Wild Medicinal Spruce Hand Salve

Today, I'm back at the cabin to show you how to make a quick and easy medicinal hand salve from spruce pitch, bee's wax and olive oil. Remember to research wild medicinal ingredients before use to determine if they are safe to use in your particular case. Follow me on social media. Links below:
Facebook: / thewildyam
Instagram: llthwildyamll
Twitter: @jenthewildyam
Intro Sound:
www.orangefrees...
Music:
www.bensound.com

[@PumpkinVillage]

Very nice project. That last jar has perfect fire starters in it. We take wax, wood pellets, cotton balls and candlewicks to make our own fire starters. Really good to have in the winter. Take care, Al

[@TheWildYam]

Thanks! Yes, I think I might melt down that last container again and make firestarters..

[@mirandaf2112]

I was gifted spruce salve this last Fall and it was amazing. The best salve I’ve ever had. Thank you for showing how to make it.

[@shovelhead8]

Nice easy project with readily available supplies. Thank you for the video, Jen

[@TheWildYam]

Very true. Not sure if you can get double boilers like the one in this video but you can use a pot and a metal bowl nested in it if needed. Thanks for watching!

[@wallaceviviansadventures2095]

that's awesome Jen.you got a good supply for the winter

[@TheWildYam]

I just made lots more and put it into 2 oz little metal tins. It's great stuff.

[@WhiteBirdMustFly1]

Yes, I have Sitka Spruce nearby. Hadn't looked for pitch. But Pine, Yes! I love pine salve, coconut oil and beeswax!

[@TheWildYam]

Sounds great!

[@bushcraftnorthof6012]

My wife makes a lot of this. It's great for dry skin in the winter, but really anytime. Makes great gifts, too. And nice for the beard. Take care.

[@TheWildYam]

Yes, everyone got one in their stocking!

[@sandilobianco6734]

Very informative. Could you explain more on making the char cloth? Did you put something in the tin to get the cloth?

[@scottcetnar8043]

Love your videos. I have a question? In watching this video you gave out a recipe for the pitch salve. 30 ml is about 2 tablespoons of beeswax. However what you put into the double boiler looked to be much more than 2 tablespoons. I understand that to thicken or make the salve more solid you added more beeswax. Is it my understanding that a 1/2 cup of pitch and a cup of olive oil are really what needs to be followed. I was going to add in hemp seed oil and frankincense resin to the recipe you gave of olive oil, beeswax, and pitch resin. Your thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you and I look forward to your videos.

[@dominicpower4222]

Might have to give that a try. Thanks for sharing Jen.

[@TheWildYam]

It's great stuff. Great extra barrier with your skin once the cold damp Winter weather is upon us.

[@jeffclarkofclarklesparkle3103]

Here's a solution for wondering how thick it is at any moment... I make this too and yes it's freaking amazing... Ok simply take a popsicle stick or something once your mixture is fully melted together and dip and let cool, then smear test it on your hand and rub in like you normally would to have a pretty accurate test at any moment after adding different ingredients. P.s. a 2 or 3 hour simmer is called for in old recipes, cooking off the volatiles makes it safer from naturally occurring fuels

[@AdamCraigOutdoors]

great job Jen. I bet it smells awesome!!

[@TheWildYam]

It does. Thanks for watching Adam.

[@goosehunter4845]

Awesome Video JEN, That Was Beautiful,.. I Love The Smell of Spruce, The Salve Looked Good Enough To Eat LOL,... And Your Right It Would Make Wonderful Candles, My Grandmother Would Boil Spruce Tops And Use it for every Thing From Washing Her skin to Spruce Tea, And Spruce Beer, Love your Videos Have a Great week,

[@TheWildYam]

Wonderful! Spruce beer eh? Sounds tasty.

[@olive4naito]

Is the recipe for her spruce beer a secret?

[@jdm3111]

Lovely! May I ask what ratio you used? Oil vs wax? Thanks

[@albertopick3585]

You make it look so simple! Thankyou! Do you know of any E.O. that can be added in?

