Comfrey Salve
Make your own comfrey salve with this simple recipe.
Ingredients
- 2 cups comfrey oil
- 1/4-1/2 cup grated beeswax or beeswax pastilles (I ended up using about 1/2 cup)
- 1 tablespoon vitamin E oil
- 20 drops of lavender essential oil
- small jars or tins with lids
Instructions
- First, make the comfrey oil. Pick some of the leaves off your plant. I just picked what looked like a good amount to fill a quart jar. Shake the leaves clean, and make sure there aren't any bugs on them (I choose leaves near the top of the plant, which seem to be cleaner). Place the leaves on a basket or screen in a single layer (in a warm area) out of direct sunlight. I put mine on metal cooling racks. Let them wilt for several hours until they look limp.Chop the leaves and put them loosely into a wide-mouth quart jar. Cover with olive oil. Turn the oven on low and heat on lowest setting for an hour. Cover the jar with a cloth (I used a cotton tea towel). Allow the oil to steep for two weeks (I keep mine in the pantry).
- Now you're ready to make the salve. Strain the oil and squeeze out the leaves.Combine the strained comfrey oil, beeswax, vitamin E oil, and lavender essential oil in a pot on the stovetop. Heat the oil mixture over very low heat until the beeswax melts.
- Once the beeswax has melted, dip some out with a spoon, and put the spoon into the freezer for about 5 minutes. Then test the consistency. If it's thick enough for salve, you can pour the oil mixture into jars or tins. If not, add a bit more beeswax. Keep testing the salve until you like the consistency.
- Once you have it just right, pour it into jars. As the oil cools, it will firm up. This doesn't take long. Allow the salve to cool completely before putting the lids on.
- Label your jars and store in a cool, dark place. Properly stored, the salve will stay good for months or even years. If it starts to smell rancid, then you'll know it's time to throw it out. (I've had salve that lasted for up to two years!)