Gardener, heal thyself with Triple Antibiotic Summer Salve: How to make the salve

This antiseptic, anti-inflammatory salve, created by certified herbalist Pam Thompson, can be made in 2½ to 3 hours. Thompson says it's effective on bee stings, insect bites, poison ivy, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, diaper rash, windburns, sunburn, cuts, scrapes and bruises. It calls for plant ingredients that grow in most lawns and is made with an olive oil/beeswax base.

Triple AntibioticSummer Salve

1 handful of self-heal leaves (Prunella vularis)

1 handful of plantain leaves (Plantago major)

1 handful of yarrow leaves (Achillea millefolium)

8 ounces cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil

4 to 5 tablespoons grated beeswax

2 Vitamin E capsules (400 IU each)

With a knife, chop leaves to release medicinal properties. Put chopped leaves into a pan (glass or enamel work best) and cover with olive oil. Cover pot with lid. Bring mixture to just under a simmer, but do not boil.

Keep on very low heat for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally and mashing/bruising vegetable matter with back of spoon. Remove from heat, uncover and let mixture sit for an hour or two.

Strain out vegetable material. Add 4 to 5 tablespoons of grated beeswax. (More beeswax will result in a thicker salve. A ratio of 3 to 4 parts olive oil to 1 part beeswax makes for a good salve consistency).

Heat beeswax/olive oil mixture slowly, until beeswax is just melted (140 degrees). Cut open vitamin E capsules and squeeze oil into the mixture. Stir. Pour into 1-ounce plastic containers. Leave them out at least a half-hour, away from the sun, to cool and set before putting the lid on.

Label and date. Should remain effective two years.

Storage: Store in medicine cabinet. Don't leave salve in a hot location or move it in and out of the refrigerator.

Warning: Never use ingredients from lawns and area where Roundup weed killer or other chemicals have been used, nor along roadways or from areas where cars have driven.