The Beauty and Benefits of Herbal Salves
My very first DIY skin product was a simple herbal skin salve. During my clinical herbalism apprenticeship, we made a “boo boo salve” using calendula infused oil. After learning about calendula’s long-standing reputation for being a healing skin ally, I couldn’t wait to try it on my daughter (who was a toddler at the time). I was amazed at how well it worked when applied on cuts and rashes – I was hooked.
About a year later, Casa + Jardin launched with a collection of small-batch skin salves. Here is why I love them so much:
· They’re easy to apply, travel well and have multipurpose uses
· Salves nourish dry, eczema-prone or irritated skin
· They offer supportive care for minor cuts, scrapes, chapped lips and bug bites
· They can be formulated for specific needs – from fungal skin infections and psoriasis to nourishing cuticles or cracked heels
· Salves are also a beautiful way to use fragrant, botanically infused oils to create natural perfume balms (our fragrant skin salves are some of my favorite).
I personally love skin salves for my family because they allow you to work with a wide range of vulnerary herbs such as calendula, lavender and chamomile. As you begin exploring herbal skincare, you’ll notice each herb offers its own unique action. For example:
· Lavender is anti-microbial and provides gentle pain relief support
· Comfrey helps reduce pain, stiffness and inflammation (great for bruises)
· Plantain supports tissue repair for minor wounds
· Rose calms and sooths with its anti-inflammatory properties
· Calendula offers both anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory support
And list goes on and on.
If you are curious about making your own herbal skincare at home, I highly recommend starting with a simple skin salve – it’s super easy to make, doesn’t require a preservative and has a general shelf life of 12 months. Here is a wonderfully simple “Boo Boo Salve” recipe to get you started.
Con amor,
Christina
