homemade drawing salve for splinters

Homemade Black Drawing Salve For Itches, Rashes & Bug Bites

The campfires and warm sunny days that come along with summer can easily be marred by pesky bugs. Bug bites, poison ivy and other skin irritants can be uncomfortable and even harmful. With this black drawing salve you'll soothe the itch, and draw out any toxins from the skin.

Are Conventional Anti-Itch Creams Safe?

Usually a topical or oral anti-histamine is used to relieve itchiness and inflammation. While this may treat the symptoms, it doesn't actually get rid of the problem. Even worse, it can cause side effects in some people. In severe cases these can include blurred vision, extreme fatigue, dizziness or breathing problems.

Activated Charcoal Benefits

This natural substance absorbs and traps toxins in the body. It's frequently used to lessen the effects of food poisoning, even in hospitals. When used on the skin as part of this salve, it draws the toxins out of the skin that are causing the itch and irritation. Not only does it draw out the sting from bites and rashes, but it can even help pull out splinters and pieces of glass that have become lodged in the skin.

Bentonite Clay Benefits

This clay is naturally formed from sediments in the earth and is known as a healing and cleansing substance. It's very high in minerals and has the unique ability to release these minerals into the body as it bonds to the toxins. Bentonite clay is fantastic for the face and oxygenates the skin by pulling excess hydrogen from the cells.

Homemade Black Drawing Salve For Itches, Rashes & Bug Bites

How To Make Black Drawing Salve (perfect for bug bites and poison ivy!)

Ingredients:

1 T Activated Charcoal (available here)
1 T Bentonite clay (available here)
½ cup Carrier oil of choice for example olive, sweet almond or grapeseed.
2 tsp Beeswax (available here)
25 drops Lavender essential oil (available here)

Supplies:

Pot
Heat safe glass bowl
Metal spoon
6 oz metal tin or glass jar

Directions:

Combine the oil and beeswax in the glass bowl. Fill the pot half way with water and put it over medium-high heat. Perch the glass bowl on top of the pot to create a double boiler effect. Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low.
Stir the mixture occasionally with the metal spoon, just until combined and melted. Carefully remove the bowl from the heat, and allow it to cool until semi-solid in the fridge: you don't want it to be hard. It should be the texture of soft Vaseline when done.
Add the bentonite clay, lavender essential oil and charcoal to the oil mixture and combine with a hand mixer on low until smooth.
Use a spatula to scrape the mixture out into your container of choice.

To use the charcoal drawing salve:

Apply to rashes, bites, splinters and other skin irritations caused by toxins.
Do not wipe off, leave it on. Reapply every 12 hours or so as needed.
This can be covered with a bandage after its applied to avoid any messes. Charcoal will stain lightly colored clothing!