The Misty Manor, Mercers

A thick cream or butter containing Calendula petals (marigold) and plantain to be healing and soothing to skin. We use it to cover minor wounds and scratches, chapped skin, as a lip balm, or for mild rashes. Not FDA approved for any use.

Truth In Advertising: I (Eric Vought) developed this recipe from a similar product I used to buy at a farmers' market in North Carolina. I wanted a simple wound cover I could use both for myself or an animal without worrying about it being licked off. I have since adjusted it for more local ingredients (sunflower oil and St. John's wort). Just the fact that it is an oil/wax-based balm provides 90% of the effect in simply sealing and protecting a small cut or wound. The St. John's wort was added to the last several batches as an antimicrobial and is the only ingredient which might cause an issue with ingestion of the product (possible photo-sensitivity in both humans and animals) but it is in very small quantities. In future batches, I am likely to try germander (which grows wild here) in its place. I have not yet done trials to determine whether any of the ingredients actually prevent bacterial growth and I would not depend on it to stop infection.

[Plantain in this case is the wild herb Plantago major et species, not the fruit. The St. John's wort is sometimes Hypericum perforatum and sometimes Hypericum spicatumdepending on what I have harvested most recently.]

Tips: The balm may be hard in winter or cold. Place in a warm place before using or keep a tin in a pocket. We have not found it especially helpful for poison ivy.