Recipes : Medicine Chest

Elder Berry Syrup | Kloss’ Liniment | Simple Calendula Salve


Elder Berry Syrup

1 cup Elder berries (4oz net wt)
4 cups water
1 cup Honey

Instructions
Combine berries and water in a saucepan. Bring it up to a boil and down to a simmer. Simmer until the mixture is reduced by half the volume. Strain the elder berries out. Combine the leftover liquid (about 2 cups) with 1 cup of honey. Bottle, store in fridge for longest shelf-life. Yields: 24 fl. oz of syrup.



Kloss’ Liniment

Kloss’s liniment is useful for reducing inflammation of the muscles, cleansing wounds, and soothing insect bites.  Instead of Goldenseal, you can also substitute Chaparral or Oregon Grape Root.  According to Rosemary Gladstar, who has been using this recipe for over 30 years, this is one of the finest disinfectant remedies available.  In her own words: “Quite truthfully, you shouldn’t be without it.”

1 pint of rubbing alcohol

1 ounce Myrrh gum powder

1 ounce Echinacea root powder

1 ounce Goldenseal root powder

1/2 ounce Cayenne powder

Instructions
  • Place the powder in a jar and cover with rubbing alcohol (a food-grade alcohol can be used, but rubbing alcohol seems to work best), leaving a good 2-inch margin above the herbs. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. Place the mixture in a warm location and let it sit for 4 weeks. Shake daily.
  • Strain out the powders. Bottle. Label the bottle clearly for “External Use Only”.
  • To use, apply directly on wounds or moisten a cotton ball with liniment and swab the infected area. Repeat as often as needed until the infection goes away.


Simple Calendula Salve

Every household should have a few tins of this lovely golden salve around. It is a multiple purpose ointment that can be used for so many skin issues. You can get all of the supplies for it from our shop. This recipe makes 4 1/2 ounces of salve.



 4 ounces Calendula infused olive oil

1/2 ounces of beeswax

1 teaspoon Vitamin E

Lovely jars or tins to store your salve

Instructions
In a double boiler heat the oil and beeswax on medium low heat until melted. Take off the heat, add the Vitamin E. Combine well and pour into your desired container (I like using four 1 ounce tins and pouring the extra in a smaller tin for traveling).