Tag Archives: Uncle John’s Salve

Uncle John Smith’s Salve

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This recipe dates to 1900 or before.

Mutton tallow – rendered; heat in oven until grease is out; grease must weigh 1 lb
1 1/2 lbs. beeswax – brown
1 1/2 lbs. rosin – crushed
12 oz castor oil
1 teaspoon turpentine

  1. Cut mutton tallow into pieces and heat in a low oven and press fat out and strain into pan.
  2. Heat grease on stove and add beeswax and rosin until all is melted. Remove from heat.
  3. Add castor oil and stir well.
  4. Add turpentine and stir well.
  5. Pour into glass jars. Allow it to cool, then close tight with lid.

    Yield:
    2 1/2 quarts – will last a lifetime. This recipe will fill approximately one hundred glass Gerber baby food jars.

    Note: Do not use pans and utensils for food consumption!

    Many thanks to Nathan Tippetts, Frank Nilson, Asenath Smith Conklin, and Bonnie Tippetts for preserving and making this recipe available.

Uncle John’s Salve

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I’m very interested in finding out the history behind, and maker of, “Uncle John’s Salve”. My hope is that someone in  the family will be familiar with “Uncle John’s Salve” and be willing to share how to make it with the rest of the family. It was amazing for healing skin infections, and drawing slivers out. My dad was a carpenter in this life, and  “Uncle John’s Salve” was a basic in our medicine cabinet! The only thing I’m sure of is that bee’s wax was one of the ingredients.

In a “Home Remedy” Relief Society activity an unrelated friend in my ward shared her healing experience with “Uncle John’s Salve” at the home of Mack & Lavina Kesler (Aunt Donnette’s son). Bee’s wax is the only ingredient I’m sure of.