These are just a few of the many healing herbs that can be applied topically in oils, salves, liniments, and creams. (Note: Oils, salves, and other external herbal preparations should not be applied to broken skin or open wounds unless your practitioner has advised otherwise.)
Arnica flowers: muscle and joint pain
Calendula flowers: rashes, insect bites, minor burns
Chamomile flowers: itching, eczema, inflammation
Chickweed leaves: eczema, psoriasis, dryness, itching
Comfrey leaves: minor cuts, scrapes, insect stings, muscle and joint pain
Eucalyptus leaves: insect bites, stings, wounds, and blisters; analgesic and anti-inflammatory for muscles and joints
Jewelweed leaves and stems: rash, minor cuts, poison ivy, nettle stings
Lavender flowers: itching, insect bites, minor burns, muscle aches
Mullein flowers and leaves: skin irritation, joint pain, hemorrhoids, earache, sore throat, chest congestion
Oregano leaves: insect bites, athlete’s foot
Plantain leaves: insect bites and stings, pain, poison ivy, itching, rashes, sores
Rosemary leaves and flowers: muscle and nerve pain, such as sciatica
St. John’s wort flowers: burns, insect bites, nerve pain
Thyme leaves: minor cuts and scrapes, muscle pain
Yarrow flowers: bruises, cuts, eczema, rashes, sprains, wounds, and areas with swelling and bleeding