Miracle Healing Salve – The Recipe
For the past six weeks, I have been exploring alternatives to over-the-counter ointments, salves, and beauty products. Not only are these products expensive, but as I have learned time and time again, they don’t always work.
Starting with a basic formula for healing salve that I found on the internet, I decided to make my own all-purpose salve and to test it on various ailments to see how it worked. I added a bit of this, subtracted a bit of that and came up with I call my own Miracle Healing Salve. The funny thing is that when the final results came in, the formula that worked the best as an all-purpose salve was a version included the same blend essential oils I have been using for muscle aches these past ten plus years. Go figure.
As easy as this Miracle Healing Salve is to make – and it is easy – it just works. I will share some of the uses that I have become ecstatic about but first, the recipe.
DIY Miracle Healing Salve
Ingredients:
1 Cup Coconut Oil (not fractionated)
1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
5 Tbl. Organic Beeswax Pastilles
Containers:
8 each – 2 ounce jars or containers **OR**
4 each – 4 ounce mason jars
To each 2 ounce jar add: (double if you are using 4 ounce Mason jars)
5 drops Lavender essential oil
5 drops Rosemary essential oil
5 drops Peppermint essential oil
a few drops of Vitamin E (optional)
1. Put a pot of water on the stove to simmer. While the water is heating, put the coconut oil, olive oil and beeswax pastilles in a heatproof jar or measuring cup.
2. Set the jar filled with the coconut oil, olive oil, and wax into the water and leave it there until it melts, giving it a stir from time to time. You want a slow, gentle melt so take your time. It could take 15 or 20 minutes depending on the temperature of the water bath.
3. While the ingredients are melting, drop your essential oils into each of the containers. Hint: I have found that it is easier to use a glass medicine dropper than the dropper that comes with the bottle of essential oil. This is optional and a matter of personal preference.
4. Pour the melted oils into each of the smaller jars containing essential oils. There is no need to stir unless you want to since the oils will mix up on their own.
5. Cover the jars with a paper towel or cloth and set them aside for up to 24 hours. Although the salve will start to firm up within minutes, it takes at least 12 hours to complete the firming process. (The purpose of the cover is to keep out dust, bugs and other nasties that may be floating around.)
Coconut oil is a natural moisturizer and is antibacterial. Olive oil is chock full of antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender is a natural antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal and antiseptic. It is a master healer that also helps to prevent scarring. Rosemary is also antiseptic and an excellent treatment for muscle aches. Peppermint is an anti-inflammatory and is also antiseptic. Are you seeing a pattern here?
The optional Vitamin E is an antioxidant and is also used as a natural preservative.
These are the ways I have used this salve with success. I am sure there are others that are yet to be discovered but these make a darn good start!
1. Hand and foot moisturizer: An unbelievably emollient hand and foot moisturizer. No more dry hands and feet.
2. Relief for nocturnal foot and muscle cramps (rub on the bottom of your feet and on your calves before going to bed – this really works!)
3. Eliminates symptoms of eczema and psoriasis: With the addition of 5 to 10 drops of Melaleuca oil (tea tree) to a jar of Miracle Salver, the patch of psoriasis on Shelly’s elbow has all but disappeared. In the past he has tried everything including diet changes and prescription drugs. It has taken about 3 weeks for the Miracle Healing Salve to do its thing. Gone are the ugly crusty patches.
4. Antiseptic Ointment for life’s little bumps and bruises: Instead of Neosporin, reach for Miracle Healing Salve to both soothe and heal cuts and scrapes.
5. Promotes healing of scars: Slather the Miracle Salve over new scars and watch them heal in days rather than weeks. You can barely see the scar from my recent surgery. It is no longer tender, red and angry looking.
6. Makeup Remover: Smear on your face the wipe away your makeup with a damp washcloth.
7. Facial moisturizer and serum: Yes, really. You would think it would be greasy but the oils absorb quickly and leave your face with a nice, dewy texture.
8. Cuticle and nail conditioner: No more ragged cuticles or dry, splitting nails. This is a byproduct of being diligent about #2. It just happened without my realizing it.
8. Hair serum: A few drops liquefied in your palms and then smoothed over your hair will leave it shiny and less fly-away.
10. Relieve pet scratching and itching: Tucker the Dog was scratching himself in one spot on his belly so I put a little Miracle salve on the spot and a couple of days later he stopped. Was it the smell, the healing properties or just a coincidence? I don’t know but it worked.
Items replaced by Miracle Healing Salve
A number of years back, I found Gaye’s recipe for an essential-oil based DIY Miracle Healing Salve that she found effective on everything from cuts and rashes to sore muscles and eczema. I made the recipe, and have been using it ever since as my go-to first aid salve, replacing Neosporin, Cortisone, aloe vera gel, and other relatively pricey products from the local pharmacy.
In a survival or bug-out situation, however, essential oils may not be available. Once your existing stock runs out, it could easily become difficult or impossible to replace them. That’s why knowing a few common wild medicinal plants can be a life-saver.
A whole array of plants with medicinal qualities grow commonly in yards and urban areas, giving you a surprising bounty of raw material to make your own DIY Miracle Healing Salve even without any essential oils.
To help you be able to make your own medicine regardless of essential oil availability, I’ve re-imagined Gaye’s original recipe with some of these common medicinal backyard weeds. I have listed a number of plants for the ingredients that all have similar healing qualities, so finding and using any combination of them will make a potent salve.
If you’re in a survival situation and don’t have coconut oil, you could make a liquid rub with olive oil or any other fat that is safe to spread onto the skin. You could conceivably even process animal fat for this purpose.
The thing I use this stuff for most is mosquito bites, which I get all over my body in the form of itchy red welts. Mosquitos are a scourge during southern summers, and aside from a momentary cooling sensation, nothing I’ve ever bought at the store seems to help the itch.
After rubbing on a generous amount of this wild plant-based miracle salve, on the other hand, I completely forget about the bites after about five minutes. The itch is erased.
I use it in any of the ways I’d use Gaye’s original healing miracle salve: cuts, scrapes, wounds, boils, rashes, you name it! After giving some of it as a gift, I even got feedback that it helped relieve itching associated with menopause. It’s also pet-safe!
Below is a quick listing of the plants that you can use, with some identifying characteristics and images. Look for these in your yard and around your property, and you’re likely to find many of them just beyond your door. They even grow in parking lots!
For details on the medicinal properties of each of these, take a look at this great resource. I’d expect a salve that used any combination of 2-4 of these plants to be effective, but at the risk of overkill, my version uses them all:
Common Plantain has nothing to do with the banana plantains you see in stores. It has tough ovoid leaves with distinctive veins and grows in a basal rosette. Tiny flowers form on a stalk.
Once a mainstay in native Indian medicine, homeowners from California to Maine now work all spring and summer trying to vanquish this powerful healing plant from their yards.
It is very similar to the common broadleaf variety, except the leaves are lanceolate instead of ovoid.
This cousin of the broadleaf plantain has tough, lance-shaped leaves that grow in a basal rosette near disturbed lots, roadsides, and lawns.
Ground Ivy is a creeping plant with scalloped leaves and small blue flowers. All parts smell minty when crushed.
The stem is square, not round, and leaves are alternate, meaning the leaf pairs appear in a staggered pattern along the stem.
Usually mistaken as clovers, wood sorrel leaves have a shamrock-like appearance.
The flowers are small and can be either white, yellow, pink, or purple.
For most newbie foragers, this common weed is as easy to identify as a dandelion. The flowers have been prized for centuries for their medicinal qualities.
I used about two cups’ worth of total plant material for a liter or so of salve, using approximately equal amounts of each plant with the exception of wood sorrel, which I only used a very small amount of.
You can make a smaller recipe and the amount of plant matter doesn’t have to be precise, just err on the side of too much to ensure your formula is potent enough. Once they are gathered, use a colander to rinse them thoroughly.
Then use a mortar and pestle or other technique to crush them slightly, just enough so that those membranes are broken and the leaves release a bit of juice.
Then I put them into a pot with the coconut oil.
Melt the coconut oil at extremely low heat, and make sure you’ve used enough oil that the plant matter is submerged once it melts. Now all you do is simmer, simmer, simmer.
I left mine on for about three hours, but it might be better to leave it on even longer to ease out more of those active chemicals from the plants. The oil should turn a nice green color.
After a few hours or more of simmering, strain the liquid out. There may be some plant matter that finds its way through, which is fine. I didn’t have cheese cloth, but it would have helped to keep some of that extra plant material out of my final product. I like to really try to squeeze the plants to get out as much of the oil as I can.
Now just let it cool for about 24 hours. It should keep fresh for a long time – I’d say up to a year or longer in the fridge.
If you’re going to refrigerate yours, just rub your fingers on the salve until the warmth from the friction softens it enough to be applied.
Wild plant-based healing salve is cheaper, fun to make, and is even stronger and more effective (in my experience) than the myriad over-the-counter products it replaces. See what plants you find in your yard, and make a salve that renders store-bought first aid ointments obsolete!
Author Bio: Eric is a nature-loving writer, experience junkie, and former Boy Scout who never forgot that time-honored Scout Motto: Be prepared. Aside from camping and survival, he loves writing about travel, history, and anything he finds strange and unique!
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You have not heard the last of this. In addition to this DIY Miracle Healing Salve, I have made batches of Tea Tree Skin Ointment and Lemon Salve. These are themes of the basic formula that were put together to take advantage of the specific properties of oils used in their formulation. I am also experimenting with an infusions of dried oregano and olive oil.
As with all things at Backdoor Survival, I am testing first posting later. Stay tuned!
Enjoy your next adventure through common sense and thoughtful preparation!
Gaye
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Bargain Bin: Here are some links to items used to create your custom-crafted Miracle Healing Salve.
White Plastic Jar with Dome Lid 2 Oz (12 Per Bag): I often chose to use these small ointment jars rather than Mason jars for my salve. I also have similar jars in the 1 ounce size.
Ball Jar Crystal Jelly Jars with Lids and Bands, Quilted, 4-Ounce, Set of 12: Sometimes I use plastic and sometimes I use mason jars. Honestly? It is a matter of personal preference.
Beeswax Organic Pastilles, Yellow, 100% Pure 16 Oz: I ordered the white pastilles but have since learned that the natural yellow pastilles are better. That said, the difference may not be discernable – just be sure that what you purchase is cosmetic grade.
