Favorite Barn Heal-All Recipe

Horses get scrapes.  Like all the time.  They have big bodies that always seem to have a bite, scab, or dry patch that needs to regrow hair.  For years, I used plain coconut oil in the barn--so gentle, readily absorbs, and has antibacterial and anti-fungal actions.  I used it on myself and my family for dry skin and lips.  I also like that for the majority of the year, it is solid (73 degrees F and under) and easy to scoop out and apply.  I loved how it felt and how it smelled, and it worked great, all by itself. 

As I learned more about herbs and their healing capacities, I started infusing the coconut oil with three of my home grown favorites: yarrow, calendula, and lavender.  Each of these herbs brings a host of benefits to a first aid salve, but I'll be to the point here: all three are considered antiseptic, yarrow stops bleeding, calendula promotes skin healing, and lavender's scent soothes equines and humans alike. I also choose coconut oil because it does not need beeswax to make it solid, adding to the simplicity of ingredients.  (But there is no reason why you could not infuse this healing trio into olive oil and beeswax for a more traditional salve.). *It's important you only use dried herbs for this recipe.  The water content in fresh herbs could cause the oil to mold.

How to make our simple Barn Heal-All
You will need:
Dried Yarrow (approx 1/3 cup)
Dried Calendula Blossoms (approx 1/3 cup)
Dried Lavender Buds (approx 1/3 cup)
Coconut Oil (approx 1-2 cups)

Pint (2 cup) Mason Jar

Directions:
1) Fill the jar about half way with equal parts of the yarrow, calendula, and lavender.  It's ok to be approximate! 
2) Top the jar with coconut oil (If oil is solid,  heat it over low heat in a pot, then pour over herbs) and mix well.
3) Label jar lid with the contents and date, then place in a warm, sunny spot for 4-6 weeks, or longer, shaking regularly. 
*Expect the coconut oil to be solid overnight or when temperature drops below 73 degree F.  I often use a yogurt maker to keep the oil liquid.  You could also infuse over the LOWEST heat on the stove for a few hours.  It must be liquid to properly infuse.
4) When ready to strain, return the oil to a liquid state, and strain the contents through a fine mesh sieve or multiple layers of cheese cloth.  This is usually messy!  Then re-jar and allow to cool.  This simple salve is shelf stable, but will turn liquid over 73 degrees.  Use for all minor cuts, scrapes, bites, itchies, dry skin and lips.  Because it contains no essential oils and and is edible, it's perfectly safe for lips, for all our animal friends and for young children.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.