Juniper, Plantain and Turmeric salve / ointment

[cuckoo996]

Been at the home remedies again
Here's a good all rounder for cuts, stings, burns and bruises :


To make:
15 fresh ribwort (lesser plantain) leaves
25g dried juniper berries, rehydrated overnight
½ tsp turmeric
100ml grapeseed oil
10g beeswax



Rehydrate berries overnight and strain in the morning, clean and chop plantain leaves.

Place in a double boiler along with the oil and turmeric.
( I don't own a double boiler so I use a cleaned tin can in a saucepan of simmering water.)

Simmer oil and plant mix for 2 hours, stir occasionally and do not let the contents burn.

Strain mix, keep oil and discard plant matter.
Return oil to double boiler and add beeswax.

Once beeswax has melted, pour into a suitable container, and allow to cool.

Use as needed on cuts stings burns and bruises. Keeps almost indefinitely but as a precaution discard after 1 year.



Does show up yellow, and can stain clothing, so if that's an issue just omit the turmeric.

 

[Paul N]

I brought a batch of this to the last spring meet. I added woundwort for extra va-va-voom!

 

[Paul N]

BTW: It needs to be ribwort plaintain, broad-leafed plaintain is not half as effective.

 

[cuckoo996]

BTW: It need to be ribwort plaintain, broad-leafed plaintain is not half as effective.

I forgot to mention that it's ribwort (lesser Plantain) not the broadleaf (greater Plaintain)
Thanks Paul I shall edit that now

 

[Ystranc]

I have some of the salve that Paul made and I am pleasantly surprised at how much it helps stings and scratches. It’s only a tiny pellet tin but it’s lasted well. I’m still using it.

 

[cuckoo996]

I brought a batch of this to the last spring meet. I added woundwort for extra va-va-voom!

What was in yours @Paul N ? Would you mind sharing?
I like collecting new recipes for home made herbals

 

[Paul N]

It was mostly ribwort plantain with a bit of woundwort added. My method varies from yours though: Chop up the leaves and steep in olive oil (just covering them), leave unenclosed in sunlight for about a week. Drain and strain off the oil, then add it to the melted beeswax such that it forms an ointment/salve. I over estimated the beeswax and it ended up a bit hard, but still usable.