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Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Single Salve Packs Tutorial

I saw this idea on a prepper website but I cannot remember which one so I can't credit them. If I find them, I'll link back to their site as they had some great tips on there. They used neosporin type salve to create their packets but since I use all herbal salves I and my friends make, I decided to cater these to using my own salve.

To make them you will need:
-drinking straws (clear are best so you can see inside)
-tea light
-needle nosed pliers
-scissors (forgot to photograph but you know what those are!)
-your choice of salves


Begin by poking your straw into your salve. Imagine how much is usually needed for a typical wound and fill it to that point.

Pinch the end of the straw with your finger to push the salve further into the straw and create an empty space. Using the pliers, grip that space, leaving a tiny bit of straw sticking out of the side.

Hold the straw over the tea light to melt the end. Slide your pliers to the end and pinch it shut. 

Gently squeeze the salve towards the sealed edge to verify your seal.

Turn the straw around and pinch the other edge as close to the salve as you can without squeezing the salve out the other side. Use your scissors to cut off the edge and seal as you did the other side, being sure to squeeze and check for leaks.

All finished! The straws I used gave me 5 individual packs per straw. These are perfect for storing in the first aid kit and will also be great for building a mini first aid kit to put in the kids' back packs for when they go hiking in the woods. To open, simply use a knife.

Optionally, you can use a sharpie marker to write what type of salve is in the tube. Since I used 3 different types, I wrote down their names on each. Be sure to wash the tubes in soapy water first to remove any salve residue so the marker writing will be permanent.
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37 comments:

  1. Beth of Red Barn FarmMarch 14, 2012 at 8:34 AM

    This is ingenious!! Now I can get a benefit out of the DH's weekly visits to the box of death, McDonalds!!

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  2. CeinanMarch 14, 2012 at 1:05 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this. It is absolutely brilliant, and sharing it is even more brilliant, and worthy of our great herbalist community. Thank you.

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  3. Valerie H. MarshallMarch 14, 2012 at 3:07 PM

    Brilliant!!! Thanx for sharing!!
    Val :)

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  4. Comfrey CottagesMarch 14, 2012 at 3:09 PM

    Those are so very cool and practical! Nice share, Kristine xx

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  5. AnonymousMarch 15, 2012 at 8:44 PM

    so cool....now i would love to know how to make your herbal salves???

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  6. Practical ParsimonyMarch 16, 2012 at 3:59 AM

    Just brilliant! Can I use colored straws?

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  7. UnknownMarch 30, 2012 at 7:41 PM

    Love this!

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  8. Jill JonesApril 18, 2012 at 10:26 AM

    Such a great idea! You could use transparent colored straws to indicate the type of product too. Great idea for summer first aid!

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  9. AnonymousApril 27, 2012 at 12:16 PM

    I would be worried about what chemicals are from the plastic, specially when burned like that..just take a tube of neosporin.. what are they $1.50... seriously....

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  10. tansyApril 27, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Hi Anonymous,

    You're worried about chemicals from the straw but have no concern about what you're putting on your body? Personally, I will take my chances with the straws and stick to using all natural herbal salves that I make myself and know what is going in to it.

    These are for emergency kits only and not a daily use item. It has NOTHING to do with the cost. This is about using the salve I make myself, catered to what I need to use it for, in the convenience of a single dose that is more realistic than even the single dose packets Neosporin offers.

    And one other point, the straws are considered 'food safe' and wouldn't be any more harmful than the plastic tube that Neosporin comes in.

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    Replies
    1. AnonymousApril 27, 2012 at 4:22 PM

      Straws are food safe, but are they food safe after burning? Just wondering? I just burned one and boy does it stink.

      Delete
  11. AnonymousApril 27, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    What a WONDERFUL idea. I am always looking for things like this. I guess you could do this for hydrocortisone cream as well

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  12. Donna HerringApril 27, 2012 at 12:56 PM

    This is awesome!!!! I would love to see what herbal salves you all use.

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  13. Heidi @Adventures of a Thrifty MomApril 27, 2012 at 1:42 PM

    This is one of the best ideas I've come across. These would be great in my car kit, the kids backpacks, for camping, a bug out bag, the bottom of my purse, lol....

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  14. James Hubbard, M.D., M.P.H.April 27, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    Great idea. It, also, cuts down on the chance, however rare, of contaminating a tube by using it on different wounds and different people.

