Herbal Ointments

A good all-purpose ointment is an essential in any household. You want one
that will reduce swollen tissues, fight bacteria, stop bleeding and soothe
pain. Here is a list of common herbs that fall in each category:

Emollients to soften and soothe: calendula, chickweed (itching), comfrey,
mallow, slippery elm, mullein, plantain.

Antiseptics to help to kill/avoid infection: calendula, echinacea,
eucalyptus, tea tree, yarrow, wormwood, violet, thyme

Astringents to reduce swollen tissue: nettle, plantain, raspberry leaf, St.
John's wort, sage, strawberry (leaves), thyme, willow bark/leaves, yarrow,
witch hazel, yellow dock

Choose a combination of one herb or more herbs from each category. This
combination will prevent sepsis, ease pain, reduce the formation of scar
tissue, speed up the healing time and can be used anywhere a salve is needed
to coat and protect.

Useful single herb ointments are:
Comfrey for use on bruises, sprains, strains and to accelerate healing of
fractures, cuts, ulcers and wounds. Calendula as a prime first aid remedy
for
wounds, cuts, sores, abrasions, sore nipples, ulcers, sprains and to reduce
inflammation and pain from measles and chicken pox spots. Chickweed for
psoriasis, eczema and itching spots

The Healing Ointment recipe following is a mixed herb ointment for general
use. The tincture of benzoin is used for its healing and preservative
properties and other tinctures can be chosen for the effect you want.

The first step is to make a quantity of Infused Oil that can be used in
massage oils, facial preparations, baths and ointments.

Healing Ointment

10-12 grams (12 level teaspoons) finely grated, firmly packed beeswax 80g
anhydrous (no water added) lanolin (from pharmacy) 4-5 tablespoons
(80-100ml)
infused oils of you choice (see above) 1 teaspoon tincture of myrrh 1
teaspoon tincture of benzoin 2 teaspoons (10ml) tincture of calendula 80
drops mixed tea -tree, rosemary and lavender essential oils or oils of your
choice.

1. Melt the beeswax over a very low light taking care not to overheat (I use
a double boiler for this).

2. Add the lanolin, stir until melted.

3. Slowly add the infused oil, don't re-harden the wax. Take off heat, cool
slightly until the outside of the pan is just a little hotter than hand
heat.
4. Mix together the tinctures and essential oil and add slowly while
stirring
thoroughly to incorporate until there are no drops of liquid to be seen and
the mixture is just beginning to thicken.

5. Pour into jars. Place lids on immediately. Leave without moving until
cold.