What is a Salve?

A salve is a mixture of herb infused oils, beeswax, and or butters! Salves are nourishing to the skin and are made with all natural ingredients from the earth. They add a protective layer to the skin and go deep within the layers of skin that most moisturizers can’t reach. Salves lock in moisture and keep skin healthy. They also can treat most skin ailments by soothing and calming inflammation! Depending on the herbs used each salve has a different purpose yet all can be used for cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, rashes, and moisturizing. Salves are a great option for treating itchy dry skin and conditions like eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis. It is also recommended to use herbs internally as tea, capsules, or food for further treatment on skin ailments. The skin is the largest organ on our body and most of the time used as a way for our internal organs to communicate with us. What we put in our bodies come out through our skin as well as our other organs.

Salves, Ointments, and Balms

Salves, ointments, and balms are all in the same subset with slight differences. Ointments are soft and oil based great for dry skin conditions. Salves are a medium consistency and become more oil based with the warmth of the body. Balms are thicker and tougher; they are great for covering cuts as they hold shape. Beeswax is one of the key components in ointments, salves, and balms holding together the oils and herbs as one. Depending on the amount of beeswax or butters used in the ratio, beeswax will either make it oil based like an ointment or have a harder consistency like a balm. All are beneficial to our skin and have the ability to deeply nourish and heal.

Beeswax

Beeswax is a natural waxy substance created by honeybees. The wax is used to create a structure for their hives or homes, used to store pollen and honey. Beeswax is known as a humectant which are molecules that attract water and hydrate the skin. Beeswax’s creates a protective barrier and helps to protect our skin from environmental pollutants like free radicals and UV rays. It also helps to lock moisture in the skin preventing moisture loss for all day protection. Beeswax is noncomedogenic (meaning it will not clog pores) leaving the skin to breathe. There are also anti-bacterial compounds in beeswax helping to regulate the bacteria population on the skin so there is a balance to prohibit an infection.

Herbs

Herbs are added to ointments, salves, and balms for an extra healing benefit. Anything that touches the skin is absorbed. This can be water, air, and other natural or unnatural elements. Being aware of your environment and what you touch or put on your skin is one of the most important things. Using different herbs gives salves different purposes as most herbs have specific healing properties. Some herbs are better used externally vs internally and vice versa. Certain herbs are good to use both ways and will be a great option for skincare when they are from the earth, not from a lab that puts in unnatural additives. Formulating specific recipes for skin ailments is ideal for deep healing and attaining results.