HOW TO MAKE OINTMENTS

The recipe for the ointment is quite simple. It is roughly 1 part beeswax to 3 parts oil. A salve can be made by decreasing the oil to 2 parts oil and 1 part beeswax. The more beeswax the stiffer the salve which is good for hot weather or lip balms. The less beeswax used the thinner the ointment.

Using a double boiler, heat these ingredients together until the beeswax melts, stirring thoroughly.  If the consistency of the final product is not what you want, you can reheat and add either more oil or more beeswax. This is a very forgiving recipe. Once you get the consistency you want, pour into containers.

USEFUL TIPS:

CHOOSING AN OIL - Any oil will work, cheap or expensive as well as cooking oil. Coconut and castor oils are often used and each have qualities that excel for salves. But there are many, many great quality oils to pick from, and I prefer carrier oils with reputations for healing capacity. I've included a list of some of my favorite oils at the end of this post which I often blend together.

HOLI oil can be made and used instead of plain oil. Article for how to make HOLI oil is coming, but in mean time you can simply write and ask Sharon.

BEESWAX - It comes in two forms, as a block and in little bits called pastilles. The pastilles are easiest to measure. If you use a block you might need to heat your knife under hot water to cut up chunks. To get the right proportions, measure your oil into a large measuring cup, say 3 ounces of oil. Then add chunks of beeswax to bring the level up to 4 ounces to have your 3:1 ratio.

DOUBLE BOILER - No need to go buy anything as you probably have something in your cupboard that will work. If not, then you will likely find something at the second hand store or yard sale. The double boiler principle is to fill the lower pan with water so steam heats the bottom of the upper pan. Just Google-image 'double boiler' for ideas. Glass is ideal for the top pan or bowl, but stay away from aluminum or coated pans. Stainless steel is a good option too. You may wish to dedicate the top pan or bowl to this work as it is sometimes difficult to cut the wax film unless you use hot water and strong detergent (dishwashers preferred).

COOKING TIPS - Beeswax melts at about 140 degrees. If you wish to retain as much of the natural healing properties of the oil as possible, fidget your burner 'on' and 'off' to keep the beeswax melting at the slowest rate possible and it will be approximately 140 degrees. 140 degrees is an interesting temperature. It is the ideal temp for steeping tea while retaining many of the delicate health substances, and a good sipping temperature. It is also the temp that essential oils are distilled.

HOW MUCH TO MAKE – A total of 4-8 ounces of ingredients is plenty to begin with unless you're planning to share some. For salves, you can use recycle cream tubs, yogurt containers or just about anything if you put attention on cleanliness. A good degreaser might be called for, as well as something to take any smells out such as soaking in baking soda, non-chlorine or even chlorine bleach should be effective. Containing a jelly is more easily accomplished when using a squeezable plastic bottle with a finger-tip flip cap.

ESSENTIAL OILS - The range of EOs used in lotions, creams and salves typically range from 3-10% but some people prefer just a whisper of fragrance which can be obtained at a ratio of 1-2% EO.

33 drops of EO per oz = roughly 10%

10 drops of EO in 1 oz = roughly 3%

3 drops of EO per oz = roughly 1%

MY LIST OF GREAT OILS

Grape Seed (though it's green)

Hemp (green)

Almond

Castor

Coconut (comes in fractionated and de-scented)

Sunflower

Jojoba

Rosehip

Tamanu (Brown. Good shelf life, great healer)

Meadowfoam Seed (Great healer, long shelf life)

Sea Buckthorn (caution: yellow on skin but GREAT oil! Lots of research)

Have fun!