Glass Droppers, Pack of 6: I bought a package of these and loved them. When I went to re-order, I accidentally ordered plastic instead glass droppers. Learn from my mistake. The price is the same go get the glass ones.
Spark Naturals Essential Oils: These is what you need for the Miracle Salve: Lavender essential oil, Rosemary essential oil, and Peppermint essential oil. Enjoy a 10% discount on your Spark Naturals order with code BACKDOORSURVIVAL at checkout.
NOW Foods Essential Oils: My salves were made using essential oils from Spark Naturals. My sniff test tells me they are stronger and more pure smelling. For healing purposes, I feel they are superior. On the other hand, NOW Foods has decent essential oils at a budget price: NOW Foods Rosemary Oil, NOW Foods Peppermint Oil and Now Foods Lavender Oil.
Coconut Oil: Coconut Oil from Tropical Traditions is my preferred coconut oil. I love it so much I purchased a 5 gallon tub. Really, I did! I find it very silky to work with and love the taste when used in cooking. Note that no refrigeration is required and although it solid at room temperature, it melts at 76 degrees. The Nutiva brand from Amazon or Costco works well too.
Kirkland Signature Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 2 Liters (Product of Italy): If you have a Costco close by, get it their. Otherwise, you can use this or any other quality extra virgin olive oil.
The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: I first became interested in aromatherapy and essential oils in the early 90s which was before they really became mainstream. I read every book I could get my hands on and dabbled at creating synergy’s (a combination of two or more oils that create a chemical compound that is greater than the some of its individual components). My bible then, and even now, is this book.
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Updated Sep 5, 2020
I am going to try this. Been looking for an all around moisturizer, plus have a dog who constantly itches and licks causing hot spots and a visit to the vet. I know it’s just an estimate but any idea what the shelf life for something like this would be?
Thanks for sharing this!
I read that with the Vitamin E oil, the shelf life was a year. My first batches were 1/2 size and with all the testing, I went through them quickly so shelf life was not a problem. The other thing is that oils rarely go rancid in the cool, PNW climate.
Just to be safe, given the Texas heat and humidity, I would make half batches and definitely use the vitamin E. (We poked capsules with a pin and squeezed one capsule into each jar at the time we added the EOs.)
Be sure to check back and let me know how you like the salve.
I have a suggestion for your dog’s hot spot issue that I hope will help. Our dog had a hot spot about the size of a quarter. An ugly dark red circle on his hip and the hair fell out. I put coconut oil on it. It began to heal and the hair grew back. I like using something on him that I am sure won’t hurt him if he licks it off. I even give him a small amount to eat if he is having an upset stomach, it seems to help. If you do an online search for the benefits of coconut oil for dogs, you will find a lot of info.
Gaye,thanks so much for this recipe,I can’t wait to try it. Hubby and I are having a lot of dry hands since winter got here.
This is true! Coconut oil by itself is antibacterial and contains many other health benefits. I wrote an article which includes medical reviews on the health benefits of coconut oil not long ago, feel free to give it a read: //www.soulsalve.co/alchemists-corner/article2
Thanks for this tip. I will need to try this as I have been looking for a hand cream to help with the terrible eczema that I have had on my hands for the past year. It is so painful and so far nothing has really worked.
I wish I had taken a before and after of Shelly’s elbow so you could see the difference. I guess I should at least do the after picture. Let me know how it goes with your eczema.
I just started making these things and have a problem with the oils separating in the cooling process. They will stay blended if stirred in the little jars while cooling, but won’t if the mixture is just poured into the containers.
Any suggestions?
It may be the brands of oils (coconut, olive and Eos) that you are using. Also, is the coconut oil the solid type or the liquid? I have not had a problem so perhaps you can share more info and we can take it from there. My first batches were in Mason jars so I could see the oils while they were cooling and there was no separation.
Thanks! It will be most helpful to talk with others with more experience. I’ve been doing herbal medicines for many years, but only recently got into the coconut oil thing.
I used Nutiva coconut oil, a very fine pure bee’s wax pellet, and added a tiny bit of honey and vitamin E oil with flavorings to make lip balm. Looking back through what I produced, I think the problem may have been overheating the mixture at the last, since it looks as if the first few tubs I poured cooled mixed. I made so MUCH of it, however, that I’m not sure I want to try it again, at least not right away. What I can do is gently warm the little tubs of separated stuff that I mixed, and see if it will smooth out and not separate. That will tell me a lot. Right now the little tubs look like they are full of gray curds. I want to use these for Christmas gifts… so I had best get cracking. 🙂
I got started with this because I have bad keratosis all over, but especially in my scalp. I had tried using just coconut oil, but it made my hair look stringy and limp. Got to reading about it, and thought adding a bit of bee’s wax would help keep most of the oil on the scalp itself. Still have to make that, but I’ve kept using the coconut oil as a scalp conditioner and I seem to be shedding massive amounts of dead skin – hopefully thinning or eliminating the keratosis. I add tea tree oil to the coconut, but have to be very careful. I had some on my fingers and managed to touch my eye once… HOOOO BOY! Not a good idea.
I have actually re-mixed a batch because I wanted to add some additional oils and also I wanted to add additional wax. I actually am still testing this one which is my “everything but the kitchen sink” salve.
I have gas burners on my stove so what I do is bring the water to a slow simmer then turn the burner off. I get about a 90% melt. I then turn the burner on very low for the final melt.
I wonder if the problem is the honey? Why not take a small amount, re-melt it, add a little more wax and see what happens?
BTW, I found that using straight coconut oil on my skin and hair was very drying. Mixing it wiith olive oil made a huge difference.
honey can make a formulation separate.
Wonderful lady Gaye. I have to share some of my observations I have about you. When I first started reading your blog, you didn’t have a photo for me to see what you looked like. Then I was able to watch one of your videos on something that took flour. I was happy to see what you looked like, BUT, there is always a but, there you were mixing flour in a black dress. I chuckled, but before the video was over, you had changed into something else. You are learning as you teach. Now I see you mixing melting wax in a bowl, stirring it with what appears to be a knife from your fine silver.
Another observation. I was concerned over you living on an island in the ocean. I googled you yesterday to see where you lived. You are not in the ocean, you are in a bay. I no longer worry about you. Japan’s radiation is not going to get you through the water, maybe through the air, but it will get all of us then. Also as I googled you with the satellite imagery, I think I saw you in your backyard while taking your dog out for a walk. Go ahead and google yourself and see if that is not you in your green vest.
Concerning your salve. You just had to make me need more than I have in stock. What in the world is Organic Beeswax Pastilles? Also, you put tea tree oil in your husbands salve, but not yours. Is there a reason? I have plenty of tea tree oil.
Thanks Gaye for all you do and for putting up with me for all this time. I’ll let you know about the last thing you did for me in a while.
Well, if you must know, I was born with high heels on and a dress :). I really am a dress-up kind of person so yes, I do get overly dressed quite often. I typically will garden in white pants which makes good use of my “expired” bleach.
As far as the knife, that is just an ordinary knife from my kitchen drawer. Yep, the kitchen drawer has the fancy stuff. I am not a believer in squirreling away the good stuff for company.
We live at a harbor in the Salish Sea – salt water but inland from the Pacific. The green you saw is actually common area in front of our house. We have a tiny back yard – no grass.
Beeswax pastilles are pellets of beeswax. You could also grate your own but since I had to buy some anyway, I purchased the pastilles. Tea tree is a heavy-duty anti-fungal that I did not thing was necessary for an all-purpose salve. Plus, the smell is a bit obnoxious to my nose.
Okay now, John. You and the entire world now know a bit more about me. Lousy OPSEC.
How sold does this get? I have made healing salves and lotion bars before and the amount of beeswax in this recipe would indicate to me that it is not completely solid. Is this correct? The lotion bar I make is 1:1:1 ratio of coconut oil, coco butter and beeswax. It is pretty solid until you start to use it.
Leal – It is what I would call firm but not completely solid. It is similar in texture to jarred moisturizing cream – very silky.
John R – I had a 10 pound block of beeswax that I picked up a couple of years ago. To use this, I shave off the amount I need using a vegetable peeler.
You can get pastilles from http://www.mountainroseherbs.com out of Eugene Oregon. They are great and fast.
You can also usually find beeswax pellets in the candle making section of your local big box craft store (like Michaels or hobby lobby). I get mine from a store called pat Catan’s (formerly crafts2000). They also sell 1 pound blocks. Or try googling local beekeepers, I have gotten fresh local sourced beeswax that way as well.
I used a variation of this also for skin ointment for my animals. As far as you know, the application is safe for them?
Excellent thorough post by the way.
Bo
Bo – I have used diluted essential oils on Tucker the Dog with no problem. He does not like the smell of peppermint so I am very careful with that. When I say diluted, I mean with a carrier oil such as coconut oil or in my salve. I may be extra cautious but that is what I do.
I don’t have a cat but according to my research, cats assimilate oils differently than dogs and that you should use with extreme caution if at all.
Hi Gaye, quick question. Your recipe calls for 5 Tbl. Organic Beeswax Pastilles. Tbl as tablet or Tbl as tablespoon?
Thanks.
Keep doing what you do. It is a great deal of help.
That would be Tablespoon. Thank you for the kind words 🙂
I love making my own lotions, so I wanted to mix up a batch of your healing salve. I bought coconut oil that is in a liquid form, but now I don’t think that will firm up. When you listed the ingredients, are you using solid coconut oil? Thanks for what you do. Yvonne
Yes – I used the solid coconut oil. If it were me, I would save the liquid coconut oil (fractionated) for some other purpose.
Gaye, I love melting and making my own lotions and wanted to try your recipe for healing salve. I went out today and bought some coconut oil. It is in the liquid form, now I’m not sure this will firm up with all the liquid. Does your recipe call for the solid coconut oil? Thank you for all you do, resources, free books, information on products. (Love my wonder mill). Yvonne
Yvonne – I don’t know what happened but a similar comment came through about an hour ago. See above for my response. Best . . . Gaye
Can you use Avacado Oil instead of Olive Oil?
Jessica – I don’t see why not. Avocado oil is a high quality, nourishing oil plus it is silky smooth. I considered adding some Jojoba oil as well – for the same reason. Be sure to come back and let us know how it turns out.
