arnica salve + pain relieving salve + sore muscle rub

happy november ~ this is a busy time for me, as the holiday season is big in my world.  all the lovely people out there purchasing handmade goodness.  forever grateful for all of you.  i have been wanting to share for some time, the process of my arnica salve.  it all begins, in the spring.  arnica montana is a delicate sweet flowering plant, in the sunflower family.  It grows abundantly in our little corner of montana, one of the first flowers you see in the woods.  

wildcrafting the herb is beyond wonderful.  so connective to our inner healer, wise woman, or witch.  plus it is so magical, to be out in the forest after the winter months.  about five miles away from my house, there is a forest floor covered in this green blessing.  usually blooming around the last week in april, but of course the higher you go in elevation, the later the bloom.  the yellow flowers are what is harvested. last spring my stepmother kathy, also one of my best friends, was visiting when the arnica came into bloom.  we had a wonderful afternoon gathering, my daughter miss josephine herself came along too.

after all the golden delight was harvested, we came home.  preparing the flowers for the oil is the next step.  i usually lay the flowers out on paper towels, or a screen for a few minutes, allow the bugs to move along.  there are very few bugs on them, and most don't even make it home.  i don't wash the flowers.  then its time to put them in the jars, i look at the flowers as they go into the jar.  looking for soiled spots or bugs, i leave those out.  

once the jars are filled to the top with olive oil, i rubber band a breathable cloth on top.  place in a sunny window for at least six weeks.  its good to take the cloth off and check from time to time, and give a stir.  this is called solar infusion.

you can see after six weeks, the flowers have shrunk some. i use a cheesecloth when straining the flowers out.

next i melt the beeswax, and heat the oil in separate pans.  making sure not to boil the oil at all, you just want to make for a smooth mixing procedure.  when the wax has melted, and the oil is hot i pour them into my kitchen aid, and mix on low for about 15-20 minutes.  this would take a lot less time, if you were making a batch just for yourself. also mixing by hand would be recommended.

   

during the mixing process, i add the menthol crystals first.  as it starts to thicken, i add the essential oil.  then pouring the liquid salve into clean glass jars, and allowing to cool undisturbed.

here is the recipe for a personal batch, if you would rather just make your own.

1/2 c infused oil

2 t grated beeswax

5 drops camphor

5 drops peppermint essential oil

5 drops eucalyptus essential oil

2 t menthol crystals

when making this small of a batch the beeswax and oil can be heated together, mixed by hand and last four ingredients added as you are mixing.  all i can say is this is a wonderful salve.  artie calls it hippie icy hot.  perfect for sore muscles, joint pain, arthritis, and even bruising.  the jar is small enough it can accompany you, on your next adventure.  well i think that is about it, if you have any questions, ask in the comments, and i will get back to you on that. if you would like to purchase this straight from me, here is the link simplyjosephine.com to stay connected follow me on instagram or facebook thank you all so much, namaste