By Nina, Contributing Writer
I’ve always been pretty accident-prone. As a child, I was constantly running into things, getting scrapes or getting hurt in ways that would make my mom just shake her head in disbelief. (I even managed to knock one of the brackets off of my teeth with the freezer door when I had braces. My orthodontist didn’t believe me.) It seems that I’ve passed this trait along to some of my kids and, unfortunately, it’s never gone away for me.
Needless to say, we go through a lot of first aid ointment in our house.
Creating your own first aid ointment is easy. The herbs and essential oils help fight inflammation, ward off infection and heal wounds. With the coconut oil base, the ointment becomes antibacterial and antifungal as well. Here’s a look at the key players:
- Arnica: This herb boasts analgesic (pain-relieving) properties that work very quickly. It also speeds the healing of bruises and sprains.
- Calendula: This beautiful flower is a great healer. Its soothing, anti-inflammatory properties make it a great addition to ointments.
- Comfrey: A phenomenal healing herb, comfrey is great in ointments, infusions (strong tea) and poultices. Do not take internally.
- Yarrow: Stops bleeding quickly and repels insects when steeped with lavender. Taken internally, it acts as an antibiotic, but should be avoided during pregnancy.
- Melaleuca (tea tree) essential oil: Tea tree essential oil is well-known as an anti-fungal oil. It is also antibacterial, anti-viral and an analgesic. We also use it to treat ear infections and as an additive to cleaners.
- Lavender essential oil: Pure lavender essential oil is analgesic and anti-inflammatory. We also use this antimicrobial essential oil by itself for headaches and to promote restful sleep.
- Coconut oil: This is my favorite carrier oil for its antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial properties. It also moisturizes well and, because it’s solid at room temperature, I like using it because it means I don’t need as much wax.
Homemade First Aid Ointment
This ointment can be made in a few hours (the herbs are steeping most of that time). You’ll need a sauce pan, a mesh strainer or cheesecloth, coconut oil and the listed herbs and essential oils.
Ingredients needed:
- 1⁄4 c Comfrey
- 1⁄4 c Calendula petals
- 1⁄4 c Yarrow flowers
- 2 T Arnica
- 1 1⁄2 cups coconut oil (+ more coconut oil to add after straining)
- Lavender essential oil
- Melaleuca essential oil
- 2 Tbsp candelilla wax or beeswax
Directions:
Turn your oven on to 200 degrees. Heat the oil saucepan on medium heat until melted, then add the herbs. Stir it up, then pour them in an oven safe dish (only if your pan can’t go in the oven). Turn off your oven and put in your herbs, clean up your mess and go have fun for a few hours.
After 3 hours (or more) take out the herbs and strain into a measuring cup (if it solidified, just warm it up again before you strain), Add enough coconut oil in so that’s back to 1 1/2 cups. Add the infused oil back into your saucepan, on medium heat. Add your wax and let it melt. After I add my initial wax, I like to dip a spoon in and let it cool to see if I like the consistency. I don’t like my balms very firm so I go with a little less wax. Add more if you don’t like how it feels.
Pour the oil into your jar(s) and let it cool. If you check it then and don’t like the consistency, warm the jar in a pan of warm water so that it’s liquid again and add either a little more oil or wax. Label your jar(s) and store in a cool place.
Here in my neck of the woods, coconut oil is liquid at room temp, for several months out of the year. To avoid having to figure out a recipe for each season, I’d rather use another oil. Would you follow the exact same process for infusing the oil if using olive or almond, etc?
Thanks for sharing this recipe, along with the handy list of herbal additions. I wanted to add here that arnica is not recommended for broken skin, so the salve recipe listed would be indicated for bruises, sprains, and muscle strains, but for abrasions, cuts, etc…
I make an herbal ointment that works great. It has dried infused herbal oil. I have used olive oil. I use comfrey, yarrow, plantain, and st. john’s wort, allgrown organically on my homestead. Beeswax makes it semi solid. It works very well with all wounds, Ok for open wounds or scrapes. I use it all the time for anything that requires it and it can be used on pets also without poisoning them. I add tea tree oilk and helichrysum oil, (pain-away oil). it keeps well and I have used some that was over 2 yrs. old although it’s recommended to only keep it 1 yr. I however smell it and if it isn’t rancid smelling still use it for myself. I hate to throw it away. I used calendula petals infused in olive oil for diaper rash. it was used on a baby that only got changed 2 times/day, not mine, and cleared up a horrible rash in just over 24 hrs. Wonderful how herbs can be so healthy.
[…] Want to make your own first aid ointment? Modern Alternative Mama shares a Homemade First Aid Ointment Recipe. […]
[…] To make your own salve with the benefits of comfrey, I suggest trying the recipe for this homemade first aid ointment. […]
Can you tell me the difference between melaleuca and tea tree oil? Can they be used interchangeably in this recipe??
I really liked the look of this and DD11 loves making this kind of thing.
However I was wondering about putting arnica in an ointment which might be used on a cut.. won’t it make it bleed more?
Can you define c & T for me in the formula?
Thank you.
Dave
Plantain reduced in oil with Vit E oil and coconut oil with Bees wax works on anything as a drawing salve from slivers to bug bites..and fewer ingredients.
Hi, this sounds like a great recipe! I already have infused oils of Arnica, Calendula and Comfrey. I also have the Essential Oils of Yarrow and the others. About what amount could be used of the infused and EO’s? Thank you! Lisa
Its really help full post,
u can try this in cause of cuts and wounds apply turmeric powder to stop blood flow.