Some of us develop up with a nanna or cracking - grandma who kept a jolt of black balm on helping hand for all manner of skin ailments . Every kinsfolk had their own special formula , but it usually hold ingredient like tallow , lard , pine tar , chimney soot , or sometimes even onions and flour . It was compact and smelly , but it worked like a magical spell !

This modern - Clarence Shepard Day Jr. adaptation of an previous - fashioned nursing home remedy will fill a 2 - ounce glass jar . Because a little bit lead a farseeing way , a single batch will last a category for several months . you’re able to easy double or triple the amounts though , if a larger supplying is needed .

Ingredients

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PreparationFor best results , infuse the oil with dry herbaceous plant first . Check your railway yard for Musa paradisiaca or violet leaves or use dry out rose wine , calendula or lilac flowers . Let them air dry on a white dishcloth for a few days until crumbly . Place the dried herbs in a small jar and rain cats and dogs twice as much oil over them . Cover the top with cheesecloth or a scrap of one-time T - shirt , using a pencil eraser band to secure in place . permit the jounce sit in a cheery window for a few day ( or week ) before stress . Store any leftover finished oil in a cool , sour place for up to one year .

For easy cleanup , repurpose a used tin can to make this salve . You could also practice a small , heat - proof canning jolt .

Measure the oil and beeswax into the can or jar , and set it in a saucepan control 1 to 2 inches water supply , creating a improvised dual boiler . Use 1 teaspoon beeswax for a softer ointment consistence or 2 teaspoons for a steadfast salve . Heat on medium - David Low until the beeswax has melted .

Old-Fashioned Pine Tar Salve - Photo by Jan Berry (HobbyFarms.com)

Remove the shock from heat , and stir in the pine mariner and charcoal with a disposable spoon . like a shot pelt into a small glass jar and permit cool before cap . Because of its strong drawing nature , avoid storing in metallic element tins or credit card container , as the salve could potentially pull in impurities from them over sentence . Shelf life is at least a year .

Use It

pat a small amount on a glitch pungency , splinter , boil or other skin irritation . Cover with a bandage for several hours or overnight . Wash off and repeat as necessary .

Old-Fashioned Pine Tar Salve - Photo by Jan Berry (HobbyFarms.com)

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Old-Fashioned Pine Tar Salve - Photo by Jan Berry (HobbyFarms.com)

Old-Fashioned Pine Tar Salve - Photo by Jan Berry (HobbyFarms.com)

Jan Berry at The Craft Hub