As you may know, humans have employed herbs in the practical healing arts since our primal days. Apothecaries, herbalists, botanists and traditional healers through the ages have harvested roots, berries, seeds, leaves, bark and flowers for use in a wide range of preparations to help with wound healing, troubling skin conditions and other illnesses, ailments and minor injuries.
When proprietary “over the counter” products—patent medicines—became hugely popular in the United States, starting from about the mid-nineteenth century, drugs and remedies were entirely unregulated. This meant manufacturers could use dubious ingredients and make sweeping, often fictional health claims about their products. As noted by the Smithsonian Institute, many patent medicines were alleged to be “cure-alls,” with their producers
falsely claiming that they corrected a wide range of disease states.
The history of herbal medicines
Once legislation was enacted in 1912 that prohibited manufacturers from making fraudulent therapeutic claims, such “cure-all” products began to disappear from the market landscape. However, numerous botanical salves, liniments and ointments produced during the same period remained popular because they were comparatively safe and effective. These topical preparations, which were generally used to treat common skin, scalp and hair problems, were precursors to the over-the-counter skin care and first-aid ointments in use today.
A Frontiers in Pharmacology study reveals that
80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In Germany, for example, up to 700 plant-based medicines are available, many of which are prescribed by some 70% of German physicians. In the past 20 years in the United States, we have seen an increase in herbal medicine use, partly due to public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to more natural healing approaches.
The many uses of herbal balms
So how can we benefit from the medicinal wisdom the ancients have passed down over the centuries? One clever way to do so is to learn more about a time-honored, natural healing remedy: herbal balms. These are typically made from infused herbal oils combined with beeswax?or a plant-based alternative?to ensure that the final product is solid at room temperature. Herbal balms have traditionally been a first line of defense for treating:
- Minor wounds, scrapes and cuts
- Poison oak, poison ivy or sumac reactions
- Cracked and dry skin
- Minor burns and sunburn
- Hives, psoriasis or eczema
- Insect bites, stings, sores and inflamed bunions
- Blisters, boils, abscesses and minor skin ulcers
- Skin conditions from diaper rash to fungal infections, such as ringworm
How to make herbal balm
If you are concerned about chemicals and preservatives commonly found in mass market skin-care products, DIY herbal balms offer a great solution as they typically require few ingredients, they are fun to assemble and they can be customized to your needs depending on the herbs and oils you choose. And your timing is ideal, as they also make superb holiday gifts! Happily, herbal balms come together quickly with a few simple ingredients. To prepare them, you will need:
- Glass Mason jars
- Grapeseed, sweet almond or jojoba oil
- Beeswax or for a vegan product, candelilla plant-based wax
- Dried roots, herbs and flowers for infused oils, such as peppermint, comfrey, chamomile, lavender, ginger, rosemary, echinacea, skullcap, rose petals with green tea, hibiscus, whole jasmine flowers, calendula petals, astragalus root, dried orange peel, rosehips, elderflower, valerian root, cayenne powder, etc.
- Essential oils like lavender, rose geranium, Ylang Ylang, jasmine, eucalyptus, sandalwood, peppermint, lemon, sweet orange, frankincense, tea tree or this luscious Peace, Love & Flowers blend
- Containers such as balm tins, small glass jars, lip balm tubes, etc.
DIY herbal balm steps
Place a generous scoop of selected herbs in a glass Mason jar, then fill it with your carrier oil of choice. If you prefer a more exact ratio, think 1-2 tablespoons of dried herbs per cup of oil.
Grapeseed oil is the most cost-effective choice; it is also very well absorbed through the dermal layers, making it an excellent carrier for herbal wellness benefits. Grapeseed oil is also less perishable than olive oil, so preservatives are not required.
Jojoba and
sweet almond oils are wonderful choices as well, since they are both highly nourishing to the skin, shelf-stable and well absorbed. They are, however, rather more expensive than grapeseed oil. When it comes to DIY topical products, always use food grade oils. Your skin is your largest organ of absorption and it will “eat” most of what you apply to it.
Place your jar in a cool, dark place to “marinate” for
4 to 6 weeks. This process gently extracts beneficial compounds from the herbs, retaining maximum therapeutic properties since there is no exposure to heat.
You should notice a visible change after a month, with the oil deepening in color as it becomes enriched by the nutrients, natural pigments and phytochemicals in the herbs.
If you prefer a faster process in making your herb-infused oil so you have time to prepare holiday gifts this month, you will fare better with the gentle heat method. Simply place dried herbs in a double boiler or slow cooker, cover with oil and simmer very gently for 30-90 minutes.
Herbal balms with essential oils
When you are ready to “harvest” your infused oil, allow it to cool and strain it carefully through a piece of cheesecloth, a nut milk bag or other strainer into a double boiler or heat-safe glass jar set into a saucepan of simmering water. Add your wax of choice, stir just until melted and remove the mixture from heat. Blend in the essential oils you have chosen and carefully fill your balm tins or whatever receptacles you plan to use. Voilà!
Again, your timing is splendid if you want to make some beautifully therapeutic gifts which you can tailor to the preferences of the recipients. You might consider a “Sleepy Balm,” featuring
lavender,
skullcap,
valerian and
passionflower; a “Rise & Shine” Balm with
peppermint,
rosemary,
lemon and
sweet orange oil; or “Serenity Now” Balm, with
comfrey,
chamomile and
elderflower, plus
jasmine oil, or this floral
bouquet blend. You may also try this balm-like
DIY muscle recovery rub as a soothing treat for athletes, yoga aficionados and weekend warriors.
So, get your supplies, set up your workspace, invite your kids, put on some fun tunes and have fun flexing your creative muscles, enjoying family time and saving money while preparing uniquely beautiful gifts of wellness. Happy celebrating!
