My folks always used bag balm, and its a very good product in the sense that it does just what it say, but as a big old grown up now that can read the sides of packages, I just shook my head, no way do I want to rub some of that into the skin of my cow’s teats..
But you need to treat the teats with a nice salve if you want to help prevent issues with dry teats, or sore teats or scabby teats..
So I decided to do a little research on this and found that most of the organic salves or creams are peppermint based.. fair enough and easy to do..
So here is my 1st version of farmgal.
Girl’s Pepperment Bag Balm -Makes 8 oz
3.5 z’s of clean rendered lard
3.5 oz’s of high quality olive oil
1 oz of pure organic beeswax
15 drop of peppermint EO
5 drops of lemon EO
5 drops of lemongrass EO
Measure out the amounts, I want to make this fresh as needed so I made enough for two 4oz canning jars. I used my soap making scale so it was bang on in weights, then I slowly and very gently melted out the lard/beeswax, allowed to cool, then added the EO, mixed and poured into the jars. This is a nice thick but easily gotten out of the jar salve that melts perfectly at body temp, and girl seems to love it.. the top notes are very much the peppermint with the nice lemon undertones.






And how about your hands? Normally during canning season, when we are also heavy into firewood, and I still have my hands in the dirt, my hands get so dry they crack. I will put bag balm on nice and thick after dinner and not wash until the next morning. (I figured this out after evening milking – go figure) It certainly helps but I’m betting your recipe is better.
https://livingmydreamlifeonthefarm.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/healing-salves-yeast-or-heat-skin-rash-blend/
I have been using they healing salve for my hands as well, amazing stuff! highly recommend it..
Add some Vit E to your Balm. I heals faster and it’s soothing…
Thanks for your impute, I don’t much like the sources of the available vit E that I can buy, so at this time, I will refrain from adding it in, but you are most correct, it is very healing.
Could I substitute organic palm shortening for the rendered lard? Thanks!
honesty I don’t know, I don’t use palm, but you could use coconut oil.. let me know how it turns out.
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Where do you get your ingredients from?
the lard is from my pigs, the rest is from my local stores
beeswax is from a local guy down the road