A Brief Introduction to Emollient Herbs & Their Applications

“Healing with medicinal plants is as old as mankind itself.”
Of the plants, flowers, and herbs that have been used since the beginning of time to assist in healing; those with emollient properties offer incredibly simple & accessible healing uses. Emollient herbs go far beyond almond, echinacea, slippery elm, and arnica; however, these four herbs are user-friendly and relatively easy to find in your local & specialty markets.

What are emollient herbs?
Emollient herbs are used externally to soften and soothe the skin. It is generally understood that mucilage rich herbs often offer the best emollient properties. Emollients have the capability of breaking up dead skin and restoring moisture..
Popular in skin care formulations, emollient herbs such as almond, slippery elm, comfrey, and arnica can often be found alone or a component of such healing blends. Such herbal treatments are highly beneficial for skin dis-eases like dermatitis, eczema, & psoriasis
There are numerous means in which one may prepare and administer emollient herbs. External washes, poultices, and ointments are just a few ways to incorporate these herbs into your own healing regime.

ALMOND [prunus amygdalus]
A popular plant used internally & externally almond lends itself to an array of applications. Externally the sweet variety of this emollient herb is great for hair & skin application. Relieve dry skin, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, & even remove makeup.

• Use of Sweet Almond Oil:
  • Apply to clean skin at least two times daily [morning/evening] to add moisture back to the skin.
  • Apply oil to a cotton swab or soft cloth & remove makeup. Follow by gently cleansing your face.
  • Use as a carrier oil for essential oils or other healing herbs
    

​ARNICA [arnica montana]:
Used as an ointment arnica, helps to promote the healing of wounds, bruises, and irritation. Arnica may also be used as a compress on the stomach to relieve abdominal pain.

• Ointment: Heat 1 oz. flowers in 1 oz. olive oil or cocoa butter in a water bath [double broiler] for a few hours. Strain through several layers of cheesecloth.
  • Apply daily to affected area
  • See Below
• Compress: Soak a cloth or towel in an infusion or decoction of arnica tea. Wring out the excess, & apply to the affected area.
  • Leave on until it is warmed by body heat, usually 15-20 min.
  • Repeat application with a fresh compress. Continue until relieved.

COMFREY [symphytum officinale]
Externally comfrey may be used to assist in healing wounds, bruises, sores, and insect bites. The hot pulp of the rootstock makes a good external application for bronchitis, pleurisy, as well as for the pain & inflammation of pulled tendons.

• Pulp: Stir fresh, chopped rootstock into a little hot water to form a thick mash. You may also add this pulp to a slippery elm poultice.
  • Spread on a linen cloth & apply.
  • Renew every 2-4 hours.

SLIPPERY ELM [ulmus fulva]
It is said that there is “no superior in the line of poultices, used either alone or combined with other herbs” than slippery elm. Slippery elm may be applied externally as a remedy for inflamed skin & wounds. It has popularly been used to make rectal & vaginal suppositories.
Slippery elm poultices are often used as a carrier or base for herbs such as wormwood, goldenseal, comfrey, and more.

• Poultice
  • Ground slippery elm with water or strong herbal teas such as chamomile.
  • Ensure that you strain the concoction very well through a cheesecloth & ensure that no parts of the herb heal into an open wound.
  • See below

---

Ointment: 
Mix well one part of the remedy in powdered form with four parts of almond oil, coco butter, or a similar substance. For purists, an old method is to boil the ingredients in water until the desired properties are extracted.
​
Strain the liquid, add the decoction to olive oil or other vegetable oil, & simmer until the water has completely evaporated. Add more cocoa butter as needed to get a firm consistency.

Melt the mixture by heating slowly, & stir until completely blended.

Poultice:
Bruise, or crush the medicinal parts of the plant to a pulpy mass & heat. If using dried plants [or even if needed w. fresh plants], moisten the materials by mixing with a hot, soft, adhesive substance, such as a moist flower or corn meal.

Apply directly to the skin. You may also spread the paste or pulp on a wet, hot cloth, apply, & wrap the cloth around to help retain moisture & heat. [Moisten the cloth periodically as necessary]

Bruise or crush the medicinal parts of the plant to a pulpy mass then heat.
When you have sat with the herb for at least 20min and no more than blank depending on the herb proceed to wash off the healing formula with warm water or chamomile herbal tea, which will help remove any additional residue.

---

Resources:
http://www.anniesremedy.com/chart.php?prop_ID=59
http://mountainroseblog.com/understanding-herbal-actions/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3358962/