The best herbal remedy I have come across is a pain salve. It is natural, made from herbs you make and pick yourself, and you don’t have to take any more pills. You also have the enjoyment of getting outdoors to pick your ingredients. You have the ability to control it’s strength.
Do you like pills?
If you hate taking pills for your pain, this is for you. Pain is debilitating and causes interruptions in your life. Then on top of that, you have to take time out to take pills and hope they work. I have a way you can get away from taking so many pills.
You will be surprised at what I have learned. Have you ever wondered what you can do with the plants in your front yard? You can create wonderful concoctions for your skin, hair, and health right from your front yard or close to it. No matter your pain, ailment, skin problem or even mental problem. There is an herb or combination of herbs that can help.
Why Try It?
Today I’d like to share an herbal salve I make for pain. I use it on my arthritic hands and back. I use it wherever it hurts. Actually, I use it for more than pain. Several years ago, I was doing our taxes by hand. My hands became so sore that I couldn’t open or close them without pain. I was taking Tylenol too often and looked into a more natural remedy. I found a salve recipe. After some research on herbs, I tweaked it a little to have more pain relief. It worked! I put it on at bedtime and by morning my hands were pain-free. That was fifteen years ago. I still use it and so does my sister. She also uses it on her hands and any other pain that pops up. It isn’t as fast working or last as long per dose, but it does work with no side effects.
My Discovery
This past summer, I have major back surgery. It ended up being a horrible experience having a staff infection after I got home from the hospital. For some reason I had quite a lot of itching related to the surgery. I used the salve on the areas and it gave me tremendous relief when nothing else would. During the healing process I also used it for the itch that comes with healing. I never would have imagined it would have so many uses.
A friend of mine has Scleroderma which can be very painful. He uses the salve when it flares up on his arms and wrists. His arms and wrists become so painful he can’t use them. This salve gives him relief for hours or sometimes days. Before he would have to stop doing whatever he was doing and do nothing until the pain was gone. Now he can apply the salve, sit for a while and then go on with his day. He swears by it.
Let me give you a little history and explanation of my newest undertaking.
History of Using Plants
Every civilization since the beginning of time has searched for remedies to cure ailments. The history of herbalism is complex and vast. The exact time frame of when it began is not authenticated. Yet, throughout the ages, explorers have found various pieces of evidence of time and place. Archaeologists have found stores of oils, plants, and powders believed to have been used for many purposes.
Findings have shown evidence of herbalism from as far back as 30,000 years ago in the Paleolithic times. This evidence shows it was used in everyday life with plants familiar to us today. Shamans of Native American tribes were the medicine keepers. It was their responsibility to know and use herbalism. The oldest written history found has been from the Sumerians over 5000 years ago, etched on clay tablets. (Herbalism: A History – How Herbalists Of The Past Paved The Way For Today)
Herbalism, did not start with the latest craze of wanting to “be one with nature”. It has a very long and distinguished history and is now beginning to be utilized in modern culture. Many of our current pharmaceuticals have a base in herbalism.
My Herbal History
When I started with medicinal herbs/plants, I had no idea how involved I would become. My sister and I started out several years ago berry picking in the woods. She would make jellies with them. We started looking into the benefits of these berries like Chokecherry, Elderberry, and Hawthorn berries. She didn’t want to do the regular strawberry, raspberry, blackberry jellies. I was amazed with the benefits these simple berries had. Then my research grew.
I started going out and picking a particular plants for a specific ailments. I was able to find some of them out in my yard. I would also go off into the mountains and wander in the beauty. Doing much research, I learned about more plants, what they did, what they looked like, and where to find them. Spring is so exciting with all the plants growing. I know it will be soon when I can go gathering again.
Foraging
There is something satisfying about using a product for healing you made from plants you collected. It gives you a feeling of reassurance you can survive if anything happens. Knowing hundreds of years ago people were doing the exact same thing for the same reason with the same plants. It amazes me how they figured out or knew what these plants do. With this information, you know you have the ability to care for yourself and your family if the situation arises. It isn’t everything, but it is a place to start.
