Once complete, you can simply rub fingers over the top of your salve and then spread over the desired area on the body, avoiding the eyes. For the recipes provided today, here is some brief information on the herbal actions indicated. Salve Application. Usnea preparations make use of the whole plant and can be used for a variety of health concerns including sore throats, athlete’s foot, acne, pain, fever, and wound healing. de la Floret, Rosalee. It’s difficult for us to know how this particular herb was used in European history. But it undoubtedly was! By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to receive cookies from us. Photos by Lena. The specific indications were for infections with signs of heat and dampness: redness, yellow pus, fast pulse, etc. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. Affiliate links are shared throughout the website and the Herbal Academy may receive compensation if you make a purchase with these links. 15-20 drops of roman chamomile essential oil to relax, One cup of coconut oil Two parts dried calendula Before a certain time period all lichens were referred to as the same herb, so it’s hard to distinguish how usnea in particular was used. 2.5 ounces pure organic cane or grain alcohol While usnea … You can find more methods for creating making herbal infusions here. One part dried meadowsweet Gladstar, R. (2012). One part lavender Once drained, gather the cheesecloth with your clean, dry hands and squeeze out the remaining oil. The skin is one of the largest gateways on the body to receive the actions of the plants. For the suggestions recommended above, here are the homemade salve recipes below. Place your shaved beeswax in a pan over low heat, and pour the infused oil over top and melt together. Unfortunately these cookies do not contain chocolate chips and you can't eat them. If you are interested in studying herbalism, start your journey in the Online Introductory Herbal Course or in the Online Intermediate Herbal Course. (2013). One ounce of beeswax Pour the infused oils over the cheesecloth to strain the oil and keep herbs separated. In Chinese Medicine several types of Usnea were used. Usnea typically isn’t one I make into salve because it’s so woody, but if you do make it into an oil infusion, I would leave it for longer than the normal 6-8 weeks to make sure the woodiness of it has enough time to start breaking down and extraction to take place. We use cookies on our website to analyze traffic patterns, for general housekeeping purposes, and to provide relevant product advertisements to you. So I say “the RIGHT way” with a bit of sarcasm because I don’t really believe there’s one “right” way to do anything in herbalism. Use this opportunity, after a bath or whenever you are using your salves, to mindfully take time for yourself or your loved one and massage any worries or tension away. Coconut oil is especially known for its ability to heat at lower temperatures, so it warms very well with natural body heat and the salve instantly becomes a massage-like oil. Once complete, you can simply rub fingers over the top of your salve and then spread over the desired area on the body, avoiding the eyes. We are not only studying plant’s actions individually but also how to create vehicles for these herbs to work together with the body. Many of us in the herbal community share a passion for seeking out natural homemade remedies. Retrieved from http://www.methowvalleyherbs.com/2013/06/meadowsweet-herb-queen-of-meadow.html. The Herbal Academy neither endorses them nor is in any way responsible for their content. Place your herbal salves in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to determine the solidification of the salve. It can be developed into various forms, such as the following: 1. cough lozenges 2. a tincture or extract 3. mouthwash to gargle with, by mixing water with a usnea tincture 4. a salve for wound dressing, to apply externally Some of the above forms can be found in a health store. Using less beeswax will yield a more creamy salve, and more generous usage will yield a harder salve. Once water is boiling, you can then turn the stove down to a simmer and let the herbs and oils infuse in this double boiler method for 30-60 minutes. One of the hidden benefits of salves is that they can make wonderful massage oils. Usnea is tree-moss, a lichen, which is a symbiotic relationship between an algae and a fungus. Step 2: Add wax to make your salve solid. (2013). Meadowsweet herb: Queen of the meadow. 15-20 drops of grapefruit essential oil to uplift. Take care not to splash water into your oil/herb infusion. One part dried calendula The Herbal Academy supports trusted organizations with the use of affiliate links. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! Or, if you are using coconut oil, you can tie off the cheesecloth with a rubber band or string and place it into a steaming bath for moisturizing and soul-awakening deliciousness. When looking for usnea lichen to make your own remedies, you can often find i… Herbal First Aid, Herbal Academy of New England’s Medicine Making Handbook. Links to external sites are for informational purposes only. Sign up for the Herbal Academy Newsletter, and we'll send you a free ebook.