Marshmallow Salve

Salves are one of the simplest ways to provide the healing power of plants to the skin.  A salve is a combination of an infused oil and beeswax.  The oil delivers the plant’s benefits while the beeswax provides protection and is soothing to the skin.  The amount of beeswax determines the firmness of the salve.  Based on personal preference, more beeswax will yield a harder salve so then less beeswax results in a softer salve.

I made this marshmallow and Purification salve for first aid purposes.  I infused organic olive oil with marshmallow from my garden then added the Purification essential oil blend from Young Living.

Marshmallow has wonderful skin healing properties, and the Purification provided added benefits and made it smell great too.  I took a small jar with me on my family vacation to the Jersey shore recently.  I used it for one daughter’s sunburned cheeks, another’s cut toe, and an abrasion on the back of my leg from my roller skating knee pad.

For my salve recipes, I usually combine 1/4 cup beeswax to 1 cup of oil.  My oil of choice is organic olive oil.  I gently melt the beeswax into the oil on my stove top with the burner set to the lowest setting.  I use a designated pot I purchased at a second hand store.  A double boiler would also work well for this process.

Once the beeswax is completely melted, I remove the pot from the heat, allow it to cool slightly, and then add in the essential oils if I am using them.  A great way to check the consistency of your salve is to place a small amount on a metal spoon and then place it in the freezer for a minute or two.  Depending on the result, add more beeswax or oil as needed to make it softer or harder.  Then I pour the salve in to metal tins or small jars and allow it to harden before capping.

To make and infused oil:

• In a clean and dry glass jar, add the dried herbs of choice

  

• Fill the jar with oil until it rises 2 inches above the herb
• Allow the jar to sit in a sunny spot for 2-3 weeks, gently shaking the jar daily
• Strain out the herbs (cheesecloth works well or a strainer)
• You now have your oil to use in your salve!

Purchase a wide variety of containers from SKS Bottle and Packaging company.

Purchase quality essential oils from Young Living.