Gardening – cheaper than treatment and you still get tomatoes! – Author unknown
There are so many Benefits for gardening In addition to fresh produce. Gardeners are known to live longer, and I know many older people who still spend several hours a week gardening…in their 90s!
Maybe it’s because it’s rich in vitamin D beneficial organisms Time in the soil, in movement, even in nature. But gardening does have its benefits.
I’d rather not wear gloves when i garden This way I can feel the plants and soil.I feel comfortable doing this because we use organic pest control and fertilizer selection. But sometimes it leaves my hands chapped or dry.
The magic of ointment
Salves are nourishing, oil-based ointments that are often infused with beneficial herbs to speed healing. Unlike lotions, which use a mixture of oil and water to moisturize and drain moisture, they are oil and wax based. You can use different oils depending on what you want the salve to be used for. Coconut oil, avocado oil, olive oil, and even rosehip seed oil are some of my favorite oils to use.
I use ointments regularly for various purposes. From cracked heals to stretch marks to pulling out splinters…the ointment is a mainstay in our home. I have hand care ointments and ointments specifically for dry cuticles.
Gardener’s Hand Balm Recipe
This special salve contains many soothing herbs that help nourish dry skin and quickly heal minor wounds caused by gardening. Even if you’re not a gardener, it will leave your hands silky and soft. The salve’s deep green color comes from the many herbs infused in the oil, which has a delicious earthy and medicinal scent.
I prefer to use dried herbs for making salves because this reduces the chance of rancidity since the oil from the leaves of the plant does not contain water. Ointments can also be made with essential oils, but I find this infused version to be more effective and less likely to sting your eyes if you accidentally rub them. Although I did add a little lavender essential oil to enhance the healing effect.
use herbs
There are many different restorative herbs you can use here, but I used these:
Before you begin: Infuse the herbs into the oil
This is an important step in making the ointment work. This takes a while, and there are two ways to infuse herbs, depending on how much time you have.
I used olive oil, but you can also use other liquid carrier oils, such as avocado or sweet almond. If using the one-day infusion option, coconut oil will also work, but you will need to reduce the beeswax in your hand balm recipe.
Option 1: One-day option
If you want to make a salve quickly and don’t want to wait weeks to infuse the herbs, you can speed up the process in a double boiler.
- Place 1 cup olive oil (or other carrier oil) in top of double boiler.
- Add a few inches of water to the bottom and turn the stove on to medium heat.
- Bring to a simmer and reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer for 3-4 hours or until the oil turns dark green.
- Strain the herbs from the oil with cheesecloth and store the oil in a clean, airtight container.
Option 2: Longer option
If you have the time and patience, here’s how to do a slower infusion.
- Place herbs and 1 cup olive oil (or other carrier oil) in a small glass bottle with an airtight lid.
- Leave for at least 3 weeks to allow the herbs time to steep and shake occasionally. If the weather is hot enough, this mixture can be left in the sun to create a solar-infused oil.
- Strain the herbs from the oil with cheesecloth and store the oil in a clean, airtight container.
Once you’ve strained out the oil, you’re ready to make your hand cream!
Gardener’s hand balm
This herb-infused hand cream is perfect for damaged, dry hands. Great for gardeners and anyone with rough hands.
yield: 5.5 ounce
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Melt beeswax, shea butter, and vanilla oil in a double boiler until melted. If you don’t have a double boiler, you can also use a Pyrex bowl over the pot.
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Remove from heat and add lavender essential oil (if using).
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Quickly and carefully pour the mixture into small glass jars or jars.
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Cooling in the refrigerator will help prevent the shea butter from turning grainy.
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Use as needed after gardening or when your hands need a little extra care.
Store in a cool, dry place and use as needed. I keep it in my pantry.
More ointment recipes that require drying
These salves are formulated to cover a variety of skin care needs with botanical oils and waxes. Plus, they’re free of parabens, phthalates, and other unwanted chemicals because you control the ingredient list!
Do you know how to garden? Ever used a hydrating hand cream or moisturizer to help your hard-working hands? Share it below!