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Doctoring on the Homestead

- An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure

by Lacey Thacker    

Let’s face it: at some point in life, there is a distinct possibility that you will, in fact, have to make a trip to the doctor’s office.  Surgery, a broken bone, stitches - these are situations an untrained person such as you or I would probably not want to deal with at home, nor should we.  However, whether you are living thirty miles out of town or in a town apartment, one should not have to run to the doctor for the everyday cuts, scrapes, and bruises that come from hard work. 

Granted, you could just keep a few basic OTC’s in your first-aid kit - but then that wouldn’t be particularly self-reliant, would it?  Nor would it be, and I stress this, particularly FUN!  And, since you are reading this, I can only assume that you are interested in living a somewhat self-sufficient life in which, for fun and function, you just might have to get a little creative on occasion.  Who knows, maybe you can work out a barter with the neighbor.  With all of that said, let’s get to the goods...

Some Basic Herbs to Have on Hand

To make any salve or tincture, including the two preparations I’m going to explain, you will need herbs.  No matter where you live, you can get access to the following basic list.  Plant them in your garden, on the deck, or in the window-planters for a fresh, year-round supply.

While best fresh, you can dry the excess for a winter stock, or purchase pre-dried stock in the bulk section at the health food store.
Please note that there are many, many more individual herbs, as well as combinations, beyond what I have listed here.  My goal for this list was to give a basic selection that will take care of some of the more common day to day maladies.  So, here's

The List:

Plantain
Parts Used: Leaves
Common Historical Uses (CHU): cuts, stings, stops blood flow, astringent, anti-inflammatory, swelling, or as a poultice to draw out thorns and splinters.

Witch Hazel
Parts Used:  Leaves
CHU: anti-septic, relieve pain, muscle aches

Lavender:
Parts Used: Flowers
CHU: headaches, burns, stress, insomnia

Peppermint
Parts Used: Leaves
CHU: digestive aid, headaches, increase circulation, congestion aid

Rosemary
Parts Used: Leaves
CHU: headaches

Chickweed
Parts Used: Whole Herb
CHU: cuts, burns, rashes

Calendula
Parts Used: Flowers
CHU: wound healing, anti-inflammatory, canker sores

Mullein
Parts Used: Flowers, Leaves
CHU: lung issues

Any of hese can be combined or used individually for salves or tinctures to create the desired effect.  Please consult your doctor before use.
 

How to Prepare a Salve

Ingredients:
Lard, Petroleum jelly, castor oil, or coco butter - this will be your base, so use something without pesticides or chemicals.

Your chosen herbs.

Vitamin E - this is your emulsifier and your preservative.

Beeswax - this is your thickening agent.

Process:
1. Place about one-half to one pound of herb(s) in just-boiling water. Simmer for 20-30 minutes, strain out the solids (or don’t*), and then add fresh herb to the same water.  Repeat this step once more.

2.  Add desired amount of base (perhaps one to two pints, depending on the desired concentration, etc.) to the water on the stove.  Heat to just under boiling and let the water steam out, leaving the essence of the herbs in the base.

3.  Turn off the stove after water is boiled off, as well as you can tell.

4.  Add about 3-4 capsules of Vitamin E.

5.  Add beeswax to desired consistency. Let cool (this is when the beeswax will really harden).

6.  Store in clean glass jars in a cool dark place. Use as desired.

A Second Option for Processing:

This is quicker, but somewhat less concentrated. However, it is still effective.

1.  Put herbs and base in a pot. Simmer until herb is well wilted, strain or not.*

2. Add Vitamin E and beeswax as above. 

3.  Store as above.

*Straining is not necessary, though for a clean, smoother salve you would want to remove the solids.  However, the solid plant matter really won’t hurt anything.  Like with cooking, the only way to learn is to practice.

Some Possible Combinations:
---General cuts, scrapes, burns: witch hazel, plantain, lavender, chickweed, calendula.
---Chest cold: mullein & mint.
---Sore Muscles: witch hazel, peppermint, calendula.
---Headaches: lavender, rosemary, peppermint.
---Chapped Skin: calendula, chickweed, lavender.  This is best used in a moisturizing type of base like olive oil or coco butter.  The idea is for it to soak into the skin for healing.  If your goal is to protect chapped skin, use something more like petroleum jelly which will not soak in very quickly, and can work at the same time as a windbreak for your skin.

Continued

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