Chiggers, Pine sap and Mutton

[Gibby]

One of my favorite customers recently gave me a copy of an old home recipe for a salve for chiggers. I have no idea where it is from or its age, but I do know it was a reader write-in section. She could not recall the details of its origin. It is a recipe for help with chiggers, a salve made with clean pine sap and mutton or beef tallow, butter or lanolin. I thought everyone here would enjoy a home grown remedy.

Pine Sap Drawing salve:
1. Gather as much pine sap as you can - best when it is still pliable.
2. Put it in a clean can or something that can be thrown away when you're done.
3. Set the can in boiling water or on top of the iron stove, heat until the sap is melted enough to mix (stir with something that isn't important)
4. Add an equal amount of tallow - just enough so that it's not real sticky
5. Continue heating until fat is melted and well-mixed
6. Cool a little and pour a little into smaller containers.
Put a dab on a chigger site and cover with a small wrap. Do this for a couple of days and the chiggers will be gone! It is also a good drawing and healing salve for wounds that don't want to heal or splinters that won't come out. (Butter or lanolin can also be used if beef tallow is not available)

 

[woodjin]

One of my favorite customers recently gave me a copy of an old home recipe for a salve for chiggers. I have no idea where it is from or its age, but I do know it was a reader write-in section. She could not recall the details of its origin. It is a recipe for help with chiggers, a salve made with clean pine sap and mutton or beef tallow, butter or lanolin. I thought everyone here would enjoy a home grown remedy.

Pine Sap Drawing salve:
1. Gather as much pine sap as you can - best when it is still pliable.
2. Put it in a clean can or something that can be thrown away when you're done.
3. Set the can in boiling water or on top of the iron stove, heat until the sap is melted enough to mix (stir with something that isn't important)
4. Add an equal amount of tallow - just enough so that it's not real sticky
5. Continue heating until fat is melted and well-mixed
6. Cool a little and pour a little into smaller containers.
Put a dab on a chigger site and cover with a small wrap. Do this for a couple of days and the chiggers will be gone! It is also a good drawing and healing salve for wounds that don't want to heal or splinters that won't come out. (Butter or lanolin can also be used if beef tallow is not available)

That's cool. Thanks for posting it. Of course, the main thing is to avoid secondary infection from itching. I wonder if this salve serves to reduce the itch.

 

[Gibby]

Woodjin, I am curious myself if the salve works, but what a miserable way to find out!

 

[bobpbx]

The salve makers were under the presumption that chiggers were actually burrowed in and munching away. We all know that is a myth, so the salve must be also.

 

[LARGO]

I happened to be in Walmart shopping for an item and walked by the shelf with like items as above.
I found this tiny little bottle less that 2oz of "CHIGGEREX/PLUS".
It was a couple dollars so I bought it for the shelf at home. I figure what the heck.
I have had a couple little chiggings already but healed before buying this.
I will try it when next I am bitten.
But yeah, the damage is done once bitten. after that it's all about soothing in my mind.

Maybe I'll go roll in some ferns this weekend just so I can try it out. Sound like a plan?

I still like a dip in the swells of the Atlantic for chig bites, Poisy Ivy, and other such irritations.
Feels right good, the colder the better.
g.

 

[Gibby]

I did some further reading and pine sap has many medicinal actions. How it works is it acts as a counter irritant by increasing the flow of white blood cells to an infected area, heightening the bodies own immune response. It is also antiseptic and cleanses the tissues. It can be used as the following: antiseptic, anti-infectious, antifungal, antidiabetic, neurotonic, decongestant of the lymphatic system, parasticide, anti-caterrhal, stimulant and as a tonic. There many recipes online for salves, teas, and ointments. Pine sap being used as a medicine is more common than I first thought.

 

[woodjin]

I happened to be in Walmart shopping for an item and walked by the shelf with like items as above.
I found this tiny little bottle less that 2oz of "CHIGGEREX/PLUS".
It was a couple dollars so I bought it for the shelf at home. I figure what the heck.
I have had a couple little chiggings already but healed before buying this.
I will try it when next I am bitten.
But yeah, the damage is done once bitten. after that it's all about soothing in my mind.

Maybe I'll go roll in some ferns this weekend just so I can try it out. Sound like a plan?

I still like a dip in the swells of the Atlantic for chig bites, Poisy Ivy, and other such irritations.
Feels right good, the colder the better.
g.

i've used a bunch of times George. It does help in controlling the itch.