DIY: First Aid Salve

You’ve got to try this DIY first aid salve.  (It’s one my favorite salves, next to my sore muscle salve, which we use a ton.)

A little while ago, my daughter got to go hiking with her grandparents.  They spent quite a bit of time outdoors, and she came back with a slight sunburn — I’d forgotten to send my all-natural gentle sunscreen salve with her, oops!

When she arrived home, I got out this DIY first aid salve and put it on her burn.  She said it really helped.

Then my father-in-law mentioned he had a bit of a cut or something that was bothering him, and asked if he could try it.  I handed it over.  He liked it so much he asked if I had one he could take home!

A couple weeks later, a late evening playing in the backyard led to several mosquito bites.  DIY First aid salve to the rescue!  With one application, the bites didn’t itch for a full 24 hours, and after a second application, they didn’t itch at all and healed quickly.

We regularly use this on small cuts, scrapes, minor burns, bumps, and any other little injury or mishap that occurs.  The kids always ask for it when they get hurt.

This was one of our projects at our local “DIY Night” back in April, and several of my friends have told me they use theirs all the time, too.

Since it’s easy to make, I’m sharing it with you!

**If you don’t want to make your own, buy some in our store!**

Why It Works

This DIY first aid salve is a combination of two important oils and a few key herbs.

Olive oil is super nourishing and soothing, and is healing to the skin.  Castor oil dries out the skin a bit, and helps to gently draw out impurities.  Dandelion is a mild pain reliever, and also nourishing and healing for skin.  Lavender is soothing and healing.  Calendula is also soothing and healing.  Beeswax keeps it all together!

I am not sure if you can buy dandelion flowers or not.  I dried quite a bit from my yard this year when they were in season.  I love dandelion season!

When I was making this, I poured some of it into tiny lip balm tubes (like these) and I keep one in my purse all the time.  I also have given a few to friends to try.  It’s pretty neat!

**If you don’t want to make your own, buy some in our store!**

DIY First Aid Salve

Ingredients:

• 2 oz. olive oil (buy here)
• 2 oz. castor oil (buy here)
• 1 tbsp. dandelion flowers (I dried my own from my yard)
• 1 tbsp. lavender (buy here)
• 1/2 tbsp. calendula (buy here)
• 2 tbsp. beeswax (buy here)
• 1 4-oz. tin (buy here)

Directions:

Step 1: Mix the oils and all of the herbs (everything except beeswax) in a clean glass jar.

Step 2: Put the jar in a cool, dark place for 6 weeks; OR place it in a saucepan of hot water.  The water should come up the sides of the jar high enough to cover the oils and herbs, but not high enough to get into the jar.  Turn the stove on low so the water is gently steaming (not boiling) for 1 – 2 hours.

Step 3: When the oil is infused, pour it through a piece of cheesecloth or an old dish towel, and squeeze to strain out all the oil.  Reserve the oil and discard the herbs.

Step 4: Add the beeswax to the infused oil in a clean jar.  Place the jar in a saucepan of warm water on low-medium heat and allow it to sit until the beeswax is melted.  Stir or swirl gently so it’s all mixed.

Step 5: Pour the hot salve into a 4-oz. tin, or 2 2-oz. tins.  (Or whatever combination you want to equal 4 oz. total — 4 1-oz, 8 1/2-oz, 1 2-oz. + 2 1-oz. + 2 1/2-oz. and so on)  Let the salve cool completely before putting on the lid or moving it.

To use: Rub a small amount of first aid salve on any wound, burn, etc.  Do not use if the wound is deep or serious (but you know that, right?).

**If you don’t want to make your own, buy some in our store!**

Have you ever used DIY first aid salve before?