Last Updated on December 22, 2024 by Kiersten
Amish black drawing salve is a reliable home remedy to remove splinters, metal shards, glass, boils, and insect stings. This recipe makes two jars that are shelf stable for one year.
This Amish black drawing salve replaces the need to become your very own toilet surgeon armed with a pair of tweezers in the bathroom.
It is a permanent fixture in my health cabinet and one of my favorite home remedies for splinters, thorns, insect stings, skin infections, metal shavings, and shards of glass.
You can find it for sale at any local Amish market as it is relied upon by nearly every family who knows of it. That’s how well it works.
If you don’t have a market nearby, making it at home is very simple and affordable. Personally, I like being able to control where I source ingredients from and feel confident in the purity of the drawing salve.
Homemade salves also make wonderful DIY gifts for the hardworking men in our lives. My husband keeps one in his working bag as he is prone to metal shavings from wire cuttings. They get lodged deeply in his skin about once each month similar to splinters.
What Is A Drawing Salve?
Amish Black Drawing Salve is an herbal ointment rooted in tradition and practicality. Known for its deep black color and odd blend of natural ingredients, this salve has been used for generations to heal minor cuts, boils, splinters, insect bites, and other untimely skin issues.
The “drawing” name refers to its ability to draw out toxins, foreign objects, and impurities from the skin, making it an absolute must have in any home remedy natural health cabinet.
All Natural Ingredients
This recipe for an Amish black drawing salve uses simple ingredients that can bed easily sourced from quality suppliers.
- Calendula Oil: Calendula is known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties making it an obvious choice for irritated skin. I make homemade calendula oil with first cold-pressed olive oil infused with dried calendula flowers.
- Castor Oil: Castor oil is a very thick, nourishing oil that supports the drawing action and helps soften the skin.
- Beeswax: Thickens the salve to a balm-like consistency while also offering moisturizing properties.
- Raw Honey: Raw honey is anti-microbial which helps to fight or heal infection at the site of injury.
- Activated Charcoal: Gives this salve its signature black color and is known for its ability to draw out toxins and impurities.
- Bentonite Clay: Enhances the drawing action and helps pull out splinters, stingers, or other irritants from the skin.
Amish Black Drawing Salve Recipe
This recipe makes about two jars, which is plenty for most families.
Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup calendula oil
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 2 teaspoons beeswax
- 1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions:
Place the calendula oil, castor oil, and beeswax pastilles in a double boiler or using the jar in pot method.
Gradually melt down the beeswax to liquid. Stir often to encourage even temperature distribution. This can take about 5 to 7 minutes.
Carefully remove from the heat and stir in the activated charcoal and bentonite clay. You can mix this in the jar you used to melt down the wax or pour it into a separate bowl, which ever is easier to clean. I prefer stainless steel bowls.
Stir in the honey until evenly combined.
Pour the liquid into a clean, sterile jar for setting. You can use one 4oz jar or two 2oz jars to divide the mixture.
Place the jars in the refrigerator to set for about 15 minutes. Leave the tops off of the jars until the mixture has completely cooled.
Label and store in a cool, dark place. It should easily remain shelf stable for one year depending on the quality of your calendula oil.
How to Use Amish Black Drawing Salve
- Clean the Area: Before applying the salve, wash the affected area with warm water and gentle soap.
- Apply the Salve: Spread a small amount of the salve directly over the skin irritation, boil, or splinter.
- Cover and Wait: Cover the area with a clean bandage and allow the salve to work its magic for at least 12-24 hours.
- Repeat Until Healed: Repeat daily until the skin ailment is resolved.
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Amish Black Drawing Salve
Amish black drawing salve is a reliable home remedy to remove splinters, metal shards, glass, boils, and insect stings. This recipe makes two jars that are shelf stable for one year.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup calendula oil
- 2 tablespoons castor oil
- 2 teaspoons beeswax
- 1 tablespoon activated charcoal powder
- 1 tablespoon bentonite clay powder
- 1 tablespoon honey
Instructions
- Place the calendula oil, castor oil, and beeswax pastilles in a double boiler or using the jar in pot method.
- Gradually melt down the beeswax to liquid. Stir often to encourage even temperature distribution. This can take about 5 to 7 minutes.
- Carefully remove from the heat and stir in the activated charcoal and bentonite clay. You can mix this in the jar you used to melt down the wax or pour it into a separate bowl, which ever is easier to clean. I prefer stainless steel bowls.
- Stir in the honey until evenly combined.
- Pour the liquid into a clean, sterile jar for setting. You can use one 4oz jar or two 2oz jars to divide the mixture.
- Place the jars in the refrigerator to set for about 15 minutes. Leave the tops off of the jars until the mixture has completely cooled.
- Label and store in a cool, dark place for up to one year.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please take all direction for health matters from your family’s primary health provider. All content on naturalhomeapothecary.com is for educational purposes only.
