Summer is great for campfires and sunny days, but it also brings annoying bugs. Bug bites, poison ivy, and other skin irritants can be really uncomfortable and sometimes even harmful. This black drawing salve can help soothe the itch and draw out toxins from your skin.
Are Regular Anti-Itch Creams Safe?
Typically, people use topical or oral antihistamines to relieve itchiness and inflammation. While these can help with symptoms, they don’t actually solve the problem and might cause side effects like blurred vision, extreme fatigue, dizziness, or breathing issues in some cases.
Benefits of Activated Charcoal
Activated charcoal is a natural substance that absorbs and traps toxins in the body. It’s often used in hospitals to treat food poisoning. When applied to the skin in this salve, it helps draw out the toxins causing itchiness and irritation. It can also help remove splinters and pieces of glass stuck in the skin.
Benefits of Bentonite Clay
Bentonite clay is a natural substance formed from earth sediments, known for its healing and cleansing properties. It’s rich in minerals and can release these minerals into the body while bonding to toxins. It’s great for the skin, helping to oxygenate it by removing excess hydrogen from the cells.
How to Make Black Drawing Salve (Perfect for Bug Bites and Poison Ivy!)
Ingredients:
– 1 tablespoon activated charcoal
– 1 tablespoon bentonite clay
– ½ cup carrier oil (like olive, sweet almond, or grapeseed)
– 2 teaspoons beeswax
– 25 drops lavender essential oil
Supplies:
– Pot
– Heat-safe glass bowl
– Metal spoon
– 6 oz metal tin or glass jar
Directions:
1. Combine the oil and beeswax in the glass bowl. Fill the pot halfway with water and heat it over medium-high heat. Place the glass bowl on top of the pot to create a double boiler. Once the water boils, reduce the heat to medium-low.
2. Stir the mixture occasionally with the metal spoon until combined and melted. Carefully remove the bowl from the heat and let it cool in the fridge until it reaches a semi-solid state, like soft Vaseline.
3. Add the bentonite clay, lavender essential oil, and charcoal to the oil mixture. Blend with a hand mixer on low until smooth.
4. Use a spatula to transfer the mixture into your container of choice.
How to Use the Charcoal Drawing Salve:
Apply the salve to rashes, bites, splinters, and other skin irritations caused by toxins. Don’t wipe it off; leave it on and reapply every 12 hours as needed. You can cover it with a bandage to avoid messes, but be aware that charcoal can stain light-colored clothing.
