New information added December 30th, 2024

How to make salves,

Welcome to the world of healthful plants and herb. There are so many herbs that we use for culinary purposes that also make great teas, poultices, and salves. Also, many common plants are far more useful than we have known. This page is dedicated to sharing more information about these herbs and plant.

I am writing this on December 30th. I have a little time in between the holidays and I am already thinking about what I will grow this year. As an organic gardener, I start early adding things to my soil to give it a good ph balance and make it soft and rich. (See the Backyard Garden Permaculture page of this site),

My favorite herbs are the culinary herbs. Besides making great flavors for my soups, stews and stir-frys, many of them have healing qualities. (See the recipes below). But the different herbs have flowers have different needs for growth. So, I have to keep that in mind as I layout my garden. Some plants are shrubs, some are tall, vines. Most culinary herbs like an acidic soil, but not all.

So, this is the time to start researching information about the various herbs and plants - a fun thing to do in the evening.

**I am not a doctor and this page is not offering medical advice. Please consider what you may be allergic to when using these herbs and plants (for example, I have a friend who is allergic to lavender). That said, most herbs and plants are very safe.

Let's start with something that is easy, quick and uses herbs you are probably familiar with.

Tea

Teas can be made by the cup or using an infuser-type of teapot.

Use the leaves and flowers of organic herbs and pour in some boiling water, usually 1 or 2 teaspoons herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. You have to experiment a bit to find the strength you like. Strain off the liquid and drink once it has cooled down enough not to burn your mouth or lips.

Here are some teas I have made.

For indigestion, I place equal amounts of some or all of these herbs into an infuser teapot or even put them loose in a cup: basil, thyme, marjoram, peppermint, fennel, chamomile, lemon grass, sage and rosemary. Add boiling water and let the herbs steep for 30 minutes (or less if you want your tea to be very mild). When cool enough, strain the liquid off the herbs, add a touch of honey and drink.

For upset stomach, I make a tea with fresh or dried peppermint.

For headache, I make a tea with 1/4 part peppermint leaves to 3/4 parts chamomile flowers.

If I feel anxious or irritable, I make a tea with marjoram leaves.

Rosemary help my memory and mental clarity.

Chamomile relaxes me.

Strawberry leaf tea soothes sore throats

Sage tea is great for laryngitis.

How to Make a Salve

Salves have different ingredients that do different things. For example, Calendula petals help restore skin cells so I use it on dark spots and scrapes. Chamomile is full of anti-oxidents and that helps with wrinkles.

But the basic ingredients of a salve are the same: oil (I use olive oil), bees wax (I like the pure white wax), the plant material, and a few drops of frangrance (there are many fragrances).

Here's how I make a salve.

1) I either have some essential fragrances that I bought at my co-op health and wellness department, or I make them (recipes follows).

2) I put about a cup of dried plant material in a sterilized and very dry jar. I cover the plant material with olive oil, add a sterilized lid and place the jar in a cool place for a month to 6 weeks. - Alternate method is to simmer the plant material and olive on a very low heat (no boiling) for 30 to 45 minutes. *You need to watch it constantly.

3) For the homemade fragrance, I put whatever amount of plant material I have (lavender leaves, peppermint, clean lemon peels...) and cover it with vodka or apple cider vinegar. I prefer the alcohol because it has no scent and the essential frangrance will last for years. Put in a cool place and leave for a month to 6 weeks.

4) Ready to make the salve. Place 1 cup of the plant oil (calendua, chamomile, etc) into a heavy bottom pan, add 1/4 cup beeswax. Put the burner on very low heat, stir until the wax melts. Remove from heat and add 4 to 6 drops of the fragrance - more or less depending on the desired strength of the fragrance.

5) Test your mixture. Put a spoonful of the salve on a plate and place it in the freezer for a minute or so. Pull your finger through the mixture to feel how thick it is. If it feels too hard, add more olive oil to the mixture, if it feels too soft, add more bees wax.

6) Pour your mixture into a sterilized, very dry jar and let it cool. That's it.

Poultices and Compresses

Make a poultice (or compress) by pouring boiling water over the herb you want to use, letting the herbal leaves soften. Strain the water off the leaves then place the leaves in a piece of cheesecloth that has been folded in half or quarters to keep the leaves from falling out. You can also use a clean muslin bag.

When the poultice is cool enough that it won't burn your skin, place it over a rash or a cut and hold it there for a while.

For rashes or scratches, I use calendua flower leaves.
Calendula is known for repairing skin cells.

For inflammation, I use sage leaves.

For a small wound that has become infected, I use fresh, grated ginger by pouring some boiling water over the ginger, letting the ginger soften and cool. Follow the directions for poultices above. Ginger has anti-biotic properties. ***Ginger is strong, so start with a small amount.

For the itch and pain of insect bites, I use basil leaves.

For backache, I make a compress of equal parts of sage, rosemary, and thyme.

Healthy Herbs and Plants to Cook With

Soup made with celery, garlic, fennel, oregano, basil, tarragon, peeled and seeded tomatoes. Add your choice of broth, salt and pepper to taste. These types of plants and herbs and plants can help with high blood pressure.

Cooking withe foods that contain pectin, such as carrots, celery, garlic, ginger, avocado and apples can help with high cholesterol.

Ripe plums have a laxative effect on constipation. Or eat 5 fruits and 5 vegetables a day for a few days for constipation.

Reduce inflammation by drinking orange juice or pomegranate juice

Or make a smoothie of flax milk, strawberries and banana.

Here is a healthy juice you can make. Blend 2 kale leaves, 1 cup citrus juice, 3 oz pomegranate juice, a few blackberries, 1” piece of fresh ginger root (grated). Blend everything together. Strain and drink the remaining liquic.

For a bone strengthening soup: Boil Chicken bones, cabbage, dandelion leaves, stinging nettles, parsley and purslane. Add salt, thyme, and a little bit of turmeric powder. Remove the chicken bones before eating.

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My main references:

The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. There are several versions of this book - updates from previous publications.

Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar (a renowned herbalist and teacher). There are also several versions of this book.

I found both of these authors online and have enjoyed their books immensely.