Preparation For External Use
Salves And Creams
To make a simple salve, herbs are macerated in oil. Put 16 oz (450 ml) of olive oil and 2 oz
(50 g) of beeswax into a heatproof dish, add as much of the herb as the mixture will cover,
and let it heat gently for a few hours in a bain-marie. This allows time for the constituents
of the remedy to be absorbed into the oil. Press out through a muslin bag, discard the herb,
and pour the warm oil into jars where it will quickly solidify.
You can also make up creams very easily by stirring tinctures, infusions, decoctions or a
few drops of essential oil into a base of aqueous (water-based) cream from the pharmacist.
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