Scents of Summer: Make Three Simple Salves

 

The scents of summer are wafting through the air,, blooming in my brain and perfuming everything and here's how you can capture the essence of summer in salves to last all year round...

First, you will need to gather herbs, berries, and flowers.  A walk around the neighborhood and park yields lots of fresh materials...

To make the simple salves, combine five parts coconut oil with one part beeswax in bottles and let chill...

Wine Raspberries

Ripe red raspberries can be found everywhere in Baltimore this time of year, from the parks and highways to free farms and forests, they are everywhere.  Look for plump, purple and perfectly ripe berries hanging over the fence...

Honeysuckle

Who can forget the sweet scent and taste of Honeysuckle?  It was the first edible flower I collected as a child, and has been a favorite of mine since we made Honeysuckle Shortbread Cookies last year. Forage for the flowers at night, when the flower blooms best.

Lavender 

The soothing scent of lavender can calm a savage beast...I was able to find some fresh sprigs in a free farm box at Remington Community Garden.  The salve is sure to be as effective as lavender essential oil!