Orange Jewelweed . . .

Impatiens capensis Family: Balsaminaceae

If you have been exposed to poison ivy, oak, or stinging nettle use the jewelweed plant. Slice the stem. Rub the juice inside on exposed parts which usually prevents breakout for most people. Use also to ease the irritation.

Brew chopped jewelweed in boiling water until you get a dark orange liquid. (Yellow Jewelweed will not yield orange color and may not be effective.) Strain the liquid. Pour into ice cube trays. Rub the skin with a jewelweed cube when you have a skin rash. It will keep in freezer up to a year.



A quick way to make a salve -

Make infused oil:

• Put 2 ounces of dried jewelweed or 4 ounces fresh jewelweed and 2 cups of olive oil in a double-boiler on very low heat and let the herb "cook" for 1 to 2 hours. Strain into a sterilized jar.

Make a salve:

• Gently heat 1 oz. beeswax in the top of a double-broiler type pan until melted. Add 1 cup of the infused oil. Wax will solidify a bit. Heat gently only until wax melts again. Stir until mixed together. Pour into containers. Let cool and cover.

Mountain Rose has a wide selection of herbal supplies

Carrier oils . . .

A carrier oil is a vegetable oil derived from the fatty portion of a plant, usually from the seeds, kernels or the nuts. Carrier oils are used to extract plant constituents and to dilute essential oils prior to application. They carry the healing properties onto the skin. Each carrier oil offers a different combination of therapeutic properties and characteristics. The choice of carrier oil depends on the therapeutic benefit being sought.

Lotions, salves, creams, body oils, massage oils, bath oils, lip balms and other moisturizing skin care products are made using carrier oils. Some carrier oils are odorless but most have a faintly sweet, nutty aroma. Carrier oils do not evaporate but can go rancid over time. A longer shelf life can be had by adding vitamin E.

The olive oil we are going to use is a cold pressed, virgin oil. It you are going to heat your plant materials in the oil you do not need to purchase the cold pressed oil.

Olive oil:

Grapeseed oil:

Sunflower oil:

Jojoba oil:

Olive oil . . .

Olive oil is used as a carrier oil in many skin care products including soap, massage oils and salves.

There are several terms used to describe different types of olive oil: Wikipedia

• Extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO) comes from cold pressing of the olives, contains no more than 0.8% acidity, and is judged to have a superior taste. Extra-virgin and virgin olive oil may not contain refined oil.
• Virgin olive oil has an acidity less than 2%, and is judged to have a good taste.
• Pure olive oil. Oils labeled as Pure olive oil or Olive oil are usually a blend of refined and virgin or extra-virgin oil.
• Olive oil is a blend of virgin oil and refined oil, of no more than 1.5% acidity. It commonly lacks a strong flavor.

For more information on olive oil