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  15. AnonymousApril 27, 2012 at 6:25 PM

    wonderful idea, I am just wondering how difficult it will be to open them when they are needed. Going to need a knife or scissors I would imagine

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  16. Elsie HuiApril 27, 2012 at 11:01 PM

    what a great idea! I guess you can really fill the straws with anything and everything! :) Now, you just got to remember what they are

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  17. charleApril 28, 2012 at 8:35 AM

    this is an excellent idea, I'm impressed. and Anonymous, you don't eat them you just (yes, use fingernail clippers or pocket knife, see that was easy) open and use as needed. thanks Homestead Survival for being so generous with your information. P.S. Anonymous, the general idea of the word Homestead is you live in an area where store bought items are not 'just around the corner'.

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  18. charleApril 28, 2012 at 8:44 AM

    What an excellent idea. I'm impressed. Thanks tansy for sharing freely. {Anonymous, you don't eat the packet so don't worry about it being 'food safe' after burning. Use fingernail clippers or a pocket knife to open, see that was so easy. And the word Homestead implies living in an area where store bought items are not just around the corner. Keep up.}

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  19. AnonymousOctober 19, 2012 at 10:37 AM

    This is from TechiePrepper and he has some wonderful YouTube videos.

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  20. tansyOctober 19, 2012 at 11:36 AM

    Only one problem with that theory Anonymous....I posted this on March 14, 2012 but TechiePrepper didn't post his video until April 21, 2012. More likely TechiePrepper got it from me or from the source I got it from...

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  21. flowerchildgrannyNovember 18, 2012 at 10:34 AM

    This idea is BRILLIANT ! ! ! ! ! I have always kept a fully stocked First-Aide Kit. I'm not talking about a handful of band-aides and a tube of A&D ointment. I could deliver a baby or treat a major body wound. Having to keep track of how old an open ointment is can be a daunting task. This will save me having to worry about that. I love this site.... I have gotten some amazing tips and ideas from you. Thank you sooooooo much.

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  22. AnonymousNovember 18, 2012 at 10:48 PM

    Awesome! This would be a great solution for toothpaste for an overnighter for the kidoes! nice... my wheels are turning :)
    Sonuahua

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  23. GinaFebruary 21, 2013 at 12:49 AM

    These would be great for my Boy Scout to put in his personal first aid kit for summer camp. Thanks for the idea.

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  24. GinaFebruary 21, 2013 at 12:50 AM

    These would be awesome for my Boy Scout to put in his personal first aid kit for summer camp. Thanks for the idea.

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  25. Momma0716February 28, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Also works great for keeping spices in a kitchen camping kit. Same procedure, just add salt, pepper, sugar etc.

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  26. t jApril 15, 2013 at 10:03 PM

    Excellent!!! ~Tess

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  27. UnknownSeptember 5, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    This is so cool :) Thanks :)

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  28. Sombrero_SueJanuary 5, 2014 at 7:12 PM

    We are making mini 1st aid kits for our new Venture Crew. This is perfect. Love this idea.

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  29. AnonymousJanuary 22, 2014 at 6:43 PM

    Wonderful! I had seen a post on another site where they were using straws to make single use toothpaste packets. Had not thought of doing this with salves! The possibilities are endless. Just recently got into making some of my own salves and lotions.

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  30. AnonymousFebruary 1, 2014 at 1:44 PM

    Simply genius! Love it! All my travel liquid moisturiser sorted out. Light & disposalble.

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  31. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2014 at 1:14 AM

    What a great idea! I think I need to make some with toothpaste and syrup for coffee/milk (and close one side with tape).
    Few years ago, I filled straws with sprinkles, but never thought of putting salve in them.
    Thanks! ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  32. AnonymousFebruary 27, 2014 at 1:15 AM

    What a great idea! I think I need to make some with toothpaste and syrup for coffee/milk (and close one side with tape).
    Few years ago, I filled straws with sprinkles, but never thought of putting salve in them.
    Thanks! ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  33. Rachel R.April 1, 2014 at 11:19 AM

    Good grief, people. You don't melt the whole straw - just the ends. You know, the part you're going to CUT OFF to open it up so the contents can be used.

    I'd be far more worried about putting chemicals like Neosporin on an open wound. But if you aren't comfortable with its healthfulness for your family, then just don't do it.

    I'm wondering about how long this took to do?

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  34. LPNApril 4, 2014 at 2:25 PM

    Is there an easier way to open up the packets than using a knife? I am a minimalist and I LOVE this idea but I would prefer to be able to rip it open without using a knife. I guess I'll have to try to make some and see if I'm strong enough to open them without use of a knife. Thanks again for sharing!

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  35. AnonymousJanuary 29, 2015 at 2:44 PM

    Make a tiny cut at the closed end of the packet. Then rip open when you need it. No need for a knife.

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  36. MelanieHMarch 22, 2015 at 11:17 PM

    I wonder if my vacuum sealer would melt the ends. I'm going to have to get some straws and try.

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