— Gaye
It turned out heavenly! I haven’t tried it with the olive oil so don’t know how it compares, but the recipe I whipped up with avocado oil is just amazing. Thank you for posting the recipe! It absorbs beautifully and makes my skin silky soft, even after washing my hands. I made an extra-large batch and am giving out jars for gifts. So far, everyone loves it. Thank you!
Jessica – That is wonderful. I just made up a batch without using any EOs so that I can add them on the fly, depending on my mood and what ails me.
Avocados are dangerous to dogs….. so don’t use it where they can lick it….
Gail; I STARTED DAPPLEING IN DOING THIS TO , I MAKED A HAND CREAM BUT ,WORKS FOR SEVERAL THINGS. IT.S ON DIY TO ;BABY LOTION, COCONUT OIL, DOLLAR GENERAL VIT.E CREAM IN JARS,AND YOUR OILS ETC. SO EASY LOOKS LIKE FROSTING,MY HAIR IS FINE AND I RUB IN AND WASH OUT AND GOT THE DRYNESS OUT FINAILLY, !!!!!!!!!!! MY HUBBY LIKES IT AND GAVE KIDS SOME TOO AND BOTH LIKE . IT MAKES ABOUT MEDIUM SMALL BOWL..THE ORGINAL BATCH CALLED FOR WASELINE BUT DIDN’T USE, I PUT COCOA BUTTER CREAM IN.I BUY FROM BULK A. AND MOUNTAIN ROSE TOO.I;M GOING TO MAKE MORE AND TRY YOUR’S TO MAKE THAT WASH LIGUID UP AND IT’S GREAT! DAWN IS GREAT GOR SO MUCH STUFF.THANK.!DEB
I read your recipe for Miracle Salve and decided to try it. I used Kirkland coconut oil, Kirkland organic olive oil and beeswax candles. I melted the candle to measure the wax. I didn’t know how to measure the wax any other way. When I mixed the three together, the wax melted but congealed and would not mix with the oils.
This is my first adventure with making salve or anything else.
Please tell me what I did wrong. I want to be successful at this.
Also, I am going to order the beeswax pellets online, so how many pellets do you use or, how many pellets make a tablespoon?
Diane
Diane – My guess is that the candle included additives other than beeswax or, perhaps more likely, the melted wax too much, quantity wise. If you want to try using a candle again, grate the candle first then measure out a tablespoon of the grated wax for your salve.
On the other hand, the pellets are 100% beeswax. They measure our just like you would measure sugar or flour (they are very small). If you purchase a chunk of beeswax, you would grate it first then measure out your tablespoon.
Regarding the salve you made that did not mix with the oils: try whipping it up into a whipped salve using a hand mixer. That should blend everything together and make it fluffy and usable.
If you have any additional questions, let me know.
Gaye.. I have to say that after trolling the internet for a long time and making literally dozens of recipes, with varying success rates.. I found your “Miracle”.. This was so simple and effective that I just can’t believe it.. I’ve tried it on everything and everyone I could find.. And it IS truly a miracle..
I just can’t thank you enough for the easiest and best recipe I have found.. (and cost effective too, after purchasing so many different herbs and oils etc. for less effective recipes.)
BTW.. I have also made this with jojoba oil and also moringa oil and also Argan oil in place of the Olive oil, and they all turned out great.. (you have to add a little more beeswax with the moringa)..
I have been using the Miracle as a face cream as you suggested, but I substitute for the peppermint 3 drops of lemon essential oil to brighten the skin.. (which I need to keep the age spots away).. Works beautifully..
Let us know how your other experiments turn out.. Keep up the good work and Thanks again sooooo much..
Trisa
Trisa. Where do you get Moringa oil. I grow Moringa trees to make powder out of their leaves, but I have never seen Moringa oil, nor have I ever heard of it.
John,
How wonderful that you can grow your own trees.. And able to make your own powder..
You should be able to make your own oil as well.. There is info on doing that on the internet. You should look into it..
But to answer your question, you can pick it up on Amazon or E Bay.. I purchase the Dr. Adorable brand because it is Pure cold-pressed Oil and a good quality..
Trisa
Hi, Gaye. Love Backdoor Survival! Just getting started on all things prepping and you are my “go-to” person for helpful info! I have a “wonderment” ( as my Grandma used to say) about measuring the coconut oil. Do you measure a cup of solid oil or do you measure a cup of melted oil? Thanks for everything you do, especially for newbies like me. Karen
It does matter. Measure it in solid state, difficult as that may be. You’ll wind up with too much if you melt it before you measure it. I was curious about this, too so I melted my solid measurement to see how much would be in the cup and it was considerably less.
Try this: if you need 12 cup oil, put 12 cup of water in your measuring cup and add enough SOLID oil to bring the water level up to 1 cup. You will have 12 cup of coconut oil even if its in several chunks.
If you use your method to measure your solid coconut oil you will have drops of water in your miracle salve. This may cause the salve to spoil. The drops of water will settle to the bottom of ea container over time.
Karen – I was just thinking this morning that there has to be a better way to scoop out the rock solid coconut oil than to use a melon ball gizmo. We keep our home pretty cool and the coconut oil is like a brick. I was thinking about setting it next to the fireplace for an hour or so to soften it.
At the end of the day, I don’t think it matters whether the coconut oil is melted or not. Just be aware that the fractionated (liquid) form of coconut oil is not what I am using here. I do not believe it will work in the same way!
When I make salve, I measure the olive oil in a cup (say its one cup) then add the coconut oil (solid) until the oil rises to the two cup mark. I then melt the hold thing in a water bath. Does that make sense?
— Gaye
I make soaps and use coconut oil scooped from a 5 gallon bucket. I found one of those old, cheap, solid, but wide ice cream scoops they used to give out as promotional’s back in the 70’s-80’s. It works PERFECTLY to scoop up large quantities without bending.
If you can’t find one of those, any metal and sturdy ice cream scoop will work faster than a melon baller without bending like a normal kitchen spoon.
I have found using a regular table knife like the kind you get in a silverware set works great for scooping out coconut oil. You place the coconut oil in a measuring cup by scraping the oil on the edge of the measuring cup. I use the same technique to measure ghee (clarified butter).
Yes it does. Thank you so much, Gaye!
Gaye… I keep my coconut oil on the counter next to my stove (since I also use it for cooking)..
And it stays in a liquid state.. You could also put it in the center of the stove top for awhile if
you know you are going to be using it soon…
About the fractionated coconut oil.. It does work the same, and some like it better because they say it’s non-comedogenic (doesn’t plug the pores).. But unless you have problems with breakouts, I feel the all natural product is better for nourishing the skin.. (and certainly better
for you than the processed vegetable oils many people use for cooking)
Hope this was helpful.. And as always keep up the good work..
Trisa
Very helpful – thank you. I had a couple of emails from readers that said their salve made with fractionated coconut oil did not harden up and stayed liquid. Do you find you need to add more beeswax?
I am hesitant to use (and recommend) the fractionated coconut oil because of the cost but I really need to try it myself to see what happens.
One more thing: I am having excellent results with PURE olive oil which is considerably less expensive than extra virgin. I get it at Costco.
What is the difference between Pure Olive Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil?
True extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) is extracted from olives using only pressure, a process known as cold pressing. It comes from the first pressing of the olives, and is considered the finest, having the freshest, fruitiest flavor.
On the other hand, pure olive oil may be heat processed. It is lighter in color, has less aroma, and a higher smoke point when used in cooking and frying. It is my understanding that EVOO has more antioxidants than pure olive oil because the heat used in the extraction process for pure olive oil disperses the antioxidants.
I have used both in my salves but prefer pure olive oil because it has almost no smell and it is significantly less expensive. I would rather put my money into high quality essential oils and coconut oil. At the end of the day, it is a matter of preference and budget. The healing qualities of the salves, in my own testing, seem the same.
Gaye… I have found with the recipes I have put together.. that the amount of beeswax is always variable depending on your environment.. But you do need a bit more for fractionated oil..
But fractionated oil in my opinion it is not as nourishing for the skin.. But for people that are prone to breakouts, it is a necessity..
As far as Pure Olive oil is concerned, it is actually a blend of either extra virgin or virgin olive oil and olive oils that are refined. It is used mainly when extracted olive oil is of poor quality.. I wouldn’t recommend it as a first choice.. But if your budget is tight it can be substituted.. And for most people it will work just fine.. But if you develop blackheads etc.. go back to EVOO.. Remember your skin is the judge of what works for you.. No two people are the same..
Light Olive oil is never to be used on your skin.. It can be 95% other types of oils, including canola, which is actually rapeseed oil which no one should ever use.. (for cooking either IMHO).
Stick to the cold-pressed extra virgin.. It is the very best for your skin.. For cooking the Pure is just fine..
Trisa
Amen on the canola. Talk about the public being brainwashed.
Many of the readers here on Backdoor Survival are on fixed incomes so I always like to provide budget friendly options. But I agree, EVOO rocks!
OK, I don’t care what they say about you being just another pretty face. I may procrastinate, but my order of bees wax came in and I made this “miracle” salve yesterday Jan 15. Wouldn’t you know it I awoke with a foot cramp this morning that just wouldn’t go away. I had to hobble to the kitchen to get the salve, but in less than 2 minutes the cramping was gone. I don’t know how to send a hug, but here comes one. Thanks Gaye
Oh John, can I say I told you so? I would not post bogus information – I really do try everything. Now that I think about it, I should share more bloopers so you/everyone do not make the mistakes I do. I do have a spot for bloopers on the Sunday Survival Buzz buy by the time the week rolls around, I have moved on and forgotten about them.
For the last month or so, Shelly and I have been using what we call our Dreamy Sleepy salve and the Aches and Pains salve (for his arthritis). Also Oil of Oregano for further healing of psoriasis. So much to write about – all three are proving to be fantastic.
Stay tuned – as always.
Gaye..
I use Oil of Oregano in your salve recipe for my patch of psoriasis on my leg (3 drops).. And it works wonderfully..
Keep us posted on your other preparations.. And keep up the good work.. We need you…
Trisa
Trisa – Oil of Oregano is truly amazing. My oil of Marjoram just arrived and I am anxious to try it. It is my understanding that it is a good substitute for some of the higher priced oils.
Gaye..
You’ll Love Marjoram.. It has so many uses as I am certain you know.. But for others that might not, here are some documented uses..
