DiY Jewelweed Salve at Home

Homemade Jewelweed salve is simple to make and if you have access to, or live near areas with a natural water source and partial shade, you may just be able to forage for your own fresh jewelweed.

Jewelweed is an herb that is commonly used for skin ailments, like bug bites, spider bites, mosquito bites, insect stings, rashes, and even eczema.

 

WHERE TO FIND JEWELWEED

Jewelweed products can be found online and at some natural food stores.

 It can be found throughout most of the United States and can be foraged mindfully with future harvests in mind.

Always forage in clean, non-chemically sprayed areas.

 

 

HOW TO USE JEWELWEED

Jewelweed has been used by naturalists, herbalists, and pioneers through the years.

All the parts of the plant and flowers are edible. Some folks enjoy the flowers on salads and as a garnish.

I tend to be super sensitive and even natural things could cause a reaction in or on me. As a result, I have yet to taste any myself.

The seed pods are said to taste like walnuts.

 

 

OTHER USES

Jewelweed is commonly used in tinctures, fresh poultices, salves, and in handmade soaps.

Some recipes combine the astringent properties of fresh plantain with the anti-itching properties of jewelweed, to pack a powerful punch against inevitable outdoor skin-irritating encounters.

 

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HOW TO IDENTIFY JEWELWEED

It’s easy to identify jewelweed because of the bright orange and yellow flowers with their red speckled dots.

Their leaves are an oval shape with a toothed edge.

 

It is common to see dark and lighter green leaves on the plant, with a less vibrant underside.

The leaves are known to have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties.

Jewelweed grows up to between 3-5 FT, have shallow roots, and are easy to pull up and harvest.

 

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SUPPLIES AND TOOLS YOU WILL NEED

• double boiler or a pot and a heat resistant bowl for a make-shift boiler
• crockpot
• wooden spoon to mix with
• glass jar with lid or tins to pour salve into to dry and store
• hot pad or oven mitt

 

5 SIMPLE INGREDIENTS

• fresh jewelweed (enough stems, leaves, and some flowers to fill 2 Mason Jars to 2/3 full)
• 3 T beeswax pastille
• 15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 2c olive oil
• vitamin E oil (optional for preservative)

 

HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE JEWELWEED SALVE

DiY Jewelweed Salve at Home

Homemade Jewelweed salve is simple to make and if you have access to, or live near areas with a natural water source and partial shade, you may just be able to forage for your own fresh jewelweed.

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Materials

• fresh jewelweed (enough stems, leaves, and some flowers to fill 2 Mason Jars to 2/3 full)
• 3 T beeswax pastille
• 15 drops lavender essential oil (optional)
• 2c olive oil
• 1-2 tsp vitamin E (optional for preservative)

Tools

• double boiler or a pot and a heat resistant bowl for a make-shift boiler
• crockpot
• wooden spoon to mix with
• glass jar with lid or tins to pour salve into to dry and store
• hot pad or oven mitt

Instructions

1. Rinse the jewelweed clippings and pat dry with clean towel.
   
2. Chop or tear jewelweed into small 1 inch pieces and fill a Mason Jar to about 2/3 full, cover with olive oil and set aside.
   
3. Place a clean wash cloth or dish cloth at the bottom of your crockpot.
   
4. Then add your glass jars on top of the cloth liner and carefully pour water into the pot.
   
5. Set your crockpot to low and slow cook for 2-3 hrs.
   
6. When complete, strain the jewelweed with an old shirt, cheese cloth, or coffee filter into your jar or metal tin of choice.
   
7. Add beeswax pellets to the jars or tins and place in a double boiler to melt with infused oil (if you don't have a double boiler, you can always use a bowl within a pot).
   
8. When the beeswax is combined with the infused oil, stir and cool a bit prior to adding the vitamin E and lavender essential oil.
   
9. Once completely cooled, cover with lid and store in a dry and dark spot in your pantry or cabinet.
   
10. When processed and stored properly, the salve should last up to a year.

Notes

Be careful not to submerge the jars completely. Use enough water to allow the herbs to infuse, but not cook or dry out.

USES AND STORAGE

This homemade anti-itch salve would be great to take on hikes or camping trips in the woods.

It can be poured into glass, plastic, or tin containers for easy use and storage.

If you haven’t already given this helpful little herb a try, I hope this blog post helped to motivate you in that direction.

 

 

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