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Balms and Salves

Balm

Image courtesy Rebecca Lupton photography

Herbalist Edwina Hodgkinson visited the newly planted medicinal beds in early summer 2022. Using herbs growing across the secret garden site, Edwina shared how to make a healing salve and a calming lemon balm glycerite .

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A healing balm

A balm made with early summer herbs to use on scrapes and grazes. The balm is made by mixing an infused herbal oil with beeswax and essential oils.

To make the balm;

  • Collect the leaves of ribwort plantain, meadow sweat, self heal, hedge wound wort and lemon balm as well as flowers from lavender and calendula.
  • Cut up all the collected herbs and put in a pan.
  • Cover the herbs with olive oil and slowly heat. (It is important to pick dry herbs and not to squeeze them when placing in the oil).
    Stir the warming oil to ensure that all the plant material is covered. 
  • Once the plants have wilted, reduce the heat and strain the oil.
  • Keep the strained oil and once it is cold, repeat the infusion process above with fresh herbs.
  • After re-infusing the oil add bees wax (at 10% of the oils total volume).
  • Heat the oil and bees wax in a pan, slowly bringing to the boil. Simmer until all the wax melts.
  • Pour the liquid mixture into sterilized jars to set.
  • Label the jars and distribute to anyone that would like to use it. The balm will keep for a year.
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A soothing lemon balm glycerite

Lemon balm has an instant calming and relaxing effect. It can be used to relieve symptoms of anxiety and ease tension. It is particularly beneficial for stress related illnesses that manifest in the digestive tract.

To make a tincture with glycerite:

  • Collect lemon balm leaves, ribwort plantain, and lavender flowers. (young leaves and new flowers will have more potency).
  • Weigh the collected leaves and place in a large glass jar.
  • Measure a diluted mix of glycerite and water (60/40) equal to the weight of the leaves. (If using dried herbs the water to glycerite mixture should be 50/50).
  • Poor the diluted glycerite into the jar of collected leaves. Close the jar lid and place in a water bath for one hour.
  • Remove from the water bath and leave to cool.
  • Once cool strain the liquid, pouring into sterile bottles to store.
  • The glycerite can be taken as a tincture by the teaspoonful or mixed with warm water for a calming drink.