So, have you ever seen your grandmother use a black balm for everything under the sun and swear it works? Want to know more about it?

Otherwise called Pine Salve this is one of the best skin remedies and used by our ancestors for centuries. You could say it is tried and tested, considering some of us will still remember this black substance just did not like it at the time, probably due the color 😉

Of course, it was smelly too 😉 and depending on the ingredients, the smell can range from bad to worse! However, it always worked like a charm, did it not? The recipe varies with the location and probably the culture and tradition too, but usually has Pine Tar, Charcoal or Soot, Lard and at times, Onion!

I really loved and wanted to tweak it for the current generation, so here we are! Ready, everyone?

Ingredients

Sweet Almond Oil – 5 Tbsp.
Beeswax – 1 ½ Tsp.
Pine Tar – 1 ½ Tsp.
Calendula Flowers – a handful
Activated Charcoal – 1 Tsp.
Lanolin / Tallow – 1 Tsp.
Lavender Essential Oil – a few drops

Instructions

Infuse the Sweet Almond Oil with Calendula Flowers. We will see about the infusion process later, if you’re in doubt.

Take Beeswax and Lanolin / Tallow and melt them together in your double boiler. If you don’t have one use a makeshift double boiler.

Once melted add Pine Tar and Activated Charcoal and stir to combne thoroughly.

Add the Sweet Almond Oil and mix again.

Once done add a few drops of Lavender Essential Oil and pour into your sterilized salve tins.

Once it cools down, seal with the cap and let it set fully.

Done!

Shelf Life

This lasts a good one year, so depending on your requirement and members in your family, you can even prepare a larger batch and store it. You might need a bigger stash if you have kids who are naughty and get scrapes and cuts way too often for your liking!

So, now about infusion!

Infusing is a simple process and we’ve seen it before in few recipes. There are different ways to infuse your oil. The easiest and best way to do that – take fresh flowers, rinse and clean them. Dry them in shade and when fully dry, add to a glass mason jar and cover with your chosen carrier oil. Keep it out in sun during the day and seal it and keep it within your doors at night – do this for a week or more (depends on the intensity of sun. In tropical locations hardly takes a week or two).

Tips to Tweak the Recipe

I have used Calendula for infusion, though you can also use Lavender Flowers, Arnica Flowers, Plantain (Banana) Leaves, Comfrey Flowers, Violet Flowers, etc. Rose Petals and Geranium are options for added aroma and soothing effect.

You can less or more Beeswax depending on the consistency you’re going for. I like my salve sort of creamy or soft and not too firm. So, choose the ratio according to your preference.

You can use any carrier oil, though Coconut Oil, Olive Oil or Sweet Almond Oil have been my preferred oils for this recipe.

How to Use it?

Take a small dollop of this salve and apply on the boil, splinter, bug or wasp bites, for skin irritation and what not! Yes, you can apply this for most issues. Cover it with a soft cloth and wash off in the morning or after a few hours. Repeat for as long as you need it – till the skin is healed.

Don’t have time for DIY Recipes? Try Aya Naturals for your skin and face care requirements.