Healing salve ...

This beautiful salve, inspired by the LaerningHerbs Medicine Kit purchased many years ago, is a staple in the first aid kit. When my grandchildren were young they called it boo-boo cream. It is a simple recipe of olive oil, beeswax and lavender essential oil.

Recently a dear friend skinned both shins severely. Her doctor suggested cocoa butter once the open wounds had closed to help with the scabs. She had bought a jar labeled cocoa butter at the drug store. The ingredients listed mineral oil and fragrance among other items. Not what I would have chosen! As soon as I returned home I went to work creating a salve with organic, unrefined cocoa butter, olive oil, beeswax, vitamin E and lavender essential oil for her legs. As far as I am concerned, a much better ointment for the skin.

These small containers make wonderful gifts and items for your organization's holiday sale. You can be assured they will be used and requested next year! (Don't let anyone know how easy it is :) )

PS: The Medicine Kit is a great gift too!


If you do not have a local supplier you can buy the beeswax, cocoa butter and the essential oil from Mountain Rose Herbs

Special gifts from the heart & garden . . .

My favorite

A loaf of homemade bread - fresh from the oven packaged in a brown bag with a simple tag is a wonderful gift for neighbors and family. When my children were young and the budget tight we loved making the bread and carrying it door to door.


Other ideas

A collection of herb vinegar, prepared mustard and prepared horseradish - all easy to do and fun for the family to do together.

Hand sanitizer, healing salve, body lotion, bath salts or hand and body exfoliator, any one of which would make a great gift idea for teachers and others who have helped you throughout the year.

If you need herbs or containers Mountain Rose has a wide variety . You will find lots of excellent information, for example:

Sweet Almond Oil

• This is one of the most useful, practical, and commonly used oils. It is great for all skin types as an acting emollient and is best known for its ability to soften, soothe, and re-condition the skin. It is truly marvelous as a carrier oil and is equally superb for addition to body care products. Natural expeller pressed oil from raw almond kernels and exceptionally rich in fatty acids.

• Profile: Botanical Name- Prunus dulcis, Origin- USA, Extraction- Expeller pressed/Partially Refined, Shelf life- 12-14 months, Kosher Certified- No, Notes- Stores well under any condition but extreme heat will lessen the shelf life. This variety of Almond oil is slightly darker in color and richer in scent when compared to what is currently being offered on the market because of its partially refined nature. For cosmetic use only.
• Specifications: Color- Golden, Odor- Faint and characteristic, Free Fatty Acids- 0.1, Peroxide Value- 0.4, Non-Saponifiables- 0.5, Saponification Value-191, Iodine Value- 99, Specific Gravity- 0.915, pH- 4.63
• Fatty Acids: Oleic- 68.4%, Palmitic- 4.8%, Linoleic- 22.4%, Linolenic- 0.1%, Stearic- 2.8%