Shiunko is a Kampo (Japanese herbal medicine) formula used commonly to protect the skin during moxabustion. If you have ever had a session with me, I have definitely used it on you. It is named “burn cream” for its efficacy in healing skin from burns but also eczema, psoriasis, cuts, scraps and so on. I use it as my cure-all for all skin complaints at home. There’s been some study on its effects on cell regeneration in the dermis - you can read more here if you are interested.
The recipe is quite simple. You make an infused oil with sesame oil and two herbs - Dang Gui (angelica root) and Zi Cao Gen (Lithospermum root, aka Gromwell). Then harden into a salve with beeswax. Though, if you are using it for larger skin conditions like eczema, you can skip the wax and liberally apply the oil directly on skin after bathing.
You can find these herbs at most TCM dispensaries. I shop at Fu Hing Hong or K&A in town.
Shiunko Recipe
40 g Dang Gui
40 g Zi Cao Gen
500 ml sesame oil
Bees wax pellets
Glass jar for infusing oil and small salve jars or tins.
Directions: Make an infused oil by adding chopped herbs into glass jar and covering to the top with sesame oil. Place in a warm sunny spot to infuse for 2-3 weeks. The oil should turn a deep red color. Strain off herbs and measure your oil. To make a salve you will want a ratio of 1 part beeswax to 4 parts oil (So for 500ml oil it will be about 125ml wax). In a saucepan combine oil & wax on very low heat - melt slowly until well combined. Then pour into your jars or tins to set.
Tips:
-Make sure no water gets into your infused oil as this could cause it to spoil.
-Keep heat very low, as to not denature the oil.
-You can test the consistency of your salve by dipping a spoon in the melted wax & oil and putting it in the freezer to set quickly. If the salve is too hard, add more oil. If its too soft, add more wax.
-You can repurpose your oily herbs into body scrubs, bath salts or straight into your bath water.
-For more info on salves visit here.
