My Grandmother's Herbal Cream For Scars, Scrapes, And Burns

My grandmother always had recipes for the most incredible delicacies, in addition to the many insightful things she taught us. The closet where she kept the pool towels was the same closet that held her herbal apothecary, and it was impressive. Over the years, we all began to take note of her recipes and just how important they were to save.

The one recipe that has been a family favorite has been her scrape, scar, and burn cream (SSB for short). This stuff could soothe anything and leave minimal scarring. And having five kids, 12 grandkids, and about 1000 great-and-great-grandkids, you can imagine there were a lot of bumps and bruises.

Grandma's SSB herbal cream was completely natural. She used to forage for the ingredients, but as you can imagine, the later in life we all got, the easier it was just to purchase the herbs and wax. Like Grandma's embraces, it creates a protective and nurturing barrier by combining the reliable qualities of calendula, broadleaf plantains, beeswax, olive oil, and lavender.

Don't be overwhelmed by the ingredients. I will walk you through how easy it is.

Calendula possesses potent antibacterial and antiseptic qualities, which enable it to combat pathogenic germs and other microorganisms. It's also anti-inflammatory.

People have long valued the broadleaf plantain for its ability to effectively heal wounds and lower inflammation. Some of the bioactive substances in the leaves are allantoin, aucubin, and mucilage. These work together to soothe damaged skin, reduce swelling, fight bacteria, and speed up the healing process.

My grandmother used plantains to treat a variety of skin conditions, as well as chest colds and liver detox. It's like nature's bandage.Plantains' aucubin-rich qualities, which combat inflammation and bacteria, have led to their use for millennia in treating skin conditions.

In addition to its pleasant scent, lavender has the ability to hasten the healing process of wounds. Along with analgesic and antibacterial qualities that keep wounds clean and clear of dangerous bacteria, this fragrant herb also possesses anti-inflammatory qualities that help reduce swelling.

Beeswax functions as a protective barrier because it contains therapeutic fatty acids. In addition to being a surfactant, this barrier removes particles and filth while letting the skin breathe. Beeswax contains vitamin A, which is also very helpful because it promotes cell regeneration and aids in the healing process.

Like beeswax, olive oil promotes cell regeneration and fights inflammation because of its abundant antioxidants, which include vitamin E and polyphenols.

How to Treat Burns and Scars with Grandma's Remedy

Wounds and Scars

Clean the wound. Use a mild soap and warm water. Pat it dry. Apply a layer of Grandmas SSB cream and cover with a bandage to keep clean. Change the bandage twice a day, unless it gets wet and dirty first.

Burns

To stop additional tissue damage, cool your burn by submerging it in gently running water that is comfortably cool for 15 to 20 minutes. Use a mild soap and water that is a little warmer than cold to gently clean the burn area. Do not scrub, as you'll tear the damaged tissue. Pat dry. Cover the entire burn area with a thin layer of Grandma's cure. Lightly cover with a bandage.

Monitor your wounds closely during the healing process. You should see your doctor if you notice any changes in color, discharge, swelling, or increased redness or itch. These could be symptoms of an infection.

The Recipe

You can make this in two ways. The first way is to make the plant oils and extracts, a two-step procedure using fresh plant material. The second step is making the salve.

Stick with me; it's easy.

The second approach is the recipe below. In the off-season, when fresh plants may not be as readily available, this method works well. (AKA, you're going to purchase the materials to make this, which is just fine.) Remember, organic is best, but not required.

Grandma's Treatment for Burns and Scars, AKA Grandma's SSB Cream

• Organic Broadleaf Plantain Oil, 1 tablespoon
• Organic olive oil, 1 tablespoon
• A fat rosemary sprig
• 25 organic calendula essential oil drops
• 15 drops of organic lavender essential oil
• 2 tablespoons of organic beeswax, chunks, shavings or pellets
• 1/8 teaspoon of organic coconut oil

Directions

Heat everything together (except the beeswax) in a canning jar that is open on a trivet in a small saucepan with water filled halfway up to the canning jar over medium to high heat. If you don't have a trivet, you can take foil and roll it into a coil shape to put your jar on. You just don't want your canning jar sitting on the bottom of the pan.

Stir it well, making sure the rosemary gets stirred around.

After 8 minutes, take the rosemary out. Reduce the heat and gradually begin adding the beeswax to the hot oil, a teaspoon at a time, stirring and adding more as the teaspoon melts.

Turn off the heat when you have all your beeswax in, and let it sit in there until you can safely handle the jar. It will be HOT.

You can carefully pour your cream into smaller containers with lids or keep it in the same jar; just cover it.

As soon as it cools and hardens, you can use it! Store it in a cool, dry place, and it will keep for years as long as it doesn't smell rancid.