Satin's Herbal Medicine Recipes

General Things to Keep in Mind

Satin's Generic 'Everything' Ointment

This is one of the ointments I carry in my first aid kit at work and at the barn and is one of the easiest to make. It is excellent for chapped lips, cold sores, cuts, scrapes, etc.

Steep comfrey and calendula flowers in the oils on low to medium low all day - start it in the morning and let it cook while you do everything else. Adjust your burner to keep it heated but NOT boiling. Stir whenever you think of it. After it has spent the day "cooking", pour through strainer to get most of the bulk herb out of the oil. Then press the bulk herbs to get the last of the oil.

Put back on heat and add beeswax. Stir every so often until the beeswax is melted and mixed in well. Add 1200iu of Vitamin E or 10 drops lavender essential oil - either works well as a preservative - either is good for you. Stir to make sure it is well mixed.

Pour into jars, tins, whatever and let cool. Don't put lids on until it is cool! I put a towel over everything to keep it clean while cooling. Once cool to the touch, put the lids on and store.

Satin's Water Proof Ointment

This one is a little more of a "power" hitter. :-) It takes less time to make because most of the work is already in the tincturing. The base of this one makes it great for softening wounds, stopping bleeding or seepage. Excellent for the barn or for first aid on animals - if they lick it off, it won't hurt them at all (to my knowledge! Standard disclaimers apply). Another favorite for cold sores, chapped lips/hands, scrapes. This is also good for worse cuts and scrapes - just be VERY sure they are clean before putting anything with comfrey on it. Comfrey can make the skin heal so quickly that dirt is trapped inside the wound and will fester. That's why it is important to make sure the injury is clean first.

Melt petroleum jelly in double boiler. Once melted, remove from heat, stir in other ingredients. Pour into whatever containers you are using and allow to cool before closing the containers.

Pretty easy, huh?

Satin's Comfrey/Aloe Mega Ointment

For those times when you have road rash or have sunburned yourself to a nice 2nd degree burn, go for the max! :-) Use a double boiler for this one, too. I don't recommend this one unless you have a wine press or something similar, because it is a bear to press out, even with a press! :-)

Ingredients:

Stir periodically until the jelly is a deep green - at least 4 hours at low/medium low heat. Make sure all the ingredients are mixed in well.

Next comes the hard part. Press this one *while* the petroleum jelly is melted! If you let it cool enough to solidify, you will NEVER be able to press it out. Use rubber gloves and oven mitts, or whatever it takes to keep you from getting scalded, ok?

Pour into wine press and press out carefully. Strain, if needed, after pressing. Throw away the bulk herb - it is pretty well used up at that point. Pour into your chosen receptacles and let cool for a really long time - I recommend overnight - before capping/putting the lids on/whatever.

Satin's Muscle/Tendon Soother Lotion

Take your favorite lotion. I use the aloe/comfrey lotion I buy at Wise Woman Herbs in Colorado Springs, CO (719) 473-9702 and yes, they do mail order! Heat the lotion on the stove until it is warm, not hot.

Add:

(You can add enough beeswax to firm it back up, if needed.)

Let cool, pour into container. I keep a big bottle of this around the barn and the house. It works on my aching back, it almost eradicates bruised in 48 hours and it feels good going on! I make this for my neice for her scoliosis. WARNING: Do NOT - repeate do NOT use arnica in any form on broken skin!

Satin's Muscle/Tendon Soother Oil

Take your favorite oil. I usually go with grape seed for this, no particular reason. Heat the oil on the stove until it is warm, not hot.

Add:

Let cool, pour into container. I keep a big bottle of this around the barn. It works better on the critters, because the oil seems to work through a horse's coat better than the lotion. Also, I can set the bottle of oil in hot water in the sink to warm it a little, which my horse appreciates. YMMV, but I spent an hour gently massaging this into my horse's severely sprained ankle (he was a solid lump from knee to the ground) and the next morning it was gone! There was almost not swelling and it was neither hot nor painful to the touch. Even with as much faith as I have in herbs, I admit to being astounded - so was my vet! WARNING: Do NOT - repeate do NOT use arnica in any form on broken skin! Welp, that's pretty much it for now. I have a lot more recipes, but no more time right now. Hope this is helpful! Satin