Autumn DIY Balm for Tired Legs

It is just a dream when the plants we can use for our personal wellbeing grow directly at our front (or back) doors. For this modern alchemy DIY balm, we utilize what is naturally abundant in autumn: red vines leaves and chestnuts.

I’m the modern alchemist of the Healing Hotel Castel Fragsburg and in autumn I love to prepare this balm to treat tired legs and feet. Chestnuts and red vine leaves help to restore a healthy blood flow, support circulation and strengthen the arteries and veins. Stagnant circulation can cause feelings of heaviness and tingling in the arms and legs or even lead to varicose veins.

Recipes for the red vine balm and chestnut tinctures

Chestnut tincture:

For the chestnut tincture cut 20 pieces freshly picked chestnuts into little pieces. Then put them into a jar and fill it up with 500ml Vodka or grappa. Keep in a cool dark place for 4 weeks shaking every day. Strain the tincture and put it into an amber glass bottle.

Red vine tincture:

For the red vine tincture cut the freshly picked red vine leaves into fine strips, put them into a jar and fill it up with grappa or vodka. Cover all the plant parts well. Allow the closed jar to stew for about 4 weeks, shaking it a little every day. Afterwards filter the tincture and put it into an amber glass bottle.

DIY balm for tired feet and legs

You need:

• 15 g red vine leaf tincture
• 15 g chestnut tincture
• 80 g distilled water
• 15 g vegetable glycerin
• 1-2  g xanthan (optional)
• 15 drops essential oil for example rosemary oil, which stimulates the circulation or peppermint oil for a cooling effect.

Preparation

To avoid clumps add the Xanthan to the tinctures little by little and mix it well. Then add the vegetable glycerin and stir. Add the distilled water and your preferred essential oil, whisking constantly and put it into a little amber glass bottle with a glass dropper. It should be stored in a cold place and keeps for about 8 weeks.

Application

Apply a small amount of balm and gently massage it into the skin, starting the motion below the place of discomfort and mowing upward.

This DIY balm can be effective in treating problems concerning veins and the venous system. Red vine leaves and chestnuts have a unique action of strengthening and toning the vein walls and so it is especially good for the treatment of varicose veins, piles, phlebitis, swollen legs, leg ulcers, chilblains, night cramps and more! Symptoms of heaviness, tingling, pain, itching, tiredness and coldness ,which is associated with poor circulation of the legs, will also be alleviated.