The baby creations and preparations continue around here! This is one that I'm excited to try and see how well it works. Having read quite a lot about herbs that are good for skin dryness and rashes, I came up with this mixture of herbs and oils and turned it into a salve to be used both as a baby bottom salve and a nipple salve. The herbs in the mixture are calendula flowers, which are known to promote healing of rashes and skin issues, as well as calm and soothe the affected area, plantain leaves, which are great for treating any kind of skin issue or irritation, and chickweed leaves, which are great at soothing skin irritation. I was able to find all of these herbs in my backyard! The calendula I grew this summer and the plantain and chickweed are both considered weeds and I was able to find both in my yard. You can also find all of them online in dried form at Mountain Rose Herbs. After letting these herbs infuse in some olive and almond oil for awhile, I mixed them with some beeswax and essential oils. I chose lavender and tea tree for my essential oils. Lavender for its smell and soothing/calming qualities, and tea tree for its antiseptic properties. The salve that I ended up with has a faint scent to it and can easily be applied to skin. I'll let you know in a few months how well the finished product works! Stay turned for the update!
How about you?? Do you have a favorite natural remedy for diaper rashes??
Baby Bottom Salve
1 cup of oil (I used half olive oil and half almond oil)
a small handful of calendula flowers, plantain leaves, and chickweed leaves
1-2 tablespoons of beeswax
15-20 drops of lavender essential oil
5-10 drops of tea tree essential oil
Pick the flowers, plantain leaves, and chickweed and let them wilt in the sun for an hour or so. After they are slightly wilted (and some of the water has evaporated out of them) combine them and the oil in a glass jar and close tightly with a lid. Let infuse in a warm sunny place for 4-6 weeks. After the infusion is complete, strain out the herbs and place the oil and 1 tablespoon of the beeswax in a double-broiler. Heat until the wax has melted and been thoroughly incorporated into the oil. Place a small amount on a spoon and put into the freezer until it has cooled. Test the salve for consistency and add more beeswax, if needed, to reach the desired consistency. Once you are satisfied with the consistency, add the essential oils, stir to combine, and pour into jars.