How to make a Salve, Poultice & Glycerite

Make a Glycerite


Glycerites (tinctures/extracts made with glycerine) are syrupy liquids that provide an alcohol-free alternative to the more popular alcohol tincture. Glycerine has a sweet taste but doesn't affect sugar levels. It is preferred by children over an alcohol or vinegar tincture. We normally mix our glycerites with alcohol tinctures to reduce the sweetness. Honey can also be used in place of glycerine.
As with all remedies, directions for making glycerites vary from one book to another. We make ours by filling a jar 1/3-1/2 full of herbs (1/2 full makes the brew stronger). Add just enough hot water to get the herbs wet and fill the jar to about 1/2 inch from the top with glycerine. After closing the jar tightly, place it in a crock-pot with a small towel underneath to keep the jar from breaking. Fill the crock-pot with water up to the top of the jar (not touching the lid), and leave it on the lowest setting for 3 days, keeping the glycerine hot but not boiling, and add water as necessary.
After about 3 days, carefully strain the hot and sticky herbal mixture through a cheesecloth into a glass container. Squeeze the herbs a bit, pour a small amount of boiling water over them, and then discard them. Close tightly and label the glycerite tincture. We have kept and used our tinctures for several years.
By the way, if your crock-pot gets too hot on the lowest setting, the herbs will smell like they are burning and turn dark and strong smelling within 24 hours. This will not ruin the glycerite, but it does speed up the process and may not be quite as effective as a slow heat. We have a crock-pot that gets too hot, so after about 42 hours, we go ahead and strain the mixture and it is just fine. You can also water bathe the herb/glycerine mixture by placing the closed jar in hot water on the stove for 3 days. The idea is to break down the herbs so that the properties are released into the glycerine. You have succeeded when the mixture becomes dark and strong smelling.

Make a Poultice

Poultices, also called plasters, can easily be made by pouring a small amount of boiling water over herbs and steeping them for a few minutes to release their healing properties. Strain the warm herbs, fold them in gauze or thin cloth and place them on the affected area. Powdered herbs do not need to be steeped. Simply make the powder into a paste with hot water and apply in a cloth.

Make a Salve


Salves/ointments are generally antiseptic and bring healing to scrapes, cuts or burns by forming a protective layer over them.
1. Fill glass jar 1/3 full of herbs and cover with coconut oil or your oil of choice. Screw on lid and place jar on top of a dishtowel in a crock pot. Fill the crock pot with water (but not above the jar’s lid) and turn on warm for three days.
2. Check the water level everyday to make sure the water hasn’t evaporated, and fill as needed. NEVER pour cold water over a hot glass jar.
3. After three days, strain the herbs off of the oil (while warm).
4. Melt a 1/2 cup (approximately 2 oz. of grated beeswax for 8 to 9 oz. of infused oil) of beeswax in a saucepan on low heat and add oil. Remove from heat and stir until completely melted. Add a drop of vitamin E oil or Grapeseed oil for every ounce of oil. This is a natural preservative.
5. Pour into metal tins and let sit over night or carefully place in refrigerator to cool and harden.
Tips:
~ If it is too soft for you, reheat it and add a bit more beeswax. If it is too hard reheat it and add a touch more oil.
~ Salve is a thick oil that is used for, cuts, bites, burns, rashes, boils, massage, and more. Salves can keep up to five years or more.
~ Keep out of light and extreme heat.
The following books have been our best references on making our own salves and ointments at home: