Home Made Lavender Salve

Herbal salves are a great way to take advantage of the healing properties of the herbs. They are used to treat minor skin irritations such as dry skin, burns, bruises and rashes. As many herbs contain antibacterial and antifungal properties they make an ideal way to prevent infection in minor scrapes and cuts.

The advantage of making your own salve is that it contains no artificial ingredients, no synthetics and no petroleum products. Everything is 100% natural and organic. As an added bonus, it is inexpensive and makes a great gift.

Almost any herbs can be used to make a salve, depending on their use. You can use either fresh or dried herbs when but if using fresh herbs, crush them first in a mortar and pestle to release their oils.

For this recipe, I’m going to use lavender as it is smells wonderful and makes a great soothing salve to treat dry hands and skin. This recipe makes approximately ½ cup salve.

Lavender Salve

Ingredients
¼ cup dried lavender flowers
7 drops of lavender essential oil
6 tablespoons of shaved organic (unbleached) beeswax
½ cup (125ml) extra virgin olive oil

Tools
Metal saucepan
2 Glass measuring cups
Clean and steralised jar
Muslin/cheesecloth
Rubber band
Tea towel

1. Pour olive oil into the glass measuring cup and add lavender flowers. Stir to combine. Fill the saucepan with 2 inches of water and place the measuring cup in the water, double boiler style.
2. Bring water to the boil and allow to gently simmer for approximately 1 hour, being careful not to boil dry. When the herbs look ‘used up’, remove oil from heat and allow to cool.
3. Place cheesecloth over second measuring cup and secure with a rubber band. Strain the infused oil mixture into the measuring cup through cheesecloth, squeezing out any excess oil.
4. Place the measuring cup back into the water in the saucepan and allow water to simmer. While the oil slowly warms, add 6 tablespoons of beeswax, stirring occasionally.
5. When the beeswax has melted (approximately 10 minutes), remove from heat and stir in several drops of lavender oil.
6. Pour into clean jar(s) and allow to cool completely before putting the lid on. This recipe is for a firm salve but if you find it is too hard reheat it and add a touch more oil. If it is too soft reheat it and add a bit more beeswax. Keep out of direct sunlight.

Congratulations, you have just made your very own herbal salve! This recipe can be adapted using different herbs but if you are wild harvesting your herbs, make sure you identify them correctly before using. If you are unsure, use dried herbs purchased from your local health food store. Happy salve making!



The finished product. This is my own recipe using Lemon Balm and Lavender. I love the vibrant green colour, it shows that it’s hand made.

Herbal Lore - Thyme

Thyme

Gender – Feminine
Planet – Venus
Element - Water

History

The name comes from the Greek word thumos meaning spirit or smoke. The Greeks attributed the properties of strength and courage to thyme, and Roman soliders bathed in it before battle. Later in the middle ages, Knights would have a sprig of thyme embroidered on their scarves by their lady as a sign of bravery. Sprigs of thyme were often placed on coffins as it was thought that the spirit would take up residence in the flowers of the thyme plants.

Culinary Uses

Thyme is a fragrant herb that works well with all meats, vegetables, casseroles, soups, stuffings and marinades. Excellent for use in herb bread and flavoured butters. Lemon thyme works well with fish and chicken. It has a strong flavour so use sparingly.

Herbal Lore

Thyme has powerful antibacterial and antibiotic properties and makes an effective tonic for the immune system. Used in treating coughs, rheumatism, acne, colds and infections. As a stimulate it helps eliminate waste from the body and acts as a diuretic. Great for use as an insect repellant.

Magical Uses

Assists with sleep, promotes psychic ability and healing. Used for purification and in healing rituals. Take a magical cleansing bath in the spring of thyme and marjoram to wash away the chills of Winter and to ‘spring clean’ yourself. It can be placed under the pillow to cure nightmares. Legend has it that thyme was an essential ingredient in a magic brew that allowed the drinker to see the fairies. It was also considered an aphrodisiac.

Autumn Equinox

Today we celebrate Autumn Equinox in the southern hemisphere. It is the first time of year when day and night are equally divided, the second being the Spring Equinox.

Autumn Equinox is a traditional time of gratitude and thanksgiving. A time of harvest, for gathering, storing and preparing for the coming Winter. Now is a time of transition, to celebrate that which is passing and to look joyously into the future. We are reminded once again that endings are merely new beginnings.

Herbal Lore

Welcome to my ‘green’ medicine cabinet. Aside from a deep interest in essential oils, one of my greatest passions is my beloved herb garden. With the growing interest in sustainable living more people are focusing on the gifts that mother nature has to offer. Over the coming months, I will introduce some common herbs that can easily be grown in any garden and discuss their uses.

Wise men and women who knew the land and understood nature and its powers have practiced herbal lore for centuries. All herbs have both medicinal and magical properties. In fact, in ancient times herbs were used primarily for medicinal and magical purposes rather than for their culinary attributes.

I have my own extensive herb garden and use it for a range of different purposes, including cooking. Not only do herbs taste great, but their healing powers can be used and tapped into for tinctures, rituals and cleansing. Apart from anything else, they smell wonderful when you brush past them in the garden!

The first herb I would like to introduce is Sage. I have Sage growing in a few different spots in the garden as it’s so versatile and one of my favourite herbs. I use it to make my own smudge sticks (more on that later), to consecrate sacred spaces and to cleanse my Tarot cards.