Arthritis, asthma, blood pressure (regulates), bronchitis, circulatory disorders, colic, cramps, constipation, insomnia, migraines, menopausal problems, rheumatism, reduce water retention, whooping cough, muscular cramps and spasms, aches and pains, sprains.
For myself, I use it in place of Tea Tree Oil.. I just don’t care for the strong smell of Tea Tree, and since Marjoram has similar properties and a much better scent.. It is a great substitute..
Try it in your miracle salve as a replacement for tea tree in your psoriasis treatment.. I’m certain you will be pleased with the results..
I also put it in my home-made medicinal soaps
And use a 50:50 dilution to rub on my forehead and temples (sometimes back of neck) for headaches… (you can use almost any carrier oil for your dilution).. This is also good to use on bruises..
And it can always be substituted for Oil of Oregano..
Congrats.. and let us know how it goes…
Trisa
You ask what I did this week to prepare. My daughter was visiting just after I made my salve. She had fallen and had a very sore spot on her leg and she said it hurt quiet a bit when she tried to get up. I gave her the salve to try. She thought it was helping. Her husband has problems with leg cramps at night, so I gave them a 4 oz jar. You know what is coming next. She has told all her friends about this “miracle” and pleaded with me to make more. She must be selling this stuff on E Bay to want so much of it. You know what dads are for, so I keep making it.
When I combine the EVOO and the coconut oil, I put it in the microwave and nuke it to where it and the bee’s wax will melt. Is there a problem with this?
No problem with nuking the salve as long as it does not get too hot. You don’t want to add the essential oils until it has cooled off a bit.
BTW, I have been using the less expensive Pure Olive Oil with good results. I find that when I do, I need a bit more wax. Also, I have been having good luck using marjoram essential oil on Shelly’s arthritis. I keep adding so many things to the salve that I started calling one of my concoctions “The Everything But the Kitchen Sink” salve.
In the Pyrex measuring cup, I have the 2 cups of oils and wax. I bring it up 20 seconds at a time until the wax melts.
When you add the marjoram, do you leave everything else in also, or take something out? Are you experimenting with how much to use of are you going with the same 10 drops?
John – I am definitely experimenting. Right now I am trying a little jar of 2 tsp. of basic salve (no oils) plus 5 drops of marjoram. That is a pretty heavy dose of oil for that small amount but it does seem to provide some relief.
To be more specific, sometimes I add an additional 10 drops of something new to the basic mixture (lavender, rosemary and peppermint) and others times I leave something out. Still messing around LOL.
Have you tried making salve, lotion, etc. with chamomile? If so, did you use the essential oil? There are a number of choices: german, roman, wild, blue, etc. Somewhat confusing. I have restless leg syndrome & read on one site that chamomile would be a good solution. Would like to make the miracle salve and include it. I drink the tea all the time and it sometimes helps with the restless leg. FYI: I was raised by gr-mother who was, more or less, the neighborhood witch doctor. If she thought a kid was coming down with measles, chicken pox, etc. she always gave them chamomile tea. Said it brought out the ‘spots’ and once they had appeared, the sickness was far less severe.
Pat..
Chamomile is wonderful used in home preparations..
I use it in place of water in some of my diy lotions..
I boil 2 teabags or 2 tblsps of loose tea.. in a cup of water
let steep for an hour or so.. then strain…
As far as the essential oil.. There is some difference between the varieties, such as between the Roman and German..
The German contains a higher proportion of chamazulene, an active chemical constituent. This compound is a potent anti-inflammatory that has proven highly effective as a herbal remedy for conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism and gastritis.
Roman chamomile has little chamazulene, and thus has gentler anti-inflammatory properties. It is the better choice for skin conditions and other topical applications.
But don’t worry about this in your preparations.. Just use what is available and affordable.. You can’t go wrong..
Use 5 drops in Gayes miracle salve.. and it should be helpful with your restless leg..
Hope this helps..
Trisa
I have a couple of oregon grape bushes. Any way to make your own oil, etc. from berries, roots, etc? About all I know they’re good for is jelly. Very sour! I also have dry-eye problems. Anyone have any suggestions. Only thing I’ve found is suggestion to take flaxseed oil caps.
Pat..
Making you own oil is time consuming but it can be done..
1
Collect the pomace (the pulpy residue remaining after fruit has been crushed in order to extract its juice). Place it in a dehydrator and dry it fully. this will take eight to 12 hours. You may have to do this several times to get enough dried pomace, since the grape seeds produce very small amounts of oil.
2
Remove the seeds from the rest of the pomace. You also need to shell the seeds. This can be a slow process. Get the kids to help.
3
Get a couple of plastic containers, one larger than the other..
(You can also use cans)
Cut or punch several small holes in the bottom of your larger container. Then put the seeds inside and place the smaller container inside the larger one. This will be your press. Hold the press over a bowl and press out your oil. Store the oil in bottles for later use.
The oil is good for cooking or for your skin (softens wrinkles)..
……………………………
Dry eye is usually caused by blockages, you can help to clear these with massage.. Try massaging the eyes underneath with the knuckle of your thumb from the inner corner of the eye out (not the other way). also under the eyebrow in the same manner..
This can often help clear blockages.. Also when watching tv or computer, take blink breaks often.. When going outside for extended periods, wear sunglasses or goggles..
Also a little Almond Oil can help moisturize around the eye area.. (a tiny amount used with the massage technique might help)
Commercial eye drops etc.. do not work long term and can keep you dependent on them.. So avoid them if at all possible..
Hope this will be helpful to you..
Trisa
I am HIGHLY allergic to anything coconut. I was wondering if you’ve ever used anything in its place? If not, what would you suggest I try? Thank you.
Sheila – I have experimented using 100% olive oil. I did have to add about half again as much beeswax since the olive oil does not solidify like the coconut oil does. Other than that, it was fine. BTW, pure olive oil versus EVOO is less expensive, has less odor, and is lighter in color. The healing qualities are similar.
Gaye,
I have several friends who are incredibly allergic to nuts in the coconut/shea families and as a result when I craft for them I use just olive oil. If I’m crafting for someone whose allergies I don’t know, I also craft without tree nuts for the same reason.
You might want to consider adding to your experimenting list frankincense, which is well regarded for its skin care properties. Frankincense with lavender is divine. I love this combination for shower exfoliation (olive oil, sugar, oils) in the winter.
Your “how to” post is beautifully done!
My favorite diffuser blend is Frankincense and Clove (50/50). I love Frank and add it to almost everything I make for personal use. One reason I do not promote it more is that it is one of the more expensive oils and out of reach for a lot of my readers. It does, however, kick things up a notch, so for me, it is worth it.
Use grapeseed oil. It is much lighter and works great. Maybe a little pricey, though.
Hello Gaye, I’ve been following your posts for a while however I haven’t actually taken the time to really thoroughly read much of your information, well tonight I have thank the good Lord. I wanted to check in with you first to say I am really very impressed with how informative your information is, I’m anxious to try your recipe, I have pretty severe arthritis, and pretty much have only used exercise to help it up to this point in my life, However I’m at a crossroads and needing something more, but I’m 53 and don’t take any medication for anything at all as of yet, and I really don’t want to start, not yet. I’ve read most of your comments with other viewers, and I think I’ve got a pretty good idea of what I need to get started, Now I’ve got to dig deeper into your older posts to see what I’ve missed by not taking more time to read all your posts.. Not for lack of interest, just lack of sit down time..lol I’m sure I’ll be paying better attention in the future.. Thank you for taking your time to help others.
Castor oil is good for pain and can be used as a carrier oil. I’ve never used castor oil w/ EO but see no reason they would not mix. Also dried cayenne pepper heaping 2-3 teas , 1/2 c olive oil in double boiler heated till good and warm turn off heat .Let rest 20 mins. Repeat 5-6 times . Strain thru a clean cloth ( cloth diaper). Add 1/2 oz beeswax and warm till melted. Porn into container to cool. Works great on pain just rub it in well , My husband loves it for back pain.
Thank you so much for this!!!
I think I finally have everything I need to make a batch! My husband has been having fantastic results on a patch of excema using a similar, but store-bought product (not sure if I should say it here, it’s “All Good Goop”), but it’s ridiculously expensive. The ingredients are almost identical to Miracle Healing Salve, except for the addition of comfrey and chamomile essential oils. Since I have those on hand, I’d like to add them to your recipe. How many drops of each would you recommend, and would I need to increase the beeswax?
I LOVE your blog! I’ve learned so much that my hubby calls me “crunchy granola.” I’m okay with that 🙂
Robynne – There is really no set rule as to how many drops of something “extra” to add. Also, the amount depends on the size of your jar. But as an example, if you added 10 drops each of the rosemary, lavender and peppermint, I would add the same for the add-ons. Another approach would be to take the original 30 drops and divide by 5 – so 6 drops each – to maintain the same proportions.
All that being said, feel free to experiment. That is what I do. And yes, I would add a bit more beeswax – 1 or 2 teaspoons – but that too, is a matter of preference. Some folk like a goopier salve than others.
Hope this helps.
Question: Can I use some Coconut oil that is refined? Also, I’ll be infusing my dried herbs in Olive oil instead of using essential oil and thanks!
Where do you buy “non fractionated cocounut oil”? And what exactly is it? Thanks for your help.
non-fractionated coconut oil is “regular” coconut oil that is semi-solid and typically sold in a tub. There is a link in the Bargain Bin section of the article to coconut oil that can be purchased on Amazon but you can also purchase it at most grocery stores or even Costco.
In reality, the “fractionated” or liquid form is more difficult to find.
Can I use this on a 3 month old? He has extremely bad eczema all over and none of the doctors directions and things to use are working, he just keeps getting worse poor little guy.
Suzy – Sorry for the delay. I wanted to do some research before answering your question. From everything I have learned, yes, the healing salve should be perfectly fine on your infant. I did read a number of testimonials indicating that a blend of the following oils worked so you may want to start with these instead of those I wrote about in the article.
Per 4 oz jar add:
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil
8 drops Lemon Essential Oil
6 drops Melaleuca Essential Oil
Be sure to check back and let me know if this works!
Thank you for researching! I did some too and decided to go ahead and give it a go as momma was desperate. But the poor little guy woke up even crustier than before. My daughter said it turned yellowish and scabby. Is it suppose to do that???? Don’t know much about eczema but the only thing that seems to not crust him over is aquaphor but it’s not stopping it from spreading. I am ordering the Melaleuca you mentioned above and going to try this combination out and will let you know….
