12/10/2025
DIY: Make your own multi-use resin liniment
It’s common to see resins included in herbal liniments meant to help soothe aches, pains, minor wounds, bumps and bruises.
Resins are created by trees as a protective defense mechanism, so it’s no wonder that they’re great at protecting human skin as well. Their antibacterial, antifungal, and antiseptic properties make them an important ingredient for any skin or wound care preparation.
This age-old herbal liniment recipe is easy to make and was first created by Jethro Kloss, an herbalist in the 1800s, and used by famous herbalists like Rosemary Gladstar.
Ingredients:
1 quart 70 percent rubbing alcohol
2 ounces finely powdered Myrrh
1 ounce powdered Oregon Grape Root*
½ ounce Cayenne Pepper
Directions:
Mix ingredients together in a clean mason jar and allow it to sit for 7 days, shaking periodically. Then, decant and label with all ingredients, noting: “For external use only”.
How to use:
For headaches, Kloss recommends applying it to the temples, back of neck, and forehead. For sprains and strains, apply liberally and massage for 15-20 minutes before swelling sets in. Repeat 3-4 times a day. He also indicates it can ease bruises and back pain. Rosemary Gladstar recommends using it for disinfecting small wounds from splinters, cold sores, and warts, or irritation from poison oak and ivy.
*Note: The original recipe calls for Goldenseal, however, this plant is currently on the endangered species list due to over-harvesting. Oregon Grape Root is abundant and possesses many of the same qualities of Goldenseal. They both share the same alkaloid, Berberine, which gives them each a golden color. This alkaloid is highly antimicrobial and great at fighting infection.