Pine resin salve
Embrace the warmth and charm of pine in herbalism by foraging and making a delightfully aromatic pine resin salve using infused oil and beeswax.
With all the spring scents filling in the warming air around us, one of my favorites remains the humble pine (Pinus spp.). With hints of resin, earth, and wood, this surely is a tree mostly associated with the winter months, and for good reason! However, pine is a friendly tree I like to lean on throughout the whole year, as part of my bioregional herbal practice.
The many species of pine (Pinus spp.), such as Pinus pinaster (our local friend!), Pinus pinea and Pinus nigra, are commonly sought for their needles and young buds, which are both best collected during spring as young shoots. Pine has a warming energetic and is rich in tannins, resin, and essential oils. It has antiseptic, expectorant, stimulant, and tonic actions, counting a long traditional use for respiratory infections and nervous system support, among others. Here’s a comforting pine recipe I’ve shared before, if you want a simple and down-to-earth recipe to bring you closer to this tree.
Pine also has an affinity with the skin and, for its antimicrobial and drawing actions, can soothe skin irritations and cuts, and be helpful in drawing splinters and other small objects embedded in the skin. For this type of topical use, pine resin is a wonderful part of the tree to work with!
Ever since I gifted myself Herbal Academy’s Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book, I dog-eared the page with a pine resin salve recipe as this is something I’ve been wanting to try for a long, long time, but needed a little push, or a little inspiration, to go out and forage, and gather my supplies and just make it. And so I did. And it was so worth it! Collecting pine resin requires some time and dedication and it’s important to remember that the reason is the tree’s own wound-healing mechanism, so collect with care, picking out pits that are dripping down the tree below broken branches and other wounds. (Also, if you are a fellow dweller of the Mediterranean region and are collecting resin this season, be mindful that the processionary caterpillars are now emerging from their nests up in the pine trees, so you will want to avoid standing below potential nests, to avoid any furry and highly irritating caterpillars falling on you. I recommend collecting resin during summer and into winter.)
The recipe below comes from the Botanical Skin Care Recipe Book but is adapted to the ingredients I used, since I had herb-infused olive oil sitting in my apothecary, and to the quantities I had available, since I didn’t collect a lot of resin. You could use plain oil as your carrier oil for this recipe (olive oil, almond, or grapeseed would all be lovely choices) or, like me, use some of your own herb-infused oil for some extra vulnerary and antimicrobial goodness. Calendula (Calendula officinalis), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), or yarrow (Achillea millefolium) are beautiful choices. Double or triple this recipe as needed! The quantities below make 1 small tin of salve.
Ingredients
1/8 cup pine (Pinus spp.) resin
1/4 cup calendula (Calendula officinalis) and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata) infused olive oil
1 tbsp beeswax
directions
Place the pine resin and oil in a double boiler (I use a small pan fitted inside a larger one, with a bit of water at the bottom). Bring to a gentle simmer and heat until resin has melted and combined with the oil
Strain mixture through a coffee filter or fine mesh strainer (since resin can be hard to wash off, don’t use your best strainer!)
Return to double boiler and add beeswax. Gently heat until mixture is melted.
Pour into a tin or jar and let cool, then cap.
Label and store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
If ever there was a salve that fully captured the aroma of the herb, this is it! This salve is so aromatic that I almost want to use it as perfume. So, as you can imagine, every minor bruise, sting, or tiny splinter has been a good excuse to pull this off the shelf… If you have ever made it, you know what I mean!
And if you plan to make it, I would love to know how it goes! 🤗🌲✨