Wouldn’t the crusting and scabbing indicate that healing is going on? I recently had surgery on my right eye lid and a week later the scar was huge and oozy. The doc said to let it crust over and scab and sure enough, in a few days it got better.
I had been using the salve on my wound but switched to straight lavender and frankincense to promote the scabbing. It has now been two months and you have to look really hard to see the scar.
I would not recommend using a straight essential oil on an infant though. Perhaps dilute in some coconut oil first – worth a try as an alternative to the salve.
Gaye, a quick thought…would Tea Tree oil work in place of the Melaleuca, I already have that on hand?
They are the same thing. Spark Naturals calls is Melaleuca but that is simply the technical term for tea tree. You should be good to go.
Hi
I tried this method and it worked really well.
Thanks for inspiration
Hweehwee
Hi there, I love the sound of this and have bought the ingredients, but dean you tell me how much a cup is in grams or ml? We don’t have cup measurements in the uk 🙁
Thanks!
Sally – I used a conversion table and came up with 1 cup = 236.588 ml. A conversion to grams would not apply because grams are dependent on mass (and therefore what is inside the cup).
I’ve just started using EOs and love them. Haven’t started making salves or lotions yet, but this sounds like a great recipe. I have a question – how long would last – would it turn rancid at some point? Thx!
Sandy – Adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil will act as a preservative. That said, I go through it so fast that I don’t worry about rancidity. If you cannot keep your spare jars cool, try storing them in the fridge. My guess, however, is you will use them up in just a couple of months 🙂
Hi
I a from singapore and I made this twice. Once with coconut oil and one without. It appears to work well and my daughter’s eczema has improved. Thanks for sharing
I am curious as to whether you found a difference between the version with and without coconut oil when it came to treating the eczema.
hey, love to try this but coconut and I don’t agree. Do you have an alternative to suggest?
I have had good success using 100% olive oil and no coconut oil. The results are softer so I would suggest adding another teaspoon or two of the beeswax. This also makes a good, budget-friendly version.
Grape seed oil. Much lighter and works great. Also, it has virtually no fragrance. I don’t evo in any of my recipes for these reasons.
My husband found your recipe on the internet and brought it home to me because he knows I like to make my own stuff that is healthier and better (most times) than what you can get in the stores.
Four years ago I was breaking a wild burns mustang I had acquired. Unfortunately, while I was working with him on April 12, 2010, he spooked, threw me, and when I landed, my left knee was completely blown out! I lost my ACL, MCL, and my meniscus.
This happened in a very hard time in my life when insurance was not available to me. I fought for 6 months to find a dr to help get me walking again. I had to be taken care of by my mother for almost a year! 6 months waiting for a surgery, then 6 months almost for recovery.
Since the surgery was just to reconnect my MCL, just so I could walk on my own again, I experience severe and excruciating pain in my left knee/leg on a daily basis.
GOD BLESS you and all your hard work and time, finding the right mix to invent this salve recipe!
I made my first batch two months ago. It came out perfectly. I made a double batch with desperate hope that it would really be a “miracle”. I have to say I was not disappointed!! Not one bit! I made 16, 2oz jars. My husband and I share the salve and I have given 10+ jars to people I care about who complain about aches and pain. I am now gearing up to make more because very one loves it!
I have even added tea tree oil to help with my moms skin issues. Since I moved her to the desert with my husband and I her skin got worse so I hooked her up with her own jars with the tea tree oil! 🙂
So the first time I tried the salve, my knee was killing me!!! I could not sleep, it hurt to walk,… And after I got the salve applied, I laid down to wait to see what was going to happen,.. And I woke up the next day, pain free. It worked so well, I cried. I mean I flat out sobbed!!
I have lived with this sickening pain for almost 4 years, and here it feels like your slave has saved my life! I carry a jar everywhere! In my purse, my car, my husband even carries one in his work truck!
You have got me so excited over the healing properties, of natural things, I want to figure out how to add shea butter and maybe even jojoba oil. We do live in the desert! Thank you again, From the bottom of my heart! What You have done unknowingly for my family and myself, just doing what you love to do, is incredible and I can never find enough words to show you thanks and my eternal gratitude! You are an amazing person! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOURS!
Michelle – To say I am thrilled for you is an understatement. Like you, I add additional e.o.s to the base salve of rosemary, lavender and peppermint whenever I need a boost for extra healing.
One essential oil that has proven to be powerful for pain is marjoram. The nice thing is that marjoram is one of the really inexpensive oils – just add in the same proportion as the others (5 drops to a 2 oz. jar or 10 to a 4 oz. jar).
Please keep in touch and let us know how you are doing.
Hi! I was wondering how you think it would effect the consistency to add some aloe gel to this recipe? Do you think it will make it separate due to not being an oil? Also I wanted to infuse the olive oil with broadleaf plantain before making it. What are your thoughts on that? Thanks!
Kiera – I can’t comment on the Aloe Vera specifically but it seems to me the beeswax would act as a binding agent. You might want to try some to a single jar and see what happens. Infused olive oil is another story – I know for sure that works. I have used EVOO infused with oregano leaves (after they have been dried. Keep experimenting and let us know how it all works out.
I have read that rosemary increases blood pressure and as that is a medical issue I have, is there another oil I could substitute for the rosemary? Thanks for posting this, I am so anxious to try it out!
Try Marjoram essential oil which, by the way, I often add to my basic recipe because it is a good pain reliever (and modestly priced as well). Another good one to use is Melaleuca (tea tree).
I forgot to click the box to notify me of follow-up comments.
Gaye, firstly gratz on your amazing site, and thank you too for you wealth of advice.
If I may, I’d like you try adding some Turmeric oil, to complete the ultimate miracle salve. Topical turmeric salves and ointments can help reduce localized inflammation caused be acne. It has anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties that help treat wounds and hasten healing, and preventing spread of infection. Turmeric and aloe vera combine to make a soothing paste for sunburned skin and even help with bruised skin. There are chemicals in turmeric that can decrease the swelling or inflammation and redness caused by various skin conditions including eczema.
So another great all rounder with amazing properties.
Dusty – I have seen some recipes for salves using turmeric that has been infused in olive oil. Is that what you suggest or do you use turmeric essential oil. The latter is a bit more difficult to source but doable.
I definitely want to give this a try an will report back on the results. The only problem is I don’t have anything at the moment that needs healing which is, I suppose, a good problem to have.
Did you ever get an answer to this or experiment yourself? Infuse olive oil or use essential oil (which I had no idea existed)? If infusing do you use Turmeric powder or whole Turmeric root for the infusion? Thanks Loving all of this info!
Gaye can you help me? I have serious pain in muscle and joints. Which salve do you recommend for me. I just bought the ingred. for the Miracle Healing Salve but you also have an Achy-Breaky Salve. Which one do I make?
Thank You for all the info. you put out!!!!
Cher
I had a dental emergency and am not at home where I have all of my recipes plus my big fat desk reference manual for essential oils. So, based on memory, what I would do is add 10 drops of Lemongrass to the basic healing salve (2 oz jar) or 20 drops to the 4 oz jar. Through trial and error, I have found that Lemongrass is a wonder-oil for muscle aches. (Plus it is one of the less expensive oils.)
If it is more of an arthritic pain (deep joint pain), I would use a combination of birch, geranium, and something else (lemongrass??) in roller ball mixed with FCO. Let me know and I will look up the exact recipe for you next week. FCO = Fractionated coconut oil.
Could you use arrowroot powder instead of the beeswax?
Pam – Sorry, I do not have any experience with arrowroot powder. Perhaps someone else knows the answer?
I completely forgot to add the vitamin e. What is the shelf life without it? I could remelt it, but I am worried that would affect the quality of the oils I put in.
I mostly leave out the vitamin E these days. I make small batches and use it up so quickly that there is no change of spoilage. In the heat of summer (and it is rarely that hot where I live), I store my spare jars in the fridge. Even so, I think that since I use a batch up within 3 months, there is problem.
I really do need to write an update to the article based upon current trial, errors, and new formulations over and beyond the basic healing salve (which is still my favorite).
Gaye, I just made this yesterday, and it still has hardly set up. It’s been almost 24 hours. I followed the recipe to the T. I am wondering if more beeswax should be added? It’s pretty liquid actually. I want to remelt it, but what about the oils that I added? will those be compromised?
I am very surprised that it did not set up. Two questions: what type of beeswax did you use and how hot is it in your home? My home is pretty cool so it sets up in about 6 hours. You could try putting a jar in the fridge to see if it sets up that way. My guess, however, is that something is up with beeswax.
I have successfully remelted my salves so I could add additional oils. Just remember to use low heat and take it slowly. I have also used the microwave, watching it closely. Once, however, I spilled the entire jar of liquid salve removing it from the microwave so I don’t do that anymore; what a mess!
As long as you do not boil the oils, they should be okay. Like I said, reheat the salve slowly on low heat in a pan of water. I don’t know the size of your jars but you could experiment with one jar to see what happens. After adding the extra wax, put it in the fridge and see if it begins to set. up okay.
I have made salves with 100% olive oil and they still set up so this is puzzling to me.
I don’t know what happened. I keep my house at 68-70F and used 5tbsp (tablespoons) of beeswax like you said. The stuff was VERY runny, and all my ingredients were organic.
What I did is grate another 1 3/4 cup beeswax, and melt it at a low heat. I poured all the balm out into another container and mixed it up. In the containers I used, i did put squeeze two vitamin e capsules into each one, and a couple more drops of oil to make sure it still smelled ok. Did that this morning and they set up just fine, but just to be sure, I put it in the fridge. Nothing is wrong with my beeswax, I just wonder if the original recipe doesn’t call for enough? Either way, I just tweaked it to make it work for me. More beeswax seems to be better for me.
Okay, now this is making sense. My recipe uses beeswax pastilles and not grated beeswax. My guess is that volume by weight is not the same. When I get back home, I will weigh out some of the beeswax pastilles (although I thought I had done so already for someone) so if a person is using grated beeswax, they can measure out the proper amount.
Thanks for letting me know.
