Hopefully ready for shelves or sale by August 2025!

It has finally happened! I've created a formula for a very specific kind of pain—nerve discomfort associated with peripheral neuropathy.

Now, you could say all pain is nerve pain in some way—but this is different. The nerve pain I’m speaking of is the kind that zaps, tingles, or burns without warning. It crawls under your skin like a whisper that turns into a shout. For me, it’s mostly a deep, spreading numbness—as though my feet are coated in wax or wrapped in invisible socks. It's slowly creeping up my legs. And sometimes, there's this tickling, crawling sensation, like bugs that vanish the moment I look. (Believe me, I still check. We live in the country, after all!)

Getting Personal

So, I’ve begun a journey. A very personal one. I'm digging deep into everything I can about SFN—Small Fiber Neuropathy. From root causes to promising leads and everything in between. Because this isn’t just research—this is lived experience. It’s my body. My feet. My nights. I’m not just curious; I’m committed. I want to know what can quiet the overactive signals, what can soften the strange, electric noise—and maybe even help the nerves themselves find their way back to balance.

I’m not ready to get into all the reasons behind each herb I chose—that will come in time. But today, I’d like to briefly share some of the discoveries that shaped this formula and what sets it apart from my general-purpose pain balm:

The story behind the name

I love acronyms. Especially when they make sense. C•A•L•M is what I want for my nerves, and when I sat with the idea of creating this balm, those four words came to me almost effortlessly: Comfort • Awaken • Love • Mend.

Each word holds meaning for what this formula is designed to do. Comfort speaks to the soothing, calming relief it brings when nerves are overactive or irritated. Awaken reflects my hope that it gently reawakens areas that feel numb or disconnected. Love represents the care and attention each ingredient offers, and the intention I poured into crafting it. And Mend captures the ultimate goal—to restore, repair, and support healing in a way that feels natural and nurturing.

It’s more than a name. It’s a reminder of what I want for myself and anyone who reaches for this balm. Take a look at the herbal heroes and essential oils, and I think you’ll agree.

Herbal "A Team"

One of the first herbs that stood out in my research—and in my formulation—is one you may already know by name: St. John’s Wort.

Often praised for its mood-lifting properties, especially in cases of mild depression or seasonal affective disorder, St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is best known in modern herbal circles as a natural antidepressant. But what many people don’t realize is that it also has a long-standing tradition as a topical remedy for nerve pain.

When used externally, this bright yellow flowering herb offers deep support for damaged or overactive nerves, calming irritation and helping to quiet those misfiring signals that show up as zaps, burns, or tingling sensations. Herbalists have applied it for centuries to soothe sciatica, shingles, neuralgia, and traumatic nerve injury. It’s gentle, yet powerful—nourishing to the nervous system in a way that few herbs are.

But St. John’s Wort doesn’t work alone.

I’ve chosen a combination of herbs that speak the same language as the nerves—each one offering its own kind of support, like members of a well-trained response team.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a gentle yet powerful herb often used for its demulcent and anti-inflammatory properties. While it's best known as a lung tonic, its value in topical applications shouldn’t be overlooked. Mullein soothes irritated tissues and helps calm inflamed nerves. Its softening qualities are especially welcome in cases where the skin and nerve endings feel tight, raw, or hypersensitive. In this balm, mullein acts as a quiet nurturer—providing a comforting buffer between the body and the overactive signals it’s receiving.

Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) is another powerful ally in this blend. Traditionally used as a nervine and antispasmodic, skullcap supports the nervous system both internally and externally. When applied topically, it may help settle twitchy, jumpy, or overstimulated nerve endings. It carries a deep calming energy—one that works beneath the surface to ease agitation and restore balance. In folk traditions, skullcap was known to "quiet the mind," and in this formula, it aims to do the same for restless nerves.

Blue Vervain (Verbena hastata) is a deeply grounding herb often associated with calming the nervous system and easing tension held in the body and mind. Though it's better known for internal use in cases of emotional stress or muscle tension, its inclusion in a topical balm brings added benefit. Blue Vervain carries a strong energetic message: release. Release tension, release overwhelm, release the overfiring messages that nerves sometimes send. When used topically in small amounts, it supports the soothing and rebalancing qualities at the heart of this balm.

Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is a potent antispasmodic. It helps to release physical tension and interrupt spastic nerve patterns. In tiny amounts, it adds an edge of relief that you can almost feel immediately—especially when the pain feels sharp, restless, or electric.

Cottonwood buds, also known as Balm of Gilead, contribute a warm, resinous presence to the formula. Rich in natural salicylates (the plant-world cousin to aspirin), they offer gentle pain relief, reduce inflammation, and bring a soothing strength that rounds out the formula beautifully. They also add a faintly sweet, woodsy scent that reminds you of old trees and fresh spring sap.

Together, these herbs create more than a balm—they create a conversation with the nervous system. One that says, "You're safe. You can settle down. Let's rebuild from here."

Of course, the herbal infusion is just the beginning. Once the oils are pressed and the beeswax is melted in, the formula is completed with a carefully selected blend of essential oils—each one chosen not for scent alone, but for its therapeutic affinity with nerve tissue and pain modulation.

If I could only pick one essential oil for nerve repair, it would be Helichrysum (Helichrysum italicum). Revered in trauma care, it’s sometimes called “liquid stitches.” It brings a remarkable ability to calm inflammation, reduce bruising, and encourage tissue regeneration—including nerve endings. Its presence in this balm feels essential; it reaches deep, addressing pain at its source with a golden gentleness that’s hard to describe but easy to feel.

Gentle but mighty, Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) is a natural choice for easing nerve sensitivity. It’s traditionally used for colic, headaches, and spasms—its specialty is helping the body unwind from inside out. In this balm, it adds a softening quality, soothing the hypersensitive nature of small nerve fibers and gently inviting them to rest.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) brings calm, balance, and relief to the mix. While it’s often recognized for its relaxing aroma, lavender is also a respected pain reliever, anti-inflammatory, and skin soother. It amplifies the work of the other oils while contributing a familiar note of comfort to the blend.

Frankincense (Boswellia carterii) has a long-standing reputation in both spiritual and medicinal traditions. For the nervous system, it acts as a calming, grounding anti-inflammatory. It quiets overactive signals and encourages deep breathing and presence—something that becomes surprisingly important when pain is persistent or distracting.

Together, these essential oils don’t just add aroma—they add depth. They help the balm do what I created it to do: not just coat the skin, but support the nerves themselves, reduce overactivity, and make those strange and uncomfortable sensations a little quieter. A little softer. A little more manageable.

In time, I’ll share more about my process and how this balm is performing—not just for me, but for others who are trying it. For now, I’m just grateful to have created something that speaks to this kind of pain. It's personal. It’s purposeful. And hopefully, it's the beginning of real relief.