[@FoodForThought.]

Love the video Jen. Is there specific rartio's of oil to Pine pitch and bees wax? I'm off work for the next few weeks so I'll get out to get the Pine pitch. Eddie

[@TheWildYam]

The recipie is 1/2 cup spruce pitch, 1 cup olive oil and 30ml melted beeswax (I used about 60 ml in the video for a thicker consistency). I hope you have fun in the woods!

[@FoodForThought.]

TheWildYam Thanks Jen :)

[@ecomamaadmin3328]

@@TheWildYamWhat will the recipe be using soy wax instead of beeswax?

[@acw3007]

Great video!!! I bet it sure smells amazing

[@spaceaged]

So the bees wax/oil completely removes the stickiness? Can you use MCT oil in place of the olive oil?

[@TheSunRiseKid]

Great video! I just SUBSCRIBED!😊🌱

[@avanti2762]

Hi! What if my pitch came stuck with needles bark and bugs, how do I purify it?

[@nicolecrystal6765]

Can't find your screen? Pre-filter?so lost and storebought

[@jeffclarkofclarklesparkle3103]

1 step I've heard you should do to release natural toxins is simmer your solution for at least an hour. I make it by fire refining in a funnel. I really should try a double boil with my latest batch and the cheesecloth method though. Mine is dark because i make tar first but you should try some essential oils in yours as well as lanolin, which is a nice creamy texture that gets added to the mix. It heals my extreme dermatitis on my hands daily, which bleeds eventually if not handled...also has helped with psoriasis 😁💖💖💖

[@justinfinke9249]

Could a person use birch oil instead of vegetable oil?

[@CowgirlAtHeart]

Are the different benefits from spruce pitch vs. pine pitch?

[@Thelonelyscavenger]

I just used up all my sap for fire starters but next time I will make this. Love it!

[@TheWildYam]

You'll love it! I healed a couple good cuts on my hand with it already.

[@CalvinsCorner72]

I thoroughly enjoyed this video thank you so much you're very smart and creative.

[@TheWildYam]

Thanks for your your kind comment Calvin!

[@GSD1963]

Hello . Was there a video where you collected the spruce pitch . I’m new to your channel and love it . Trying to catch up on your videos but haven’t seen where you collected spruce pitch . Haha don’t even know what it is . But would love to make this for my family especially my husband . Dry skin is terrible for him in the winter .

[@TheWildYam]

+Teresa Mccoy It was the video about backyard foraging where I got this batch. It is the sap secreted by a spruce tree from an injured part of the tree. For example of a branch is cut off the sap oozes out, thickens and acts as a bandaid to the tree. Healing properties for is too!

[@olive4naito]

Thanks for the video. I have two questions. Would you say the difference between the scent of spruce and pine are pretty distinct? I feel like they are quite different and yet when people take in the smell of spruce beer, a lot of them say it smells like Pine Sol. And just curious but are those containers BPA free? Plastic is less likely to shatter than glass I suppose, but I don't really trust plastic to not contain toxic chemicals. I might use tins if I can find them.

[@WhiteBirdMustFly1]

Fabric stores have a lot of choices, JoAnns being west coast resource of tins, jars etc.

[@theedscape8002]

Is there anything you can't do, and is that where you get your beautiful complexion?

[@TheWildYam]

It is great stuff for the skin! Nature's best. Thanks Eddie!

[@tammyrourke7054]

What would your thoughts be on using coconut oil instead of olive? I'm curious how it would work, due to it's being solid or liquid depending on room temp.

[@giblets4510]

A bit late, but if anyone else is using it for reference: If you’re using in the home, when it’s mostly solid, I’d recommend forgoing the beeswax or adding a bit of liquid oil and a smaller amount of beeswax. But if you use it and you live in a warmer climate, are often outdoors, don’t want it melting and making a huge mess, I’d recommend adding beeswax. But you won’t need as much, just a bit (half the amount vs olive oil) to keep it solid.

