Saint John’s Wort helps relax and heal sore and injured muscles. For centuries, it’s been used to heal a variety of troubles ranging from aching muscles to healing burns to easing depression. This simple salve recipe is designed to help overworked muscles heal gently and quickly. The essential oils warm the tissues and improve circulation to the injured area while the Saint John’s wort relaxes the muscles to promote fast healing.
This recipe is based on weight, not volume, so you need a kitchen scale to make it properly. Use our salve making recipe for more complete instructions.
Ingredients
- 3 oz. Saint John’s Wort Oil
-
1 oz. beeswax
-
15 drops yarrow essential oil
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15 drops clove bud essential oil
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15 drops cinnamon leaf oil or 5 drops cinnamon bark essential oil
Equipment
- a kitchen scale
- a spatula
- a double boiler
- a glass jar for containing oils during weight process
- a label
- enough small containers with lids to store finished product
Procedure
- Gather the ingredients along with the equipment in a clean, well lit, work space.
- Pour the Saint John’s Wort oil into a double boiler and heat.
- When the oil is warm, carefully add the grated beeswax.
- After the beeswax has melted, remove the double boiler from heat and stir in the essential oil.
- Pour the mixture into a few salve containers and cap them securely.
- Label the containers with the name of the salve.
- Give your salve a one year expiration date as the oils may go rancid.
Storage and Use
This recipe makes approximately 5 one-ounce tins or 10 half-ounce tins. Or, if you’re a little lazy like me, it stores well in a wide-mouth, cup-sized (8 ounce or jelly) canning jar with a tight fitting lid kept in a dark place, like your bathroom or dresser drawer. As you rub it into your sore, aching, tired, or injured muscles, keep in mind that a little goes a long way. Start with a pea-sized amount and add more if needed to cover the area. Re-apply the salve every few hours as needed until the aching eases.
