#ointments

The base of making ointments is infusing herbs in some kind of oil or fat, resulting in a substance that is solid but melts at body temperature.

I usually use one part of herbs and four parts of the ointment's base, but it can vary.

The ointment's base I tend to use is olive oil, although it can be another one like almond or sunflower oil.

In order to infuse the herbs in the oil we will use the bain-marie technique. Two containers are needed: a saucepan with water and a bowl with the oil and the herbs that will go inside the other one.

This must stay over low heat for two hours, having a temperature around 40 °C (104 °F) .

An alternative to this step can be leaving the herbs and oil in a jar for two to four weeks, in a dark and dry place. To accelerate the extraction of the active principles of the plant it is convenient to shake the jar twice a day.

The oil can be filtered with a gauze and, once we have the infused oil, we will have to solidify the ointment, for which I usually use beeswax. The amount depends on the desired texture but 15% of the final volume is a good reference.

We will use bain-marie again to incorporate the beeswax. In the final jar we will put the oil and the beeswax, taking into account that the beeswax melting temperature is around 60°C (140°F) and that it isn't convenient to exceed it too much.

We will stir while the wax is melting until everything seems homogeneous. Additionally, Vitamin E can be added to extend the duration of the ointment. Finally, we will let it cool.

It's the world that needs the First Aid.

I came across this post just now and although I feel no desire or duty to educate my tumblr' neighbors, I can't let so much bullsh*t go away without adding my 2 cents.

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But this post, the very content of this post, between the recipes for 'non-toxic' ointments, or ointments with poisons as well as the explanations given on the supposed intolerances that can be made to opiates in relation to certain solanaceae alkaloids (and even this word is not not uttered once) shows very clearly that the person who wrote did not understand anything AND does not know what she is talking about.

I highly doubt that Sarah Lawless, (although not my cup of tea), who has such respectable knowledge, and who has educated so many people in the "witching" community here or elsewhere, ever wrote such crap.

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Moreover, when we inquire a little we do not advise to make ointments with aconite.

- Please come and explain clearly to me what would happen if you took a branch of aconite with your bare hand, or try by yourself, it could be so fun.

You give recipes, you don't explain anything about the meaning or the virtues of each Plant Spirit ; you quote for example Absinthes, and other very powerful Plants Spirit as if they were 'nothing', as if we should not enter into a relationship with, as if, all that was not a labor of patience and listening and love.

I'm so tired of this, you can't even imagine HOW I am tired.

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Because what part of the term "Umbris" did you not understand from Viridarium Umbris ?

What are Schulke and Cunningham (not my cup of tea yet) and Sarah Lawless talking about, if not work, observation, discipline, patience and work love ? YES SORRY GUYS, it's a matter of love, even if it displeased you and if it not enough 'dark' for your egos.

And YOU pretends to be animist or pagan or whatever vegan bullshit?

0intments were used to anesthetize partially (locally), or totally (to make great surgery), there were probably at first some "medical tools" and no, there were nothing scandalous about them.

How do you think that difficult end-of-life, cancer-related pain, fatal accidents, difficult childbirth, were shortened / appeased ?

Opium, Henbane, Belladonna, Aconite, Hemlock, etc - were common and known plants at the time. I mean, and I base myself on research that has been done by ethnographers in my area, that until the middle of the 20th century many people had them in their gardens, or knew where to get them, for the reasons I cite above.

Of course, ointments were also used and crafted for let's say more 'spiritual' reasons, but the spiritual was part of everyday life and had nothing "scandalous", once again.

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In addition, NO an allergy to morphine derivatives or opiates directly will not send you to the emergencies as part of taking ointment with Belladonna (for example). Why ? Surprise, opium/morphine is a kind of Solanaceae alkaloid antagonist, i.e a counter poison.

Rather than reblogging bullshit like that, go read Corinne Boyer who gives great advice on ointment recipes and how to do them.

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In the herbalist tradition it is said (in general) 1 part of plant for 4 of fat.

Some oils absolutely do not catch the properties of plants BUT have other properties that can serve your craft (and especially your stupid little egos), and everything also depends on the relationship you have with the plant, I mean with your body, which must be considered as an Athanor. (Read also Dale Pendell)

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Also, please, avoid as much as possible heating your preparations on the fire, let this 'Mother Nature' and this 'Father Sun' that you say you love so much, DO THEIR JOBS.

Any herbalist will tell you : natural heating of the sun - moon is worth a thousand times any other.

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Let me use all of myself in life

In this post I'll be covering the basics of preparing herbs, excluding more advanced methods like tinctures and capsule making.

Infusions

Herbal teas, also known as infusions, are water-based preparations that extract the medicinal properties of herbs, either dried or fresh. They can be drunk as teas, or externally as skin washes or added to baths.

Directions: Use two teaspoons of herb per cup of water, halve this if using dried herbs (one tsp per cup). Place herbs in teacup and pour in boiling water. Allow to infuse for 10-15 minutes and strain before drinking.

Syrups

This herbal remedy is designed to make herbal preparations more palatable. Bitter herbs are particularly suited to this method when prescribed for children. Expectorant herbs for coughs, asthma and chest infections are often prepared as syrups, particularly when honey is included. Syrups will keep for up to two years.

Directions: 1. Make an Infusion (see infusions) using 25 g (1 oz) dried herb to 600 ml (1 pint) boiling water. Double when using fresh herbs. Leave to macerate in water for six to eight hours. Strain the liquid, press as much water from the herb before discarding it and measure how much fluid is left.

2. Pour infusion into a pot and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over low heat until the liquid is reduced by half.

3. Add 400 g (13 oz) sugar or 350 ml (12 fl oz) and bring to boil until sugar has dissolved.

4. Pour into sterilized bottle and leave to cool.

Dosage: 1-2 tsps three to four times a day for chronic problems.

Ointments and Creams

Ointments and creams can be applied to the skin not only for skin problems but for less superficial ailments, such as inflamed joints and headaches.

Directions: Creams can be made easily by stirring tinctures (which I am not covering in this post), devotions or a few drops of essential oil into a cream base such as aqueous cream.

Directions: Ointments 1. Melt 50 g (2 oz) beeswax with 450 ml (3/4 pint) olive oil in a double boiler or stainless steel bowl over a pot of boiling water. Add as much herb as possible

2. Spoon the macerated herbs into a piece of muslin placed over a measuring cup or jug, allow remaining liquid to strain through the fabric.

3. Squeeze muslin to press out as much liquid as possible before discarding herbs.

4. While warm, pour into clean ointment jars to solidify, seal and place in cool, dark place.

Poultices

Applying whole herbs to the skin using gauze. They dies rneed to be softened by removing any hard stalks or ribs and immersing in hot water briefly.

Directions: 1. Place the fresh or dried herb between two pieces of gauze. If you use fresh herbs they need to be bruised before being applied. If the herbs are dried, add a little hot water to powdered or finally chopped herbs to make a paste.