Great stuff! Takes most of the ichiness from mosquito bites away for me and I have no bumps 24 hours later where I used to have bumps for days. After I had some skin removal surgery, it served triple duty -the oiliness helps with ouchless bandaid removal if I smear some around the edges of the bandaid before removal; it also immediately soothes the red irritated regular skin from a “bandage hickey” where the edges have been getting pulled on by adhesive all day; and it helps retain moisture for the growth of new skin and is antibiotic on the healing wound itself. Mine has tea tree and a little ‘thieves’ oil in it extra, 3 drops per 2 oz jar each oil.
Hi Gaye, I love your stuff; thank you. Have you priced out what each of your 2-oz jars cost to make? I made 18 4-oz jars for a crafts fair and they came out to about $3.06 for each jar. I used organic coconut oil, organic EVOO, 10d lavender, 10d rosemary, 10d peppermint, 10d melaluca, and 10d jojoba oil. The reason I made 18 4-oz jars is because I found 18 4-oz jars at a thrift store for 20 cents each. I don’t know how to price these. Any input from you or your readers is welcome. Oh, by the way, I did give you credit on the flyer I am putting on the table next to the jars 🙂
First off, great score on the jars. I have started to use small mason jars myself but have had to pay full retail 🙂
I have seen similar salves sold for $24.95 for 4 ounces although that did include shipping. Amazon has some that run $6 an ounce and more. Because you should factor in your time, I would think $10 – $12 ????
When I make my next batch, I am going to determine my costs as well.
I have come to realize that my $6.00 per jar price is considerably lower than ‘what the market will bear’. I read a blog where someone made a similar salve (with only 3 oils, not 4) and sold them for $20. She said they sold like hot-cakes. I will be curious for your follow up comments when you do get around to pricing yours. Thanks for everything.
Marianne – Just to be clear, I meant pricing as in cost and not to sell. (Although my husband, Shelly, has been on my case to sell small jars for the longest time. Many readers have asked about it …)
we are talking about the same thing, exact price to make including everything from container, label, carrier oils, essential oils. Thanks for everything.
Hello Gaye!
I wanted to know if I can make this amazing salve into a cream without losing it’s effectiveness and healing effect? I do exfoliate pretty often and this would be perfect for using as a moisturizer for face and body.
Happy new year!
Dreama
One suggestion is to use 100% coconut oil and then whip the salve with a hand mixer until it is fluffy and cream like. This has really worked well for me.
On the other hand, I use it as-is as face and body moisturizer. After about a week, it is no longer greasy on the skin. I suppose this is because my skin has adapted but also, the olive oil and coconut oil have lots of healing qualities of their own and our skin just drinks them in. Amazing, really. I wish I understood the science a little better.
I’m a little confused, are you whipping just the coconut oil (100%) or the blend of coconut oil and olive oil to use as moisturizer? Which one is no longer greasy on your skin after a week or so? Curious for a few reasons… Also if it’s just the pure CO does whipping it make it stay a creamy consistency instead of hardening in the cooler weather or does it behave the same way as it does without being whipped when it comes to changing “room” temperatures? Thanks!
Whipping the coconut oil only version makes it very silky. It will still melt at temps over 76 degrees if you do not add beeswax. It does stay fluffy but yes, if cold enough it will harden. I have never tried whipping the coconut oil and olive oil version.
None of my salves are oily on my skin five minutes later.
The bottom line is that you just have to experiment. Your climate and your skin may react differently than mine. There are tons of variations and I am sure you can find one that works for you.
I have had acne breakouts my entire life and I am now what is considered “elderly”. I am beginning to think I may have Rosacea and am wondering if the Miracle salve might be beneficial for treating that skin condition. I have made and have been using the salve on my dry foot skin with excellent results. Any information you might have is sincerely appreciated!
For Rosacea, my first thought was to make up a salve with Frankincense, Geranium, and Lavender. You can also add a few drops of Frank and Geranium to the basic healing salve and see how it goes. Do not be afraid to experiment.
T
Thanks very much for your prompt response. I will try your suggestion as I have those EOs on hand. I’m thankful to have discovered your wonderful website!
Hi Gaye, Its nice to see another PNW prepper. Thank you so much for all the wonderful info you have given us. A few questions I am hoping you might be able to answer for me or someone reading this, maybe I can figure it out. I made the salve as directed with addition of shea butter, but the oil amounts all still equaled the same. Meaning it was still 2 cups worth. It has had a hard time setting up as well as I would like for a salve, but I am also using beeswax sheets that were gifted to me. I am thinking that I need to put it all back into a pot and add more wax on low heat? But if I do that, will I reduce the medicinal value of the oils? Also, after reading some of the readers suggestions, I was curoius about what might happen if I add Turmeric in the power form (since that is the ony way I currently have it). I read that if a salve is too oily, to add cornstarch and I am wondering if it would work in the same manner and also give the healing of the herb. Last question and I apologize for such a lengthy post, but I also happen to have Frankincense in the resin form. I am wondering if I can add that also and have it melt with the oils? Any thoughts on this would be ever so helpful.. thank you so much!
Hi Victoria, I’m not as experienced as Gaye and I know you are asking her but since she is usually so quick to respond to peoples questions and I don’t see one here I’m thinking maybe she hasn’t seen your post or something since the original chain is older. I figured I would give you my 2 cents while your waiting for her to see it. First on the sheets of beeswax you used, there are two possibilities, one being that they might be for candle making and aren’t 100% pure beeswax (sometimes candle making supplies have other things mixed in), the other more likely issue is that the measurement is a little off being that you used sheets instead of the granules she is using, I know 1T of shavings comes out differently that 1T granules for instance. So your plan to add some more beeswax is probably a good one but it will be a bit of trial and error so maybe use say 2oz of your mixture to figure out what works best before changing all of it. That way if you don’t add enough extra beeswax you can try and if you add too much you know before doing it to the whole batch. Does that make sense? It got more confusing as it came out than it sounded in my head… 😉 Low heat in a water bath shouldn’t be hot enough to hurt the EO’s, just be patient and keep an eye on it. On the turmeric, I am anxious to try adding some as well but I’m thinking that adding the powder directly to a salve blend may not be the most effective way. First I’m thinking it may stain everything it comes in contact with skin, hands, fabric and I don’t know if the powder form not having been infused in one of the oils will even absorb into the body to offer it’s benefits. I may be wrong about this too but it seems to me that infusing either the root or maybe the powder into the olive oil and then straining it so there aren’t any undissolved particles left might be more effective. The other option that sounds promising is simply adding Turmeric oil providing it has all of the same properties (I had no idea it existed before reading about it here). I plan on doing some research about the oil to see how it compares to the other forms myself. But from using the powder in cooking I know it doesn’t dissolve well and stains everything. I don’t know about using the Frank resin but it’s worth researching a bit, Frankincense is such a wonderful substance and I know the resin is expensive so I wouldn’t want you to waste it too much by experimenting blindly. The concoction your making sure does sound fantastic and very beneficial though, good luck!
Thanks for filling in Gwyn. To be perfectly honest, I get about 300 emails a day and it is impossible for me to respond to every single one. I don’t mean to snub, but the reality is that the time it takes would be overwhelming. (It already is but that is another story).
I have been working with infused oil with my Cayenne salve and will be writing about it soon. The cayenne does not dissolve in the oil and must be strained through cheesecloth. I strained mine once but should have repeated the process since there are still granules in my salve. The salve is reddish in color but does not appear to stain. OTOH, I don’t feel any healing properties myself so I am continuing my testing process.
I have no reason to believe that Turmeric would be any different.
Hope this helps and please, add your two cents any time. It really helps me out more than you can know.
I wonder if using actual chili peppers to infuse the oil seeds and all might be better than using the powder for getting the full properties into the oil. Same idea as I was suggesting with the turmeric root rather than powder. I’ll be very curious to hear what you find. Thanks for letting me off the hook, I’m glad it was clear I was just trying to help (both of you) 😉
Don’t forget to let the mixture cool for a few minutes before you put the essential oils in. Heat kills some of the healing properties of the oils.
Hi Gaye,
My mother suffers from severe muscle asches and spinal disc herniation. Will this salve help? Do you have any advice on what can be done?
I love your site!
Mahad
I would crank things up a notch (actually a lot of notches) and use my birch salve. It has worked miracles on my husband’s arthritis pain. (It actually uses more than just Birch essential oil but it is the birch that we started with and kept adding until we receive optimal results.)
Here is a link: //www.backdoorsurvival.com/birch-essential-oil-for-arthritis-muscle-and-joint-pain/
Hi Gaye,
Love your site and the info you put on it. Thank you!
I made a batch of the MHS and it seems to have come out correctly. When I apply it to my skin it never really absorbs or fades. For instance if I check where I applied it 30 minutes later it’s still an oily patch and looks the same as when I applied it.
I normally allow it your sit a while and then wipe it off. Should the salve absorb into the skin or am I misunderstanding how it should work?
Thank you
Russ – Interesting. It should absorb within 5 or 6 minutes. Do you happen to live in a hot, humid climate? Sorry, but I have to ask if you are rubbing it in. Also, did you follow the recipe exactly or make adjustments.
Oh, here’s a question. Did you use regular coconut oil or the liquid form (fractionated coconut oil). If the latter, that indeed would be a problem. Let me know.
Gaye, thanks for such a fast reply.
I live in eastern PA so yes it does get humid except for winter of course.
The coconut oil I used was Nutiva Organic Virgin CO and the EVOO it was from the local store. I don’t remember the brand but do remember it said “cold pressed”.
I made no adjustments to the recipe (I’m not that creative LOL) and when applying it I rub it in although not for more than a few seconds. Perhaps I need to massage it in longer?
The CO and beeswax were both measured as solids. Not sure if that matters though.
I made the batch a few months ago (same issue when first made) so I’m probably due make a fresh batch. Besides my family thinks dad has gone off the deep end and become a “hippie medicinal nut” so I can have some more fun with them in making some. Wait until they see me making your birch salve 🙂
Regardless of my particular issue I have to say that even though I currently let it sit and then wipe off I do see great results so all’s not lost and I’m really happy I made it.
I believe your nailed it, Russ. You need to massage/rub it in for a minute or so. Try that and see if it disappears from the surface of your skin.
Everything else you did – including the ingredients – are perfectly fine. I have used the Nutiva coconut oil many times myself so I know that is not the problem.
I’ll give that a go then and see if it makes a difference. Like I said I’m going to make another fresh batch soon so I’ll be extra careful in my measurements also just in case I goofed last time.
Much thanks for your help.
