I know it’s not a popular opinion, but I love winter. I love the long cold nights and cozy days by the fire. But one thing I don’t like is how dry my hands and nails get. This recipe for Cuticle Salve is one of my favorite DIY recipes for this time of year. This salve never fails to soften my cuticles and nourish my nails. It’s made from calendula-infused olive oil, beeswax, and your favorite essential oil. If you can’t find the dried herbs for the infusion described, you can try buying them from Mountain Rose Herbs. Also feel free to substitute any other dried herbs or essential oils you prefer.
For those of you new to this series, Sarah Munro, the heroine in ONE DARK WISH, the second book in the Deadly Force series, is an 18th century historian who inherited a collection of colonial-era herbal and homeopathic remedies. And in this blog space, I’ve been sharing her recipes with you all. I’m adding this recipe to her collection because the ingredients in this salve offer anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing qualities.
Note: I am not an affiliate of Mountain Rose Herbs. I just love their website and buy most of my herbs and other special ingredients from them.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/3 cup dried calendula flowers
- 2 cups olive oil
- 2 ounces beeswax
- 20 drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil
- 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil (extra for remaining oil)
- Salve tins
Directions for Cuticle Salve
- Put the dried calendula into a glass bowl. Pour the olive oil over top.
- Put water in the bottom of a double boiler. Make sure the glass bowl can sit in the double boiler without the bottom of the glass actually touching the water. What you want is the steam from the water to heat the bottom of the glass bowl. Slowly, over low heat, turn on up the heat until there is a low simmer. Cover the bowl and allow it to sit over the low simmer/steam for 2-3 hours, making sure to add more water whenever necessary.
- Once the infusion is finished, strain the oil through a metal sieve into a clean bowl.
- NOTE: If you have any leftover infused oil after making the salve, add in some Vitamin E drops to prevent spoilage and store in a container with a tight-fitting lid so it can be used later. It should last at least a weak.
- Place a metal spoon in the freezer before starting the next step.
- Set up the double boiler again, with water on the bottom and the regular pot in the center. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of oil and then add the beeswax. Melt the oil and beeswax over medium heat, stirring to make sure the oil and wax blend well.
- Now use the cold metal spoon to check the texture of the salve. Dip it into the bowl and see how creamy or hard it is. Add extra oil for a creamier salve and beeswax for a harder salve.
- Once you’re happy with the texture, and the oil and wax are blended, stir in the lavender or peppermint oil. Then stir in the Vitamin E oil and pour the salve into the tins. Once it solidifies, cover it with the lids and store in a dark cabinet.
- Use the salve on your any time you need extra moisturizing.
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER ABOUT WILD PLANTS, FORAGING, AND MAKING HERBAL REMEDIES:
I am not a medical professional and nothing written on this blog is medical advice. None of my statements have been evaluated by the FDA (I am legally required to give you this disclaimer).
It is important to do your due diligence before foraging, harvesting, and/or consuming any type of medicinal plant.
- If you are taking any medications, talk to your doctor about any potential drug interactions.
- If you are allergic to anything, make sure whatever you are foraging is not in the same family. Example: While dandelions are typically considered safe, those who are allergic to ragweed, latex, daisies, or any other plants in the same or similar families, may not be able to consume dandelion.
Always research potential side effects, dosage recommendations, and how to properly prepare and consume each medicinal plant.
Always make sure you are foraging what you believe to be. Fully prepare and study the anatomy before harvesting wild plants.
Always make sure your kitchen/work area is clean and that all materials are sterilized.
Do not forage plants from areas that have been sprayed within the past 2 years at the very least.
I am not legally or morally responsible for the health of any of my readers. Please do your own research!
