GREEN SALVE MAGIC

What is it??
There is nothing better, that I have found or created, for skin issues, than Green Salve. We make it in large batches because we use it up so quick. It's a mixture of oils that not only moisturizes, but heals and regenerates tissue. It's not like lotion, which is water based.

My girlfriend, Camille, taught me how to make it when I was 23 and I didn't realize it's value at the time, because I hadn't had kids yet. Now that I have gone through 3 diaper wearing beauties, I am addicted. If my little sweeties got a diaper rash I would deal with it immediately. I would change them and wash the affected area. Then I would let them air, and preferably, sun dry. And when their bottoms were completely dry I would lather them with Green Salve and diaper them up again. It was ALWAYS gone by the next changing! Awesome lovin!

Now that the kids are grown we still use about 2 oz/ mo. It cures cuts, bruises, dry skin, sunburn, and about any other skin issue that you can think of.

What's in it??

The recipe is simple, although I don't have measurements because that's not how I cook, let alone herbalize.

You will need:

Comfrey leaves (or/and Plantain, Lavender, or other skin loving herbs)

Vitamin E oil

Essential oils of your choosing (Lavender works wonders! http://www.youngliving.com....they/ are the best, but cheaper versions can be found at the link below.)

Beeswax (I try to buy from local bee keepers, but again, it's sometimes about convenience.

Containers to put it in. I order mine in bulk, but you can use artichoke heart jars or little canning jars. They work great, as long as they have wide mouths.

How do I make it??

First step is to harvest (or buy: http://starwest-botanicals.com/) some Comfrey. This stuff grows all over the place...well, where I live in Idaho, anyway. In Europe it's referred to as "bone knit" for it's amazing capabilities to heal fractures. Because of it's skin regeneration properties, make sure your wound is very clean before putting it on, because it could trap dirt or infection in. This is also why essential oils are so...essential. :) They have anti-bacterial properties.

(A perfect replacement for comfrey is hounds tongue, or as we in the Salmon River Canyon call them, hitch hiker burrs. Harvest it BEFORE the nasty little, shoe lace clinging, burr is formed and the fuchsia colored flowers are in bloom.)

I use fresh herbs, if in season. But, if not, the dried will do just fine.

I put the herbs in a pot and cover them with olive oil. Then I steep them ON A DOUBLE BOILER (or in my case, a small pot on top of a big pot, with a metal plate for a lid!) for about 3 hrs. I take this time to get out all of my other supplies or feed small children that, "Just want to help, Mommy!" Of course, there is always a job for the girls when we make salve, no matter how old they are!~

After the oil is done, I strain it with a cheesecloth to get out the fine whiskery bits of the leaves. I discard the leaves into the compost (after I squeeze the ever living life out of them to get every last drop of lovely oil.)

Next comes the beeswax. The best stuff comes in big golden, honey smelling chunks. It's pretty much a pain in the butt to grate it...and your grater is NEVER the same, but you want it in small pieces so it will melt faster. So I use a big knife and cut it into little chunks.

The ratio I use is about 1 part beeswax, 2 parts oil. Then, I add a couple tablespoons of Vitamin E and essential oil enough to make it smell good.

You stir this mix of oil and wax on your DOUBLE BOILER until it is all melted and beautiful. I always dip a spoon in and then hold it in the freezer for a minute to see what its consistency is. If I like it, I pour it into my jugs, jars, bottles, or tins. Let it cool before putting on the lids and.....

Wala! You've got yourself magic in a jar!

Happy creating and don't forget to make enough to share with new Mommies! There are always babies that need happy bottoms!

I want the salve without the work!!

I sell my versions of this salve, known as Doc. Hollon's Must-Have-Salve. I will soon be distributing it at the Banana Co. on main street Riggins, and other various locations! Just email me at shoshannahhollon@yahoo.com and I will send you some!