As we officially enter the summer season, inevitably there is a rise in more than just warm weather - yes, I’m talking about bugs and aggravating plants. Specifically bugs and plants that like to bite or sting.
Now we certainly can’t fault them for engaging in behaviors that are ingrained in their nature, but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer the lingering effects of their affections!
One of my most tried and true herbal formulas is a salve I lovingly call “Itch Relief Balm” - mainly because it has been the single most effective thing I have ever used to relieve the irritations that stem from insect and spicy plant attentions - and I’d like to share it with you today.
The foundation of this balm is the Calendula-Infused Olive Oil. If you are unfamiliar with calendula (Calendula officinalis), you’re in for a treat. Herbalists refer to calendula as “liquid gold” for a couple of reasons: infused calendula oils take on a lovely yellow gold color, but most importantly, calendula oil provides an incredible degree of topical nourishment for the body.
Calendula contains compounds called tannic-astringents. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, astringent herbs refer to plants that help to dry, draw, and shrink swollen tissue. Layer in tannins, which are anti-inflammatory compounds rich in antioxidants that help to tighten and protect tissues, calendula is one of the gold-standard approaches for skin irritations (think burns, bites, wound healing, etc.) both internally and externally.
Calendula not only has astringent action, but is also anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal, plus it acts as an emollient (i.e. moisturizer), supports lymphatic flow and circulation, and is an excellent vulnerary (i.e. wound healing herb). As such, calendula can be used for any number of external and internal challenges, including dermatitis, athlete’s foot and fungal infections, skin rashes, bruises, boils, minors burns, psoriasis, cracked/dry/chapped skin, inflammation, swollen tissues, and, of course, insect bites.
Liquid gold, am I right? 😉
To be frank, if you did nothing else but apply some calendula-infused oil to your itchy skin irritations, you’d probably experience an immense amount of relief. However, if you’d rather have a convenient-to-carry ointment that can go with you more easily on your adventures, I’m a big fan of turning that calendula oil into a balm for easier application.
The easiest way to do this is by combining calendula oil with beeswax. Beeswax carries its own nourishing benefits as it is naturally moisturizing and adds its own layer of protection for soothing skin irritations. When melted and combined with calendula oil, it helps to provide a hardening substance to counterbalance the oily liquid, creating an emulsification that is firm upon cooling, but gently warms when in contact with body heat, allowing for easy application.
To maximize anti-itch potential, I will generally add a few drops each of tea tree essential oil (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-septic), lavender essential oil (anti-inflammatory, promotion of wound healing, analgesic), and peppermint (anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-itch). To help preserve the lipids in this concoction, I also add a bit of vitamin E oil as a natural preservative to prevent lipid peroxidation.
Once all mixed together, you can pour the heated liquid balm into containers of your choice. I personally prefer to use lip balm tubes as these can be conveniently carried with you at all times so you’re ready for whatever adventure your summer brings your way.
Calendula-Infused Oil:
You can use a number of methods to infuse oils with medicinal herbs. My favorite way to infuse calendula I learned from master herbalist, Kami McBride (who I highly recommend as an herbal mentor if you have the opportunity to learn from her - she’s amazing and highly knowledgable!). I’ve found that this method of infusion creates a stronger, more concentrated oil that maximizes infusion of the herb to maximize its benefits when used.
Ingredients:
3 oz calendula flowers (dried and powdered)
21 oz organic olive oil (or, as Kami prefers, organic sesame oil)
2 oz 100 proof alcohol (I typically use vodka)
Instructions:
Measure out 3 oz of dried calendula using an electric kitchen scale.
Place into a high-speed blender and powder the dried calendula flowers (this herb is a bit fluffy so you may have to pick up the blender while it’s running and shake it around a bit to really get it powdered)
Once powdered as much as possible, place powdered calendula into a bowl.
Add 2 fluid oz of alcohol to the powdered calendula and mix with a clean and dry hand to fully integrate the alcohol into the powder. This method helps to rehydrate the herb and maximizes extraction of its herbal constituents.
Place a lid on the bowl and allow the calendula-alcohol mixture to moisten for 8-12 hours (keep it away from heaters, A/C, direct light, or open breezes).
After alcohol extraction is complete, pour 21 oz of your chosen oil into your high-speed blender, along with your rehydrated calendula/alcohol mixture.
Blend until the blender pitcher becomes slightly warm.
Keep the herb and oil mixture in the blender pitcher for 2 days (~48 hours), occasionally blending it again fro 5 minutes at a time over the course of those 48 hours.
Using a funnel, muslin cheesecloth, and a clean sterilized jar (I typically use wide-mouth mason jars), strain the herbal oil, squeezing out as much oil as possible as you go.
Compost the strained-out herbs (your garden will love them) and label your strained oil. Always note the ingredients and date of preparation on your label.
If you are concerned about having remaining alcohol in your finished herbal oil product, you can pour your strained oil into a glass baking dish and place in the oven at its lowest setting for 5-10 minutes until the oil no longer smells like alcohol.
Once you no longer detect an alcohol aroma, place in a jar for storage or bottle in individual dropper bottles for easier application.
Enjoy your liquid gold! 😀
Herbal Itch Relief Balm:
Ingredients:
3 tbsp calendula-infused oil
1 tbsp beeswax
5 drops peppermint essential oil
3 drops lavender essential oil
1 drop tea trea essential oil
⅛ tsp vitamin E oil
Instructions:
Using a double-boiler method (I like to use a glass measuring cup with a pouring spout on top of a mason jar lid ring in a pot of water), melt the beeswax and heat the infused-oil together.
Once liquid, remove from heat and add essential oils and vitamin E oil.
Stir (I like to use a long wooden skewer personally, chopstick, or popsicle stick) and pour into your chosen containers (as mentioned, I typically use lip balm tubes).
Allow to cool completely
Enjoy!
