Comfrey Salve / Lotion

[Randy]

I am fairly new to making salves and have never made a lotion before. While attending the Herb Walk / Wound management workshop this past weekend, we made an infused oil with Comfrey, Calendula, and Marshmallow. We also learned that when making lotion it can be a good idea to add a cold infusion of the same herbs rather than just add water to the salve.

I wanted to take this new found knowledge so I went and gathered some Comfrey and Marshmallow roots, dried and ground them up, then stuck them in some water. The next day I basically had a jar of liquid that resembled very thick snot. My question is … what is going to happen when I add this to my salve? Will I end up with a lotion or will it end up being slime?

Appreciate any words of insight.

[IdahoHerbalist]

WELCOME to the world of the “snot” roots. They are BOTH very full of that. Even tinctures are difficult for those two.

What was the ratio of herb to water that you used? It does not take very much.

[Randy]

Unfortunately I didn’t measure very well, but I’m going to guess about 1 part ground root and 3-4 parts water. I’m assuming it should probably be a much larger ratio. Think I can just dilute the mixture before adding it to the salve?

[IdahoHerbalist]

SURE you can. Just like you can adjust the oil to wax ratio to get the slipperyness you need for that part. Experiment with it. Just make small batches of SALVE until you get the consistency you like.

[Author]

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