Itch Relief Salve

This super salve was created to soothe and heal the skin.  Dry, itchy, irritated skin is no fun for kids and, as a parent, you need a remedy that works fast. This herbal packed salve is thick and nourishing.  It is designed to moisturize, soothe irritated skin, relieve itch and heal dry, cracked or damaged skin. It is helpful for itchy dermatitis, dry eczema, rashes, bug bites and other irritated skin conditions.

To make this salve, we are first going to infuse an oil with some lovely dried herbs that are great for the skin.  Then we are going to take that oil and turn it into a salve.

Tools Needed: Pint sized Mason Jar, Scale, Herb Grinder, Crock Pot, Muslin Cloth, Strainer & Cup or Bowl to catch the oil, Beeswax Chopper, Small Saucepan, Clean Salve Containers

Ingredients: 
Approx. 12 fl. oz Olive Oil
0.5 oz net wt. dried Lavender Flowers
0.5 oz net wt. dried Plantain Leaves
0.3 oz net wt. dried Calendula Flowers
1 oz net wt. Beeswax 
2 Tbsp Raw Shea Butter
10 drops Lavender Essential Oil

Lavender is soothing to the skin, anti-bacterial and helps to relieve itch.

Plantain is moisturizing, soothing to the skin, anti-bacterial, heals damaged skin and helps to relieve itch.

Calendula is soothing, anti-inflammatory and heals damaged skin.

Shea Butter is one of the best moisturizers for the skin.  It is thick and heavy. It is anti-inflammatory and soothing for itchy rashes & dermatitis.

Directions:

Weigh out herbs on a kitchen scale.

Process herbs in a grinder (vitamix, coffee bean grinder, mortar & pestle).  Just chop them up a bit to create more surface area.  You don’t need a fine powder.

Put the processed herbs into the pint sized mason jar, and fill the jar completely with olive oil.  Stir well and lid.

Place the jar in a crock pot water bath.  Turn the crock pot on low.  Gently heat the oil for 4-5 hours, stirring frequently.

Remove the jar and allow the herbs to settle to the bottom before pressing.  Pour the oil through muslin cloth to strain out the herbs.  Squeeze to get all the liquid. Discard the herbs.

Measure 1 cup of infused oil and put it into a clean, dry mason jar.  Measure and chop the beeswax if necessary.  Add it into the oil.

Gently heat the oil & beeswax together in a double boiler until the beeswax is completely melted.

Add 2 Tbsp of Raw Shea Butter and immediately remove from the heat.  Stir vigorously until the shea is completely melted.  Add 10 drops of Lavender Essential Oil.

Stir well and pour into containers.  Allow the salve to cool completely before putting the lids on. Yields approx 10 fluid ounces of salve.