Months ago, still winter time, Ellie and I began the process of creating a pine salve. Today, we finally got to finish it! Things that are good and worthy require some patience.
So here is the process first, then benefits and why you'd want to use it at the end.
SUPPLIES:
- 1 cup Pine infused oil (directions explain how to achieve this item(
- 1/4 cup Beeswax (pellets or blocks)
- Essential oil if desired. I added patchouli oil.
- Double boiler (or if you're like me and do not own one, a deep stock pot and a large second pot will work perfectly).
- Wooden stir stick
- Jars with lids. I used tin jars with lids. I made enough with my whole quart of pine oil to make 4 jars. I just repeated the recipe and steps four times.
STEP ONE:
Collect green pine needles off a pine tree. (Or any other evergreen such as Juniper for example!) Scrape off pine resin (pine pitch, pine sap). Smells SO GOOD!!!
Get a lot, enough to pack in a large mason jar.
Pack the mason jar full of the fresh green pine and pine resin then pour an oil complete over the top, filling the jar. You can use olive oil, coconut oil, sunflower oil, what have you.
Cover the jar, date it, and set it in a dark cabinet out of the way.
STEP TWO:
After at least 6 weeks, (I waited 3 months), Bring out your pine infused oil.
Set up your double boiler. Again, in my case, I don't own one, so I filled my deep stock pot with water and set it on the stove top to boil. Inside it, I placed my second more shallow pot which fit in the top perfectly.. Heat rises, you know, so the pot on top will receive that heat. In that top pot, pour your first 1 cup of pine oil, and your 1/4 cup of beeswax. (I did use pellets, for the record.) Stir slowly and constantly until wax is completely melted and mixed with the oil. At this point, add essential oil if you choose to do so. Stir it in. Then, carefully, slowly pour this first batch into your first jar and leave to set and cool. As it cools it will harden. When completely cool, place the lid on, label, and store in a bathroom closet or cabinet or medicine cabinet for later use.
THE BENEFITS:
So pine salve is awesome for drawing out infections, splinters, and inflammation. It reduces any pain or swelling the body may be experiencing; and it can also be rubbed upon the chest for chest congestion.
It also just makes your skin super soft!
Patchouli oil is also a winner of many benefits which I happily added to our salve. Patchouli oil is great for skin conditions such as dermatitis, acne, and dry skin. It aids in relieving depression and easing anxiety, giving relaxing vibes. It too has benefits for congestion relief so rubbing this salve with this essential oil upon a congested chest is a great idea!
Super easy to make and again, a lot of evergreen species can be used! Do some research on different kinds and find their benefits! Happy foraging!
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