Chickweed (Stellaria media) - Anti-inflammatory )especially for itching associated with bites or stings ), vulnerary (heals skin tissue following injuries or irritation). Chickweed can be harvested and then wilted for 1-2 days prior to making an infused oil to decrease the water content of the infused oil. A hot water bath method is also helpful for removing the water content. Leaves, flowers, and stems can all be processed and used in your infused oils.
Qualities: cooling, light, clearing.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) - Vulnerary, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial. Harvest flowers when blooming and dry before creating an infused oil to remove the water. Double infused oil is especially effective. Calendula oil can infuse for many months, full extraction of the resins occur after longer infusion times. Calendula vulnerary and soothing properties come from the rich resins found on the flowers. The infused oil is a staple for almost any skin related issue, and can penetrate into deeper body tissues for almost any skin related issue, and can penetrate deeper body tissues for support with bruising, injuries, or stagnation.
Qualities: Light, cooling to inflammation, deeply warming and supports movement of stagnation, uplifting.
Plantain (Plantago major) - Anti-inflammatory, hemostat (stops bleeding), vulnerary. Plantain is an excellent would healer that grows in most places and can be found in early to mid spring. Harvest and wilt leaves prior to use in infused oils, utilizing the hot water bath if necessary.
Qualities: cooling, drying, stabilizing
Lavender ( Lavandula angustifola) - Antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic. Lavender flowers are harvested when in bud or blooming in the summertime, and dried prior to use in infused oils. In springtime, using the essential oil produces antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory actions to the salves, and to also offer its nerving and aromatic properties.
Qualities: cooling, calming (stable, slow), uplifting (clearing)
Nettle (Urtica dioica) - Commonly considered a springtime tonic and nutritive plant for internal use, nettle also has many lipid-solute constituents that give rise to vulnerary and anti-inflammatory properties in an infused oil or salve. Infused nettle oil can also be used internally as a nutrient rich oil in cooking.
Qualities: light, cooling, clearing
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) - Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, aromatic, neuroprotective. Rosemary is an evergreen shrub in the Northwest, and can be harvested at any point, though the essential oils will be most concentrated in the summer. Rosemary is also amazing as an culinary infused oil. Internal and external use of rosemary has shown to have strong neuroprotective and cognitive enhancing effects including focused energy, less reported stress, and improved memory.
Qualities: light, mobile, clean, dry
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