Why Skin Salves?

                When I was a child, I suffered from seborrheic dermatitis and a debilitating chronic skin condition that doctors couldn’t diagnose. My scalp was a mess of painful scabs, and my arms, legs, and feet were covered in agonizing rashes and abrasions that NEVER STOPPED ITCHING.

                My mom tried everything to soothe my skin, from tar shampoo to oatmeal baths to prescription tubs of industrial goop. But they offered little relief. She turned to herbalism and made a salve of calendula flower, comfrey, beeswax, and olive oil. The first time she rubbed that salve on my skin was the first time I’d ever felt true relief.

                After a year of her herbal salve, my seborrheic dermatitis was gone. And though the skin condition didn’t ever go away, the symptoms were significantly reduced and some disappeared forever. I was finally able to live my life as a normal child.

                Almost 30 years later, I moved from the city to Serenity Farm. I was so excited to take off my shoes and walk in the garden. But the dewy morning grass cut my feet like knives, and I developed itchy and painful psoriasis rashes on my feet and ankles.

                First, I went to the doctor. They prescribed a travel-sized toothpaste tube containing a thin, chalky, ooze. It smelled terrible and offered zero relief. I switched to Hydrocortisone, which helped a little but required constant reapplication. Then I tried a simple calendula flower salve, which soothed my skin but didn’t do anything to combat the rashes.

                Now I’m looking to the garden. Many of the herbs and flowers I’m growing for teas, seasonings, and decorative beauty are said to have healing topical properties. So I’m going to experiment until I find the right fit for my skin. And in doing so, I hope to gain a greater understanding of how I can help others with their skin issues as well. I’m at the beginning of my herbal skincare journey, and I’m excited to bring you along for the ride.