Old Fashioned Salves: A Quiet Kind of Care
Today I was thinking about salves — those simple little jars that hold so much old knowledge inside them. This past weekend, I was reorganizing my bookshelves and got distracted by my set of Foxfire books. The books are a famous series from the 1970s that preserves traditional Appalachian knowledge—everything from herbal medicine and blacksmithing to storytelling and moonshining. They grew out of a remarkable school project that unexpectedly became a national cultural movement. Check them out here. These books have been a continuous source of inspiration for me over the years. You should check them out if you are interested in stuff like this!
One of the things I care most deeply about—and what my business is built upon—is continuing the traditions and wisdom that have been handed down through generations. And salves are one of those traditions we have passed down for generations.
What are salves, anyway?
A salve is one of the oldest forms of herbal care. At its heart, it’s incredibly simple: herbs slowly infused into oil, then blended with natural wax until it becomes a soft balm. No water, no complicated ingredients. Just plants, oil, and wax working together.
Because salves are oil-based, they don’t soak in quickly like lotions. Instead, they rest gently on the skin, creating a protective layer while the herbal oils slowly do their work. I like that about them. They feel patient. Unhurried.
People have been using salves for generations to soothe and protect the skin — for dry patches, small cuts, bug bites, burns, and the everyday little things that happen to our bodies as we move through life. A small jar in the cupboard, ready when you need it.
Check out my tea tree salve here
The uniqueness of drawing salves
One type of salve I’ve always found interesting is a drawing salve. Traditionally made with ingredients like pine tar or charcoal, these salves were used when something needed to be pulled out of the skin — a splinter, a bit of debris, or an irritated spot that just needs a little help from nature. The thick balm is applied to the area, sometimes covered with a bandage, and left to sit while the skin softens and the body does what it naturally knows how to do.
Attagirls Drawing Salve is made using pine tar. This is an example of the inspiration I received from those Foxfire books I mentioned earlier. The pine tar adds extra drawing power to the salve. Read more about drawing salves here
Check out my drawing salve here
How to use a salve
Using a salve is simple. Clean the area, apply a small amount, rub it in gently, cover with a bandage. Nothing complicated. Just a quiet act of care.
Last thoughts
There’s something grounding about working with salves. Maybe it’s the slow process of infusing herbs, or the way the oils carry the scent of the plants they came from. It reminds me that taking care of ourselves doesn’t always need to be elaborate. Sometimes it can be as simple as opening a small jar, rubbing a little balm into the skin, and trusting the quiet wisdom of plants.
Simple things. Old things. The kind of care that has been passed down for generations.
