How to make an herbal healing balm

Comfrey

Begin with an infusion.

In the morning as the dew dries on the Earth, harvest healthy samples of the following:

Comfrey leaves
Calendula blossoms
Lavender blossoms
Plantain leaves
St. John’s wort blossoms & tops
Self heal plants         

You may, instead, use quality dried plants. One of my favorite suppliers for high quality organic herbs and oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. You will find that I recommend this company often. Check them out for all your herbal needs if you can't--or don't want to--grow or wildcraft the herbs yourself.

Assuming you harvested the herbs, spread the plant material across a clean table and let dry for a few hours or overnight (You want the plant material wilted, with little or no moisture left, especially for leaves such as comfrey, which tend to turn rancid quickly with any moisture left in it.) Crush or tear the wilted herbs into small pieces and fill a jar about half way. Pour oil, preferably olive for its long shelf life, over the plants and continue filling jar all the way to the brim. Cover tightly with lid and set in a sunny windowsill for at least two weeks. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth and bottle in a clean, DRY jar.

Calendula

Gather your supplies.

Glass bowl or measuring cup

Digital scale

Clean stainless steel spoon

Double boiler

Clean, soft towels

Sterile jars or tins

Labels

Balm Ingredients

Infused herbal oils

Pure cosmetic grade beeswax

Natural Vitamin E

Tea Tree essential oil

Lavender essential oil (optional)

1. Place the glass measuring cup on scale and weigh 7.5 ounces of infused oil (about 1 cup).  
2. Add .5 (1/2)ounce beeswax. 
3. Place cup in an inch or so of water in a double boiler or other heat-safe container. Melt beeswax slowly over low, even heat. Do not overheat. 
4. Remove from stove and cool for a minute or two. 
5. Stir in one dropper of Vitamin E. 
6. Add 8 drops of Tea Tree essential oil (or a combination of tea tree and Lavender). 
7. Pour immediately into ready jars or tins. 
8. Label and date. Makes app. 9 ounces of healing balm.

This wonderful, gentle balm helps heal minor scrapes, burns and insect bites and stings. It can also be used on baby’s bottom to help clear up diaper rash.

Important: Vitamin E helps prevent oxidation. It adds many weeks to the shelf life of your valuable oils. Vitamin E is not a preservative, however, and it cannot prevent spoilage if ANY moisture enters the product. Keep container cool and dry. Always use clean, dry fingertips to dip into balm. Under optimal conditions (cool, dry and clean), you can expect your all-natural herbal healing balm to last several months up to a year.