Having described a particle of the history of herbalism, here is the recipe for my pain salve. It’s not just for pain either. It is a blood stop, itch relief, and pain. I will post how to make the herb-infused oils below.
Herbal Pain Salve Recipe
In my research of using medicinal herbs my focus was on a pain remedy. I was tired of taking pills that didn’t work. I didn’t want to take pain medications. There are several plants in that department.
The one I found to be the best, historically used is Yarrow. Yarrow has been used for centuries, as far back as Ancient Greece. Next, White Willow Bark. It includes salicin which is part of what is found in aspirin. Devil’s Claw Root is reported to have anti-inflammatory properties and helps with osteoarthritis. The two hardener oils have their own special properties that help transfer the herbal properties through the skin. Bees wax protects the skin without blocking pores. The skin still breaths but is protected. Cocoa butter is a great moisturizer, has vitamin E, and makes a great hardener for salve.
Unfortunately, no two herbal plants have the same amount or strength of the chemicals that are medicinal. Your salves/oils can be a little different each time.
Don’t be discouraged by the green color. The Yarrow (and the lighting) is the culprit. It actually goes on almost clear.
Ingredients:
- 2.5 oz. Yarrow Infused Oil
- 2.5 oz. White Willow Bark Infused Oil
- 2.5 oz. Devil’s Claw Root Infused Oil
- 3 Tbsp. Bees Wax
- 3 Tbsp Cocoa Butter
- Scent of choice (I use a combination of Eucalyptus essential oil & Lemon essential oil. About 20 drops of each.)
Preparation
When measuring out your oils make sure you use a kitchen scale. It is weight measurement. Melt Cocoa Butter & Bees Wax on low heat. Add oils, heat until blended. Add scent. Pour into clean containers. This should make 8 oz. of salve. Now enjoy!
Preparation time is about 20 minutes. It takes about 24 hours to cool and set up completely. Then, you can use it when and wherever you need to.
Making Infused Oil
For your herb infused oils it is very simple. Collect or buy fresh dried herbs. There are plenty of recipes out there for whatever you want to make. You can use any carrier oil for this. I use either Olive or Grapeseed, depending on what I am making.
Once you have your herbs, cut them or break them up into smaller pieces about 1/4 inch in size. The more surface area for the oil to pull the chemicals out of the plant the better.
Place the herbs in a clean glass jar with a lid, full to the top. Pour the oil to fill the jar. Use something to disturb the herbs and let the air out. Make sure the oil is to the top. Air can cause mold.
You can place it in a warm, dry, dark space for 6-8 weeks.
Alternatively, use a crock pot filled with water. Make sure it covers the top of the jar. Let it sit for 72 hours on low. If you use the crock pot method, put a hot pad or pot holder under the jar. This precaution keeps the jar from breaking. Be careful when taking the jars out. They will be very hot. Do not put on a cold surface.
To Conclude
Herbal medicine has been used in civilization for thousand’s of years. In every country, for every malady. The has to be a reason it has the history it has. It works. It’s easy, and you find the plants everywhere. It is used for health, skin, hair, mental health and more. Did you ever wonder why people no longer use it?
When dealing with natural herbal products, not everyone will experience the same result. No matter how you make it, living more naturally with herbs will make a definite impact on your life. There are enough chemicals introduced to our bodies, why not remove as many as possible. Even if it is only one item you introduce that is natural, you have made an improvement. Going out in nature to pick your plants is better than going to the store.
I hope you have the same relief with your salve as my family, friends, and I have had. There is a reason herbal medicine has been around for centuries. So give it a try and let me know how it turns out and what you think about it.
If you have any questions or suggestions, please send me a note at the bottom of the page.
References:
Historical review of medicinal plants’ usage – PMC
Disclaimer: I am not a Registered Herbalist. There is always the possibility of allergic reaction. Before using any Herbal medicine, talk to your medical professional.
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