Autumn Salve
by Cathy Gileadi January 1, 1999
I make this ointment every year when all the herbs are on. Then I give it as Christmas gifts, with a nice little label showing all the ingredients. YOu can use this ointment for everything-any kind of skin wound or abra-sion, dry skin, lip balm, and as a facial cream. This is a minimum recipe. Just increase it as many times as you like. 1 cup olive oil Herbs from your garden and from the wild: Comfrey, plantain, calendula, lavender, marshmallow, pine needles, yarrow, chamomile, whatever you can find that's good for skin 2 ounces beeswax Essential oils as desired; I always use lavender and/or lemon Warm the oil and place the herbs in it. Allow to simmer very gently for a couple of hours till the herbs are starting to get crispy. Strain through a fine stainless steel mesh strainer and return to pot. Add beeswax and melt. Remove from heat and stir in essential oils. Stir and cool, till it barely starts to thicken. Pour into clean jars. Allow to cool. Label. This is a very simple recipe, but everyone loves my Autumn Salve.