Back In Black is My Herbal Whipped Salve
It’s no secret that I love bringing back the old remedies and giving them a modern twist. My Back In Black salve is one of those creations I feel especially proud of. This little 1 oz tin packs a serious punch when it comes to drawing out infections, soothing insect bites, and even helping with those pesky splinters that refuse to budge.
Black salve has a long, sometimes controversial history.
A Remedy with Deep Roots
Black salve goes way back—about 150 years and even further. Native Americans were already using Bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis) combined with crushed ash as a type of “cancer remedy.” Around 1850, Jesse Fell learned of their practice and added zinc chloride to the mix, creating a paste for skin cancer treatments.
While the idea was groundbreaking at the time, zinc chloride can be toxic and harsh, especially for delicate skin. Sadly, that part of the story isn’t always made clear by manufacturers of natural remedies.
That’s why I chose to create my own modern herbal approach, one that nods to history but leaves behind the questionable parts.
My Inspiration has Pennsylvania Dutch Roots
The Pennsylvania Dutch used black salve with pine tar as one of their healing bases. I loved their approach but wanted something gentler, fresher, and still effective. So instead of pine tar, I opted for local honey and activated charcoal. The result is a whipped salve that not only looks striking but also feels nourishing on the skin.
What’s Inside My Back In Black
Every single ingredient in this blend was chosen for its specific purpose. Here’s what makes it so powerful:
🌿 Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
Known as the “knit-bone” plant, comfrey has a long tradition for helping bruises and fresh wounds. It’s rich in mucilages, antiseptic, and scar-healing. Gerard once wrote, “A salve concocted from fresh herb will certainly tend to promote the healing of bruised and broken parts.”
🌿 Plantain (Plantago major)
Nicknamed “white man’s foot,” plantain quickly spread across the land once it was introduced. This backyard staple is cooling, soothing, and an incredible ally for chronic wounds, sores, and skin irritation.
🌼 Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula is my go to flower for all things skin health. It restores, heals, and calms lesions and open wounds. It’s no wonder it has been cherished in creams, oils, and baths for centuries.
🪨 Kaolin Clay
Gentle yet effective, kaolin clay helps tone the skin without over-drying. It removes impurities, balances oil, and even encourages skin cell regeneration.
🍯 Raw Honey (Manuka Preferred)
Nature’s sweetest healer. Honey helps balance skin bacteria, speeds healing, and even exfoliates. Manuka honey takes it up another notch with its extra antibacterial power.
⚫ Activated Charcoal
This light, porous powder works like a magnet for toxins. It absorbs impurities and environmental exposures while gently exfoliating the skin. It also helps release beneficial plant oils during blending.
💜 Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender really is the universal oil. From anti-fungal to antibacterial to skin-healing, this oil calms irritation while supporting the skin’s natural repair.
🌱 Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Gentle but mighty, tea tree oil fights off microbes, fungi, and inflammation. It’s antiviral, antibacterial, and a strong ally for stubborn skin issues.
How to Use
Applying is simple:
- Dab the salve directly onto the affected area.
- Leave it for 2–3 hours or even overnight if needed.
- Repeat with a second or repeated applications if necessary.
Because of its rich, sticky quality, cleanup takes a bit more effort. I recommend using a good castile soap to wash it all off.
Why I Love This Salve
To me, Back In Black isn’t just a product, it’s a bridge between herbal traditions and modern wellness. I’ve taken the wisdom of the past, honored it, and reshaped it into something safe, natural, and incredibly useful for today’s families.
From insect bites to splinters to those minor skin irritations that always seem to pop up at the worst times, this little black tin has your back.
Back In Black is proof that sometimes the oldest remedies really do have the most staying power.
