Explore ancient and contemporary methods of using plant-based raw materials to make an eclectic variety of useful herbal products. Herbal Balms and Salves are made by thickening and enriching plant oils with medicinal herbs, essential oils, beeswax, honey and other ingredients such as cocoa butter. Each student will make two kinds of salve choosing from a selection such as Healing Vapo Balm (for congestion of chest and sinus, lip balm), Deepease Balm (for joints, muscles, minor trauma), Soothing Calendula Rose and Honey Salve (a gentle, healing all-purpose salve for sensitive skin, burns, rash, cuts and scrapes), and Bearfat Hidefood (a product I learned to make in Alaska.)

Therapeutic Herbal Body Oils are made by infusing plant oils (such as olive, coconut, or sunflower oil) with healing botanicals such as Calendula, Rose, Lavender Arnica, Rosemary, St. John’s Wort and Comfrey. They are more concentrated than salves. They are used for skin care, massage, bath oil, and general first aid. Each student will make one infused oil in class and will learn how to make many more customized blends at home.