Herbal salves are easy to make and can be used for a wide variety of first aid situations. They can also be a great gift to share with loved ones! You don’t need a lot of equipment to make your own herbal salve, and all the ingredients you need are readily available at home or in your garden.
How to make herbal salve
The first step in making an herbal salve is to infuse oil with herbs. This is simple and can be done using either the stovetop or the sun’s heat. You can use any of the following herbs to infuse oil: comfrey, calendula, plantain, rosehip, sage, and thyme.
Once the herbs have infused for 3-4 weeks, you can mix the infused oil with beeswax and add a few drops of essential oils to create your salve. Once the salves are cooled, they can be stored in airtight containers or jars and will last for a year or longer.
Beeswax makes a wonderful addition to your homemade salve because it helps create a barrier for the skin and absorbs into it, making it more moisturizing. The amount of beeswax you use is entirely up to you, and can be adjusted based on your preference.
Combine the infused oil, beeswax, and a few drops of essential oils in a double boiler or other vessel that you can safely melt the wax in. Gently heat the mixture until the beeswax has melted completely, and then pour into small jars or tins. You can adjust the consistency as you go, by adding more or less wax and oil, depending on how firm or softer you want your salve to be.
You can store your salves in a cool, dark place for up to 2 years. You can also extend the shelf life of your salve by blending a few drops of vitamin E oil into the final salve before packaging it.
How to make an herbal salve
You don’t need a lot of tools or equipment to make your own homemade herbal salve, and the only ingredient you need is beeswax or carnauba wax for vegans. Then, you can choose from a wide range of infused oils and combinations of herbs to create your own custom healing salve.
This herbal salve recipe includes a combination of herbs that soothe minor irritants and promote rapid tissue regeneration. The combination of comfrey, calendula, and plantain is particularly beneficial for rashes and burns.
When you infuse your herbs with oil, you can let the salve sit on a sunny windowsill or under a hot sun for a few weeks to allow the oil to take on the scent and color of the herbs. This will give the herbs time to work their magic on your skin, and will also help to prevent the growth of molds and fungi that can spoil your salve.
When it comes time to make your own salve, you’ll simply need to mix the infused oil with a few ounces of beeswax (depending on how firm you want your salve) and add a few drops of essential oils of choice. You can even use a few different essential oils and blend them together, as in this lemon balm and lavender herbal salve.
