Elka's Mama Salve
I started making salve a few years ago as holiday presents for my friends and family. They've told me that the salve has been the one thing that's helped their dry winter skin, and they've used it on everything from their lips to their cheeks to all-over body balm.
Since my baby is due to arrive very soon, I wanted to make an all-purpose salve that would work for moisturizing and soothing both my skin and the babe's, and wanted to come up with a recipe that would theoretically work on everything from my (soon-to-be) cracked nipples to his little bum. For that reason, I decided to forgo any scent (as in essential oil) in this recipe, to keep it as edible and natural as possible. (You can use essential oils; just make sure they are safe for baby.) So far, I've been using it on my rather gigantic belly, and already it's helped to soothe itchiness and fade some yucky stretch marks that have been developing.
Calendula Rosemary Mama Salve
I adapted this recipe from a number that I have seen on the Internet, including this one. My recipe uses the Simpler's Method, which uses parts instead of specific volumes. You can vary the herbs depending on your needs, but I've found that calendula and rosemary are a great combination. These two herbs have awesome antifungal, antiseptic, and vulnerary (wound healing) properties. If you're lucky enough to live in a temperate climate like I am, hit up your backyard garden or friends' homes for fresh calendula and rosemary. I only use the calendula flowers, though you can also use the roots as well. You can cut whole sprigs of rosemary, too, and use them.
You will need:
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Shadowboxes and scrapbooks are excellent ways to hang on to those little items, photos and knick-knacks that we hold so dear. This kitschy, simple tutorial that I spied over at Giddy Giddy is all of those things wrapped up in one… plus it doubles as fantastic wall art!
