Monday, November 5, 2012

Something For Scrapes and Bruises

When you have four children (or any for that matter) you need something for the inevitable 'boo-boos'.  I found this recipe for a Calendula salve a few years ago and since then I have tweaked the heck out of it.  I have added Lanolin since it provides a protective barrier on the skin and helps to hold moisture into the skin.  I added Candelilla Wax to make it a bit harder.  And I added a bit of Coconut oil because it's supposed to have anti-fungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
We use this for everything scrapes, bumps, bruises, dry/cracked skin, basically anything you can think of.  I have even used it as a diaper rash/barrier cream.  As I've mentioned before we use cloth diapers and you have to be very careful about the type of creams you use.  I've used this off and on since #4 was born and I have not had any issues with her diapers repelling or stinking.  Which is what most Zinc based creams will do.
I have little pots of this salve all over the house and the kids run and get it whenever there is an 'incident'.  I think it also helps to take their mind off the pain and get them doing something for it.