This idea behind this salve was to gather the beautiful winter medicines offered by the north woods. The forest gives us exactly what we need in each season, and the result of my wandering and foraging is a salve that soothes dry skin, melts away aches and stiffness, and supports the healing of small cuts and scrapes. It smells faintly of wintergreen and evergreen, and has a very slight tingling effect when first applied.
White spruce (Picea glauca) resin: warming and antimicrobial, wonderful for stiff, cold joints and muscles.
Usnea (Usnea thrichodea): antibacterial and antifungal.
Sweet birch (Betula lenta): slightly analgesic and cooling, soothes away aches and pains.
