LARD VEGAN SALVE

Pure commercial vegetable lard is a sterile medium composed of hydrogenated soybean and palm oils. Vegetable lard hardens at room temperature, making it acceptable when a salve is needed quickly. Lard has the immediate advantage of requiring no beeswax for hardening. Using the lard as a catalyst to draw out the value of fresh cut or dried herbs is quite appropriate for immediate use, since with no lengthy storage time spoilage will not be a factor. Actually, hydrogenated oils, although considered by many nutritionists to be unwholesome food for many reasons, are less likely to go rancid than unhydrogenated vegetable oils. That works for us here.

1. Gather either freshly cut or dried herbs. Have the fresh herbs chopped and ready. It is okay if they wilt. Use approximately 1 cup chopped fresh herb to 1 cup vegetable lard. Crush or powder the dry herbs as much as possible. Use approximately 1/2 cup powdered dry herb to 1 cup lard.

2. Melt the lard in a saucepan over low heat. Leave the pot uncovered throughout the preparation, so the lard will not overheat and some of the fresh herb’s water content can evaporate.

3. As soon as the lard is melted, carefully stir in the herbs.

4. Allow the herbs to steep in the lard over low heat (deep-frying them is a big mistake).

5. Stir the herbs periodically to determine when they have surrendered their properties to the oil, approximately 1 hour.

6. When satisfied that the decoction is completed, remove the pot from the heat and pour the contents into a cotton-muslin lined wire strainer.

7. Strain out the liquid salve, pour into jar, cap, and let it cool.

Be careful when heating lard; it can ignite when it gets very hot.

Do not use plastic containers to store any medium that contains volatile oils; the oils will eat the plastic over time.

PETROLEUM JELLY AROMATIC SALVE (A BALM)

Clear, unmedicated petroleum jelly is a sterile inorganic medium that, when applied, is not absorbed into the skin. It can therefore act merely as a carrier for volatile oils. Commercial petroleum jelly (Vaseline® is a brand name) is easily attained. This is an excellent substance to use for quickly preparing an essential oil carrier that can be applied into the nostrils in a small amount. Antiseptic, decongestive essential oils can be inhaled this way during the day to relieve nasal and upper respiratory congestion.

Some appropriate essential oils to use for antiseptic and decongestant properties are Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Pine, Peppermint, Cypress, and Lavender.

Note:

• Have paper towels ready—this stuff is sticky.

• A “square-handled” chopstick is a very handy tool for manipulating this medium.

• Two level tablespoonsful of petroleum jelly fill a small 1 fl. oz. (30 ml) salve jar perfectly.

• 30–50 drops of any combination of the above essential oils is a good amount to add to each 1 fl. oz.