This salve was one of the first complicated medicinal compounds we created in our studies. My esteemed teacher, JoAnn Sanchez, is owed all the credit in the world for this wonderful healing balm.
This salve can be used as a emollient, as sun protection before and after exposure, for cuts, rashes, as an anti-fungal and to gently promote the healing of skin.
You will need:
- 3 cups olive oil
1/2 cups Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba) oil
2 cups dried Calendula officinalis flowers (calyx removed, please)
2 cups fresh Larrea tridentata (Creosote bush) leaves (and flowers, if available)
20 drops Hypericum perforatum (St. John's Wort) oil
1 cup (better get extra) grated beeswax
Cook the measured herbs in the olive oil, being careful to have below boiling at all times. Stir periodically. After the herbs have changed to the color of the oil or have lost their once vibrant coloration, remove from heat and strain.
Return the strained oil into the cooking pan and add the S. chinensis oil and the Hypericum oil. Turn your burner on a very low setting and slowly add the beeswax. Make sure it's melted completely and well stirred.
To test the consistency, pour a small amount of the oil in to the lid of your container. Blow on the oil to cause it to set firm. If it's too runny, add more beeswax and retest until it reaches the desired consistency. Fill and cap your containers, keeping them upright until they have hardened.
Copyright JoAnn Sanchez, 1999. Slight textual modifications by me, Evo Terra 2002.