Sorry to butt in but I had a similar experience with the salve I made with EVOO too. I tried substituting Avocado Oil for the EVOO with the next batch (I also made 1/2 a batch as I was experimenting) and found that that absorbed much better and didn’t stay feeling as greasy as I found the original recipe to be, for me. Not everyone seems to have this same problem and I don’t know why I do but I tried the avocado oil (I used a high quality cold pressed, I believe, oil I actually found at Costco after comparing several) because I read that it had properties closer to our own skin/body chemistry, was very good for the skin and I figured that might mean it would absorb well. Everything else I used was the same and it definitely absorbs better and just feels better. It doesn’t take as long for me to feel comfortable touching things when I rub some on my hands, I’m guessing you know exactly what I mean if you have had the same problem. It does help to rub it in as well of course but that just doesn’t seem to take as long. Also, a little goes a long way, that goes for both salves I think. I have to say I was disappointed when I made the first batch because I wanted to like it so much but was thinking it just wasn’t going to work for me until I tried subbing in the avocado oil.
Wow, this looks great. I have not gotten into essential oils yet, but maybe now is the time.
I thought of one more (possible) use for your oil. I have curly, frizzy hair, and now I swear by Argon Oil of Morocco, applied to damp hair, to make it curl instead of frizz. If this miracle formula worked for that … wow! The money I’d save!
I have kinky, frizzy hair. I have given up on hair serums in favor of coconut oil and patchouli essential oil (a single drop). My hair has never looked better.
(I too, was a huge fan Argon Oil as well as Biosilk. I still have a decent supply of each but use my coconut oil combo instead.)
I’m about to try your salve for the first time and I have a quick question. I’m not especially a fan of coconut oil so I plan to use jojoba oil. Do you think it will make a serious difference?
Not to worry. Coconut oil is often used because of its own healing properties but jojoba, hemp, sweet almond or even 100% Olive Oil will work. I have actually made the 100% olive oil version as a test and it was fine. I ended up using pure olive oil rather than EVOO because the batch I made with EVOO smelled like – duh! – olive oil.
Wow, thanks for the Olive oil heads up, I’ll let you know how it goes!
You might find that you need to increase the amount of beeswax though depending on the consistency you want. I know for me coconut oil is solid the majority of the year (Vermont) so it helps with the firmness. Straight olive or any of the others mentioned, I think, would make it much thinner, something a little more beeswax would compensate for easily. If that matters to you or is what your looking for of course. I don’t know how or if whipping it would change that.
By how much should I up the beeswax?
I have never made it without the coconut oil so I’m not sure, it may be a little trial an error unless you can find a recipe on line but I guess I might start with a couple of tablespoons. You could experiment with a smaller amount or just pour off one container leaving everything “naked” with no EO’s to see how it sets up and then rewarm the rest to either add more beeswax or pour into containers and add EO (if you plan to) if the consistency is right. Whatever you end up making will work and you can just make adjustments with the next batch (or not) too depending on what you want.
Well, I went for it! After reading all the comments I decided to just go for it the second I got the beeswax! Went with the jojoba oil and regular olive oil. I used lavender, rosemary and tea tree oils (what was on hand). Too much beeswax as it all set up to be very solid, more like a lotion bar. I still kind of like it so I’m keeping half and slowly rewarming the rest with more olive oil and castor oil….on a roll!
Hi, I just made a batch of this healing salve and it is in the cooling stage but it is not firming at all…..I did make an adjustment and used soy wax because I want to use this on my daughter and I was concerned about the beeswax causing allergy to bees since she is just 14 months. Also I did not use organic coconut oil or olive oil, just the virgin of both. What did I do wrong?
Did you grate the wax yourself? My guess is that you need to increase the amount of wax. That gets tricky because the oils have already been added.
In thinking about it, I would take a small amount of your oil and melt some additional wax. Then, when done, stir this into your salve and see if it firms up. You also might try putting it in the fridge to firm up.
It is definitely not your oils, I have used pure olive oil with no problem.
No I bought a large bag of pre-grated soy wax….I will try to melt some extra wax and add it to what I have already made and see if it helps…and I will put one in the fridge as well. Thank you and I will try to remember to post an update. And now that I think about it I did add an extra 2 tbl’s of wax when I was melting it to begin with so will have to try some more.
I think I have some soy wax somewhere around here. I will try to make a small batch to see what happens.
Thank you I appreciate you trying to help me figure this out..I am looking forward to using this and seeing how well it works!!!
So I did put one container in the fridge and it did help to set it up, it is solid right now, but i have taken it out of the fridge to see what happens when it gets to room temp. And I took the other 3 containers I made and added 3 tbls of wax to them and they are in the cooling process now. I will post again with the results.
what can i use as a substitute rosemary oil? Will eucalyptus or tea tree oil work?
The oils you choose really have more to do with the healing qualities you seek than a specific oil. The combination I use (lavender, peppermint, and rosemary) is a great all-around healer.
Instead of rosemary, I would suggest tea tree (Melaleuca). My second choice would be Marjoram but that is just me. If you enjoy eucalyptus and get some benefit from it, then go for it!
Have a Q, I do not have rosemary EO,nor do I have any Lavender EO, so my Q is, can I use another EO, like tea tree and eucalyptus EO together ???
Of course! You may use any combination of oils that you feel will give you the healing results you seek. Have fun with this!
Awesome, I am so new at this,that THIS is the first thing I am making ! Thank you so much !
I have another major Q…What if anything can I use if someone is allergic to bees ? instead of bees wax
AND allergic to soy …my sister is a pain lol
You might want to try Carnauba Wax. Something like this: //amzn.to/1dDzmIB. I have heard that it works well but need to order some to try it myself.
Gaye, do you sell your Miracle Healing Salve? I hunted around on your Web site, but didn’t see it for sale anywhere…but thought I’d ask since the pictures show you making up quite a number of containers of it! 🙂 I wouldn’t mind going to the trouble of making my own IF I knew it worked. I thought I’d see if I could buy one from you and do a trial run.
Sorry, I am not set up to make it and sell it myself. That being said, I am currently putting feelers out and am trying to find someone that can make and sell the branded product for me.
I love your recipes for salves. Could you give the ingredients by weight instead of cups and Tablespoons? Not everyone can use the same beeswax you recommend (for instance, it cannot be shipped to some countries) and coconut oil, since it is a solid, is difficult to measure accurately in a cup.
Thanks a lot
Clare – I will weigh everything the next time I make a batch, okay? I will try to remember to send you an email when that happens – probably in a few weeks.
Thank you Gaye, I look forward to seeing the weights.
Hello!I want to try this salve,but I need to know how much grams contains 1 cup.Thank you a lot.
HELP!! There are SO MANY comments on her that I got un-focused trying to remember what I wanted to ask. Can I make this recipe WITHOUT the pastilles??? I have all the ingredients except the pastilles. Thanks 🙂
Nancy – You will need some sort of beeswax (or if allergic, carnauba wax) so the salve will firm up. Alternately, you could skip the olive oil and just use coconut oil. BUT, if the temperature is over 76 degrees, you salve will become liquefied.
I forgot to check the NOTIFY box. I clicked not a spammer but spaced the other… grrr. This is my day today
Okay. Thank you!!!!
I noticed in your recipe for Psoriasis salve you mentioned 32 drops of Bergamot but in the actual how to recipe to make it, the Bergamot is not mentioned. When is that added? Thank you.
Instead of beeswax, could we possibly use shea butter, or would that not work at all? I have pustular psoriasis on my palms and bottom of my feet that is very painful. Thanks!
You could use Shea Butter or Carnauba Wax (useful if you have a bee allergy). Shea butter can be a bit tricky to work with and may not firm up as much as a wax but the healing benefits of the salve will still be there.
Have you seen this article: //www.backdoorsurvival.com/treating-psoriasis-with-essential-oils/?
I love this stuff! I personally omit the beeswax altogether and keep it as a liquid oil in a glass bottle in my bathroom. I find it absorbs faster and cleaner into my skin without the wax. I use it on everything from mosquito bites to sunburn, and I even find it helps with period cramps when I rub it into my lower abdomen. thankyou!
Hi Gaye,
This may have been askd before, I didn’t read all the comments. I was wondering if you ever make a smaller batch. I don’t have room to store a whole bunch of salve and live on the Gulf coast where we have to keep a lot of stuff in the fridge. Do you have a small-batch recipe?
To make a smaller batch, simply cut the ingredients down proportionately. You can do the same thing if you want to increase the recipe – just double the ingredients. Have fun with the salve – it is quite forgiving.
I found this on Pinterest estate as a post by either a man or your husband. His post was about Psoriasis and he added Bergamot to the Miracle Salve. Do you add that and the Mellaleuca oil for Psoriasis?
To make it more healing I would suggest making an infusion with herbs into the oil. In the spring poplar buds (i.e. balm of gilead) is perfect. Any poplar type tree works or willow type tree. The buds in the spring have the resin and once infused add antibacterial and pain relief qualities to the product. I also use chickweed and plantain weed and infuse that too. Plantain will reduce swelling and redness and instantly take the sting or itch out of any bug bite. Both plantain and chickweed aid in cell regeneration so it works with helping cuts and burns to heal faster. You can also try infusing calendula and comfrey as well. I just stick to balm of gilead, chickweed and plantain as I have a good source of them locally and can pick them all within 2 blocks of my house. I make enough balm to last me the year and use it for everything! I put in essential oils of lavender, rosemary and mint along with tea tree oil and lots of vitamin E. Read up on how to infuse herbs into the oil.
Hi are you selling these to the public? If so I would like to purchase one of yours to see how well it works for me and my hibby before venturing into making my own batch. Thanks so much! Pls email me
I just sent you an email but thought I would post a response here as well.
I wish I could sell some to you but as of right now, I am not set up to do so. It is all I can do to keep my website going and have a couple of hours of down time to relax at night. Trust me, you are not the first person to ask about this.
That said, I do appreciate that to gather all of the ingredients (beeswax, olive oil, coconut oil, jars) can be a big undertaking if you are unsure whether it will work. Plus, you need to add your essential oils, of course.
So here is the deal. I am going to see if I can acquire some sample sized “Base Salve” from Spark Naturals that I can send out. All you would need to do is purchase the oils (and the three used are not costly at all) and then you can make your own Miracle Healing Salve without going through the rigmarole of creating the base. This will save you both time and money.