Sage

Gender – Masculine
Planet - Jupiter or Venus
Element - Air

Culinary Uses

Sage works best with meats, particularly poultry. It can also be used in stuffings, with potatoes, cheeses and tomato sauces. Complementary flavourings include onion, garlic, thyme, oregano, parsley, bay leaf and rosemary. Use sparingly as it has quite a strong flavour. Fresh sage has a milder flavour than dried, 1 tablespoon of fresh sage = 1 teaspoon dried.

Herbal Lore

Considered a ‘cure all’ Sage has a long history of use as a herb for healing. Sage is often used as a remedy for respiratory infections, congestion, coughs and sore throats. It is known to be an appetite stimulant, to aid indigestion and is said to have a beneficial effect on the liver. It is also given for fever, night sweats and urinary problems. Can be used as a compress on cuts and wounds or as a tea for gargling.

Magical Uses

Sage is commonly used to purify a sacred space often in the form of a smudge stick. It can also be used in rituals, as protection and to cleanse and purify an altar or magical tools. It is associated with protection, wishes and prosperity. It is said that if you want to make your dreams come true, put Sage leaves under your pillow.

Mr G enjoying the herb garden.
Cats love herbs too!

Essential Oils to help Manage Anger

All of us experience anger at some point in our lives. Traditionally, anger is seen as a negative emotion that should be repressed rather than expressed. The problem with this of course is that when emotion is not allowed to flow freely, it becomes bottled up inside us and is then expressed inappropriately. Repressed emotion, including anger, is the source of dis-ease within the body. From a Reiki perspective, "letting out" our emotions in a healthy and constructive way is the best way to prevent illness.

Anger can be a positive influence in our lives. It can give us the motivation and drive to create social change or to help lift us from depression into action. It only becomes a problem when we no longer deal with it in a constructive way. If you find you are having problems controlling your stress and anger, then it may be time to develop a stress management routine.

Essential oils can do a lot to control anger. They have a calming and soothing effect that can help reduce stress and help calm and balance emotions. Some essential oils that are useful include Rose, Chamomile Roman, Orange, Bergamot and Jasmine. Try adding any of these oils, by themselves or blended together, to an aromatherapy diffuser. Or try some of the recipes below:

Blend #1
2 drops Rose
3 drops Orange
1 drop Jasmine

Blend #2
3 drops Bergamot
2 drops Chamomile Roman
1 drop Jasmine

Blend #3
1 drop Chamomile Roman
2 drops Bergamot
2 drops Orange

Rose oil on its own is considered a powerful tool against anger and other emotional wounds, instilling compassion and forgiveness. Add 1 -2 drops to a tissue and breathe in deeply all through the day for an anger management solution on the go.

Tarot Card of the Month - The Chariot

This month’s tarot card is the Chariot. The numerical value of the Chariot is seven and is associated with the astrological sign of Cancer.

An armored warrior stands in a triumphal “car” (chariot). He is surrounded by canopy of six pointed stars representing the celestial influences at work in this card. The crescent moons on his shoulders are outward facing and refer to the formative world. The symbols on his tunic are alchemical symbols, representing the spiritual transformation of man. The square signifies earth, a sign of strength of will. The laurel and star crown indicate the highest attainment of man in spiritual evolution. Black and white sphinxes (sometimes horses) sit at his feet and represent the union of positive and negative forces.

The charioteer holds no reins, just a wand from the Magician card. He controls this through his strength of will in the same way the Magician does. The city is behind him, indicating he has turned his back on civilisation and materialism in order to seek a spiritual path.

The meaning of the Chariot card is conquest, victory and overcoming opposition through confidence and control. It represents a battle that can be won if the Querent has the willpower for it. The battle is usually an external one, with a clear goal and plan of action. Qualities needed to win the battle include determination, discipline, conviction and plain hard work. The steeds represent powerful forces, internal or external, that can be controlled to achieve the goal.

When the Chariot appears in a spread, it signifies that confidence and assertion is required. You need to have complete faith in yourself and know fundamentally who you are and what you stand for. If you have unwavering faith in your convictions then nothing can stand in your way. You will be successful at pursuing your goals, so long as you maintain focus, determination and confidence in your abilities.

Keywords of the Chariot are – willpower, focus, confidence, discipline, success

Amethyst Crystal

Clients often ask me about crystals and which are best for overall well being. I believe the ideal way to choose crystals is intuitively and for a specific purpose. However, if you want a crystal that covers a wide range of uses, I would suggest Amethyst.

Amethyst comes from the Greek word, amethusos, meaning 'not drunk'. It is a highly spiritual stone that has been used for thousands of years for protection, healing and psychic empowerment. Its violet colour relates to the crown chakra and pineal gland (third eye) and radiates energy which has often been referred to as the purple ray.

The uses and qualities of Amethyst are varied and include:

- Calms the emotions and reduces stress
- Fosters healing and selflessness
- Increases spiritual awareness
- Enhances psychic abilities and transformation
- Helps lift depression
- Aids in overcoming substance abuse, especially alcohol addiction
- Is a powerful amulet for travelers
- Worn as psychic protection
- It is kept with other divination tools to enhance their qualities
- Used to induce harmony.

Some of the healing properties associated with Amethyst include:

- Eases headaches and releases tension
- Reduces bruising, swellings and injuries
- Heals diseases of the lungs and respiratory tract
- Used to treat skin conditions.

Overall, Amethyst is an excellent stone as it repels negative energy and helps us connect to our spiritual nature. For more information about crystals, refer to my earlier post on crystal therapy.