Awhile back, I posted about the medicinal benefits of the common “weed” plantain (Plantago spp.) and described the process of infusing it in olive oil.  (Read about it here!) 

Recently, I went about making some of it into a healing salve, although I also reserved a small amount of the oil to keep separately for certain circumstances where an oil might be more beneficial.

After letting an herbal oil infuse for at least 6 weeks, making a salve is really quite simple.

Before beginning, however, the plantain must be strained out of the oil through cheesecloth.

You’ll be left with plantain-infused oil that has obviously absorbed a lot of the plant’s medicinal properties (look how green it is!).

At this point, I recommend letting the oil sit for several hours.  If any water is in the oil (from the plantain leaves) it will separate to the bottom of the jar and can be left behind as the oil is poured out to make salves or to be reserved in its own container.  This will assist in the longevity of what is made.

To actually make the salve, I find it easiest to set up a version of a double boiler by placing a measuring cup into a small pot that contains an inch or two of boiling water.  I measure out a tablespoon of beeswax for each ounce of oil that I’ll be adding, and the beeswax goes directly into the measuring cup where it is allowed to melt completely.

After the beeswax has melted, add the oil (remember the ratio 1 Tbs beeswax to 1 ounce oil).  The cold oil will make some of the beeswax bead up initially, but be patient and the mixture will soon turn homogenous.  I use a chopstick for stirring to assist with this process.

When everything is blended together, test the consistency of the product by placing a drop of the liquid onto the counter.  The drop will solidify and allow you to check the texture of your salve.  If it is too runny, more beeswax is needed.  If it is too firm, add a little more oil.  Hopefully it will be just right!

The final step is to add the product to small containers.  From there, you’ve got an all-natural, healing salve that can be used on cuts, scrapes, bites, and skin irritations of all varieties.  It’s also a nice blend to put on chapped hands or lips.  Perfect for the coming change of seasons!

If you’re interested in plantain salve, but don’t think you’ll have time to make your own, I’ve made extra for you!  Consider stopping by the Light Footsteps shop and trying plantain salve for yourself!  (And thanks to the buyer of my first order of this today!)

You may also be interested in:

• Remember to Take Your Pine Needles for Good Health!
• Get Your Red Clover Before the Season’s Over

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