boreal salve

bear fat is traditional first nations medicine, used for centuries as folk medicine in asia, siberia, north america and other places where bears once roamed. its proteins, vitamins, minerals and fats are easily assimilated into the muscles and tissues of our human bodies. it is used in the taiga to heal and disinfect wounds.
 
bear fat is considered anti-inflammatory, and is said to help the body adapt to stress, soothe aches and pains, strengthen the reproductive organs, help clear the body of toxins, heal scars, prevent the formation of blood clots, help with exhaustion and rehabilitation after chemotherapy, respiratory infections and diseases.
 
spruce pitch is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, an antiseptic and an analgesic. gwich’in elder ruth welsh says ‘if i had nothing else in my medicine cabinet, pitch could do it all.’ it is also helpful for soothing coughs and respiratory ailments.
 
this salve can be rubbed on the chest to bring respiratory relief, put on cuts, scrapes and burns to heal and disinfect, or just spread all over you to breathe deep and enjoy the scent of the woods and the energy of the bear.