[@michelleshealinghome]

Thank you for the straight-forward and thorough tutorial!! I have filtered pine pitch that a friend gifted me and I've been meaning to use some of it to make salves and an infused oil. Your video will help me do just that. Thanks!

[@locksbog4270]

Nice Jen, well done!!!!! You Rock !!! Thanks for sharing. 👍👍👍😃

[@TheWildYam]

Thanks! I appreciate you taking the time to watch my video! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@ukulelekitten15]

QUESTION: Newbie here...what is spruce pitch, where do you find it, and is there a particular season when it can be found? Great video. Relaxing and informative. (Succinct and concise without a ton of chat, 👍🏼lol) Really enjoyed learning from you today. Thanks and all the best❣️🕊

[@waahlgaaljaad]

Spruce pitch salve is THE BEST for putting on a wound to draw out anything that could cause infection! It's AMAZING!

[@samsoutdooradventures88]

Very cool! I bet that smells good!

[@TheWildYam]

It smells like the woods. I love it!

[@HaphazardHomestead]

Spruce trees have so many good things to offer! And your video shows the value in collecting that pitch whenever there's a good opportunity.

[@TheWildYam]

I always have my eyes open for more! It's healthy stuff.

[@leemandy2548]

Would it help with joint pain

[@shawnafineart1171]

Oh my gosh, what a relaxing yet informative video! You’ve recorded soothing sounds of nature, crackling fire, crickets, and you can just feel the tranquil elements throughout.. one can just imagine that peaceful experience with the scent of spruce in the air! Thank you for this wonderful educational, yet moment to capture of God’s country of medicinal treasures!

[@kidrockfan69]

Would pine pitch work?

[@TheWildYam]

Absolutely!

[@JanineMJoi]

I've never seen that [starting the fire] in my entire life. that was COOL

[@ecomamaadmin3328]

Fascinating how you started the fire so quickly ... when some people try doing it with friction. How does one get the fresno glass? What material do you use for the char paper?

[@jehjey7626]

Lee Valley Tools has that magnifier - cheap.

[@justinewilmot379]

Hi I like your recipe and I have the boreal herbal book. My partner and got a bear this season and rendered down the fat. I want to use bear grease in combination with spruce pitch to make a salve but am unsure how much to put in. Do you have any recomendations?

[@TheWildYam]

Sorry, not sure as I haven't used bear grease before. I think you may want beeswax in there to firm up the salve but I'm not sure of the ratio. It would be fun to experiment.

[@johnhenry5581]

Could you use Vaseline instead of olive oil?

[@TheWildYam]

I wouldn't . Vaseline is a petroleum product. Even thought that doesn't cause health concerns, I think the texture may be different. You could try it and see if you like it.

[@yotagerlie]

Thank you my dear for this video ! I have been meaning to make a salve lately as my hands are starting to crack and bleed ty

[@TheWildYam]

You're very welcome. It is awesome stuff isn't it ? I healed a couple of cuts on my hand this week with it. Works really well :)

[@mauricepowers3804]

Two questions one can you use sesame oil instead of olive oil and two do you sell this because I’d like to buy some

[@TheWildYam]

+Maurice Powers I don't sell this unfortunately. I think sesame oil is lighter so you may have to add more beeswax to solidify it as the texture may be runnier? Not sure. You could experiment. Seems like it would smell great!

[@mauricepowers3804]

TheWildYam thank you

[@SuperSuperRaza]

Awesome information.

[@TheWildYam]

You're welcome!

[@evanshomestead1313]

Making this for sure !

[@bassledgen]

Great video Jenn I'm going to have to try and make some.

[@TheWildYam]

You'll love it Rory. It's easy and works really well.

[@2498greg]

Awesome 👍👍

[@TheWildYam]

thanks!

[@debbiefromillinois532]

Jen, you have great pouring skills! I probably would have made a mess. :-)

[@TheWildYam]

Thanks Debbie! I was worried I'd spill too!