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The essential oils of most aromatic herbs contain the active ingredients that are beneficial in medicines. Steam distillation is done commercially to extract the oils, and these oils are much stronger than concoctions made at home, so adjust accordingly if you are using a prepared herbal oil.
To make your own herbal oils and ointments, combine about 4 ounces of the fresh (or 2 ounces of dried) herb with 1 pint of olive, safflower, or other pure vegetable oil. Heat gently, uncovered, for about one hour. For oil, strain and bottle when cooled. For a thicker ointment, add 1 to 1-1/2 ounces of beeswax to the mixture as it heats. Let cool and bottle appropriately.
Occasionally, lard is used instead of the vegetable oils. If your recipe calls for this, use 2 ounces of fresh herb (or 1 ounce of dried) in 3/4 pound of fat. Heat slowly, and when the herbs have broken down, strain and let the mixture set. Again, beeswax can be added while the mixture is still warm for a firmer ointment.
How to Make Herbal Oils & Ointments
"Obstacles cannot crush me. Every obstacle yields to stern resolve. He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind."
-- Leonardo da Vinci
Pain Reliever Salve - The yarrow plant contains achillein and achilleic acid. These substances reduce the clotting time of blood, so they help stop any bleeding. Yarrow also has pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties that are similar to aspirin. Mix together 1 once of chickweed (reduces inflammation and aids in healing), 1 ounce of wormwood (a great pain reliever), and 1 ounce of yarrow (an anti-bacterial agent that also helps relieve pain). Add the mixture of herbs to 2 pints of olive oil and simmer 3 hours. Strain and add 3 ounces of beeswax and 1 teaspoon of tincture of benzoin. Test for consistency before pouring into wide mouth containers.
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