For all versions start with a handful each, preferably fresh: comfrey
leaves; yarrow leaves and/or flowers; rosemary leaves; plantain leaves
(not the banana, the herb); tea tree essential oil. optional
ingredients: sage (salvia officianalis); gunk from inside the aloe vera
stalk; calendula petals; St. John's Wort; thyme.
The mediums can be: extra virgin olive oil; cider vinegar; mega proof
alcohol; distilled or boiled water.
Throw the solid herbs into a food processor and grind to a paste. I
like to use quite a lot because once you grind them down, they really
shrink into very little. Add about 20 drops of the tea tree oil.
If you're using oil, with the processor running, slowly dribble in the
oil until it's the consistence of pesto. This is usually from 1/3 to
1/2 cup of oil. Scrape the guck into a clean jar with a lid and keep in
the frig. You can separate the oil off after a week and keep it separate
for scalp treatments or a daub. Use the herb as a poultice. I don't
bother and just gloop the mess onto just about any booboo.
For vinegar, scrape the herbs into a clean quart jar with a lid and fill
the jar with warm cider vinegar. Let sit for a couple of weeks and then
strain and repeat with fresh herbs. Strain into a colored bottle and
keep in a cool place. This is a linement and is very good for scabies,
bed sores, sore muscles, shingles, and hair rinse, or add to bathwater.
Use water to make an iced poultice. This works like magick after
surgery and burns. Scrape herbs into a heat tolerant quart glass jar,
pour in boiling water to top and cover. Let cool. Pour half into an
ice cube tray and freeze. Store cubes in plastic baggy in frig. Keep
the balance in the frig. When a burn occurs, IMMEDIATELY place the ice
cube on the wound and keep it there. Meanwhile, full container large
enough to immerse the burned area with the refrigerated liquid and add
more cubes. Soak the burn in this until pain no longer recurs when
removed. It won't hurt while it's immersed. This takes a couple of
hours depending on the severity of the burn.
For a soak, just use sterile gauze pads with the cold liquid, strained,
keeping the liquid iced with the cubes. This keeps it from diluting.
My daughter's nose healed (no swelling or bruising) within two days after
surgery for a deviated septum, instead of two weeks, with these
compresses.
Oh, in every instance of using these poultices, DO NOT USE COMMERCIAL
ADHESIVE BANDAGES. They keep the injuries from healing. And never ever
pop a blister!
This is a great time to get these herbs at the local nurseries. You can
plant them in planters, just as long as they get a few hours of sun each
day. They are seasonal, though, so be sure to continue to clip, dry and
store for winter.
If you seal the bottles of vinegar with melted wax and tie a ribbon or
raffia around the neck, it makes a terrific present. Just be sure that
the giftee knows it's not salad dressing!
This is used topically. Not to be taken internally.
This information is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. If conditions worsen, or persist, consult your healthcare practitioner.
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