As soon as I am set to do this, I will post a note on the blog as well as in these comments so everyone will know about it.
Finally, I just learned that today, Spark Naturals is having a free shipping sale for orders that have salves as part of the order. You might want to take advantage and purchase some base salve, lavender, peppermint, and rosemary and make your own salve that way. If you decided to do that, you still get a 15% discount using code BACKDOORSURVIVAL at checkout. Here is a link: //www.sparknaturals.com/?id=377
Good luck and please do stay in touch.
Awesome! Thanks so much! I’ll contact spark naturals & keep an eye out for your post on the samples. I also wonder if I can use the jarred -already melted beeswax I have & -remelt to mix in EOs as well as the coconut & olive oils?
Do you know if that would still work
Awesome! Thanks so much! I’ll contact spark naturals & keep an eye out for your post on the samples. I also wonder if I can use the jarred -already melted beeswax I have & -remelt to mix in EOs as well as the coconut & olive oils?
Do you know if that would still work?
It should as long as it is 100% beeswax. You might have to play with the amounts a bit but that is easy enough to do. Good luck.
BTW, my sample jars arrived this week so I should be making up the samples soon. I need to get some mailing envelopes and figure out the postage as well.
Gaye,
I am so excited that I stumbled across your website! I have recently tried EO’s and I am impressed with the natural qualities that they possess. I have chronic back pain and I can’t wait to try your healing salve! I would not consider myself a die hard prepper, but I do have a bug out bag prepared just in case. 🙂 This is one more item that I can add to my collection that i felt would be needed in case of emergency.
Cindy
Made my first batch of your salve a month ago and now I understand why you call it “Miracle Healing Salve”! Already it has helped eradicate some stubborn toenail fungus, moisturizes my hands and feet and seems to be diminishing age spots, and best of all it has helped heal an overworked sore and swollen wrist! The only thing I did differently was I added four drops of Frankincense. Thanks for this and your other essential oil information and recipes. Also appreciate all your other articles.
http://peterupdraft:8888/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/norma-1.html,I am thinking on using this salve for dealing with toenail fungus and also add the Frankincense as you mentioned. How often did you apply the salve?
This is Gaye. For toenail fungus I suggest adding some Melaleuca (tea tree) oil which is a powerful anti-fungal. Use the same number of drops as the other oils.
Thanks Gaye, an excellent suggestion. I still am wondering how often to apply this salve.
At least 2 times a day (morning and night) and more often if convenient. A nail fungus can be difficult to get rid of so do have patience. Even with meds, it can take a few months.
Thanks Gaye, I’m still full of questions, should I work the salve all around and under the nail? And, would you suggest 5 drops per 2 oz jars? Thanks ever so much.
I apply the salve twice daily, rubbing it into the affected nail (I also use it as a moisturizer on my feet). I also 2-3 times per week soak my feet in a warm basin of water to which 6-10 drops of either tea tree or oregano essential oil have been added, then scrub well with a tea tree soap. You must keep this up until all the fungus is gone. I have made the mistake of stopping when it was nearly gone and it came back. It doesn’t get rid of it I don’t think but rather it keeps it from spreading so the object is to keep it from spreading until it is gone because of the nail having grown out to the part where there is no fungus. One thing I have learned recently is you must be sure to use a good quality essential oil or it will not be useful in this application. I use the Spark brand and it seems to work well. Hope this helps!
I use Dr. Bronner’s coconut oil to cook with, would this be a good coconut oil to use for the mixture? Also, along the lines of olive oil, can you just use the Bertoli’s from the Grocery store?(As long as it is EVOO)
Yes to both questions.
Do you have another suggestion for lavender? I really hate the smell of it. I know I could leave it out, but it does have useful properties, so I thought I’d ask. Thanks!
I did want to think about this before responding so I apologize for the delay. I would try geranium essential oil. It is very mild, smells a bit like roses but is not overpowering, and has some terrific therapeutic qualities. As a matter of fact, both geranium and marjoram are my list to feature next in a uses and tips article.
Here are some of the qualities of geranium: //www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/essential-oils/health-benefits-of-geranium-essential-oil.html
Hope this helps.
I am getting reports that some folks are getting a blank page instead of the article. If you see this, will you kindly let me know?
I can see the page, Gaye.
Thank you for the recipe! I am looking to make something for my brother who is having extreme issues with his hands (probably caused from the conditions that he works in – extreme moisture, then extreme dryness, and very dirty – he’s an asbestos abatement worker). He has a spot covering almost his whole palm which is extremely dry and cracked , to the point that it bleeds. It has been there for months. My question is- would this recipe be appropriate? Even as an open wound? It seems like the peppermint might burn a bit?
I would definitely give it a try. The peppermint essential oil should not burn because this is not a strong dilution. I don’t know the science behind it but something about the combination of these three oils allows the sum of them together to work as though there were a lot more oil in the salve than there is.
In addition to the salve, you might try to my Healing Body Butter which includes Shea butter. I only recently made this up and find it to be extremely emollient. I am using it instead of hand cream. It goes on as though it is going to be greasy but it absorbs almost immediately and is not at all sticky. I keep jars in my pocket, purse, backpack, pretty much everywhere. Here is a link: //www.backdoorsurvival.com/how-to-make-an-awesome-healing-body-butter/.
By the way, I have another article featuring lavender, peppermint, and rosemary coming up on Tuesday so you will want to watch for it. I am hoping to include printable copies of the recipes.
I tried reading through the comments to see if someone else already mentioned this site, but abandoned the effort about halfway through. (too long) Just in case you don’t know yet, there is a site with great prices on a variety of ingredients you use (even if you ignore their essential oils completely because you like your source more)that I’ve been wanting to tell you about. Not usually one to comment on a website, but have you ever used http://www.bulkapothecary.com? Thank you so much for all you do. I was raised in Sequim and love the PNW with all my heart. Live in CT now, so at least I’m blessed to be back in the trees.
You may want to give myhrr a try on the psoriasis. Worked for me.
I was wondering if this recipe could also be used as a healing cream after getting a tattoo. A friend of mine is having a tattoo party later this month and I thought this would be something good to give her. (No tats for me, I’m too scared.) Would the peppermint essential oil sting or should it be replaced with tea tree oil or something else? I am still rather new to this but love the body butters I have made so far and would like to branch out. Thanks….
Thank you for this article and to everyone who posted comments (so helpful)! I’m going to try making this today. I’ve been gathering all of the ingredients. My problem is psoriasis on my scalp. I also have it on my elbows, knees, and ears. I’m like a walking snow globe some days! I’m working on dietary solutions to calm inflammation which the Naturopath says contributes to this auto-immune condition. The allopathic dermatologist prescribes the strongest steroid cream plus UV light treatments. The steroid creams gave me little bumps around my eyes. The doctor denied the two were linked, but when I looked up causes there was my condition, clearly. The specialist of course says that psoriasis in incurable and can only be “treated.” The Naturopath is trying to treat it from the inside out (mostly through detox and “leaky gut” type supplements), the specialist treats it mostly topically. So, I am excited to try this topical salve since I am a big believer in the fact that not all treatments/cures need to be patented and profitable to work. I did have to dig around your article for the additional psoriasis ingredients, which look to be 5 to 10 drops Melaleuca and 32 drops bergamot, and possibly geranium oil as a substitute for lavender if one prefers. 32 drops of bergamot per salve container? I was a little bit puzzled by that as it seem like a lot. I may make the first batch a little less potent.
Nicole, when I stopped consuming gluten my psoriasis disappeared. Then I got lazy, eating whatever I wanted and it came back. Read Wheat Belly Meals in 30 minutes or under by William Davis M.D. It will change your life. Good luck to you.
Why is there 90 drops per 4oz jar of the other salves, such as Sleep salve, but this only would have 40?
Different oils behave differently. There is something about the synergy of Lavender, Rosemary, and Peppermint that makes the salve work with fewer drops of oil.
I made a batch of this lotion. I used lard instead of coconut oil. I added a squeeze of honey to this. I thought I had done something wrong because it was pretty thin consistency, even after cooling. I ended up reheating and added about 1/4 cup of raw beeswax. Well, it is stiffer. I realize now that either way it works fine. I learned that you need very little to use otherwise my hands are very shiny. I really really like this lotion. My hands are soft and I love that it is homemade with no chemicals. Thank-you for putting this recipe online!!
I just made this recipe and it worked great!! I opted to use what I had on hand which included refined beeswax (I used 6 1/2 T) and I substituted avocado oil for the virgin olive oil. Thanks so much! Have you posted any other recipes such as the tea tree ointment with lemon you mentioned? BTW, I’m a ballroom dancer as well 🙂
Hi!
I was wondering if you’d ever gotten around to figuring out the ingredients by weight? I tried reading through all the comments – there’s a lot! – and fifured if you had, you would’ve updated the recipe at the top. It’s mainly the beeswax I’m concerned about….Planning to make this for a friend that has terrible excema. Thanks so much!
I just googled around. I found a website that said 1T of pastilles = 9 g.
So the recipe would call for 45g.
//blog.andrewkoebbe.com/blog/beeswax-conversion
Hi Gaye,
I am new to EO but thus far love them. I am a retired nurse and avid gardener so this has been a natural fit. My husband has developed severe psoriasis on his soles and palms. I am experimenting here based on your recipes and my own research and made up this salve. I used cannabis infused olive oil, a small amount of almond oil and coconut oil as the base. I just grated the beeswax in. Ive added in tea tree, lavender, birch and geranium oils. It turned out beautifully. We’ve just started using it so we’ll see how it goes. Do you have any concerns about this combination? I will use it alongside your oregano/pachouli/coconut blend.
Can we add Frankincense or Tea tree oil to this?
I love this salve but I just wanted to warn those talking about using it on dogs. Tea tree and peppermint oil can be toxic to dogs PLEASE don’t add those oils if you intend to use this on your pets.
Have a friend that just got a deep cut on her eyelid where her cat scratched her. Any suggestions to promote healing? Mentioned to her about lavendar with some coconut oil.
Thank you for posting this how-to.
I’m curious why you felt the need to use Vitamin E as a preservative when you’re also adding rosemary EO, which is also sometimes used in products as a preservative.
I was also intrigued about your mention of marjoram EO as a pain reliever. Can that be added to the existing recipe or do you have to leave out one of the other oils?
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