Making salves and balms is one of my favorite things about getting to work with medicinal plants. Herbal salves are a great way for your skin ( the largest organ on you body) to get the oppertunity to obsorb all of those good medicinal properties from you herbal infused oil with the benefits of the wax to help to make a barrier over the area helping to keep the extra moisture in and extras out.
Once you've created your herbal oil, you're just a few simple steps away from your finished salve! See our basic salve recipe below, and follow along with herbal educator and author Maria Noël Groves for a comprehensive video how-to demonstration! Makes 5 ounces.
Ingredients 1 oz. beeswax (use carnauba wax for a vegan salve) 4 oz. herbal infused oil(s) of your choice (choose one or a combination) 10-20 drops essential oil of choice (optional)
Directions Wrap beeswax bar in an old towel. On a sturdy surface, use a hammer to break bar up into small chunks.
Place beeswax in a double boiler and gently warm over low heat until the beeswax melts. Add herbal oils and stir over low heat until well-mixed. Remove from heat and add the essential oil(s). Quickly pour warm mixture into prepared tins, glass jars, or lip balm tubes and allow to cool completely.
Store in a cool location for 1 to 3 years.
Pro tip: The consistency of salves can easily be adjusted depending on your preferences. Use less beeswax for a softer salve and more beeswax if you’d like a firmer salve. You can test the consistency by placing a spoon in the freezer before making your salve. When the beeswax melts, pour a little salve onto one of the cold spoons and place it back into the freezer for 1 to 2 minutes. This will simulate what the final consistency will be like. Once cooled, you can make adjustments by adding more oil (for a softer salve) or more beeswax (for a firmer salve).
Here is a basic salve recipe so you can try making your own too:
Basic Herbal Salve Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup carrier oil (olive, hemp, jojoba, almond, or a blend)
- 1 oz (about 2 Tbsp) beeswax (pastilles or grated)
- 1–2 Tbsp dried herbs (e.g., calendula, lavender, plantain, comfrey — optional if you want it infused)
- 10–20 drops essential oil (optional, for fragrance or added properties)
Instructions
- Make an infused oil (optional but recommended):
- Place your dried herbs in a clean glass jar.
- Cover with your carrier oil, making sure herbs are fully submerged.
- Let sit in a warm, sunny spot for 2–4 weeks, shaking daily.
- Strain out the herbs before using.
- (Shortcut: gently warm herbs in oil on low heat in a double boiler for 2–3 hours, then strain.)
- Prepare the salve base:
- In a double boiler, combine 1 cup of your herbal oil with 1 oz beeswax.
- Heat gently until beeswax melts completely, stirring to blend.
- Customize:
- Remove from heat.
- Add essential oils if desired. Stir well.
- Pour into containers:
- Immediately pour into clean tins or jars while still liquid.
- Let cool and solidify before sealing.
🌼 Tips
- If you want a softer salve, use less beeswax (¾ oz per cup oil).
- For a firmer balm, use more beeswax (up to 1.5 oz per cup oil).
- Store in a cool, dark place — it should last 6–12 months.
Remember to label and date your container! Even if you think you’ll recall what’s inside, you won’t—trust me. Your salve should stay good anywhere from 6 months up to 2 years, depending on the ingredients used and how it’s stored.
WorkCited:
https://www.udemy.com/herbalism-medicine-making/learn/lecture/5935830#overview
https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/diy-herbal-salves
https://www.healthline.com/health/diy-herbal-salves
https://www.frontiercoop.com/community/how-to/how-to-make-herbal-salves
Gladstar, Rosemary. Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health. Storey Publishing, 2008.
McIntyre, Anne. The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Definitive Guide to the Principles and Practices of Herbal Medicine. Watkins Publishing, 2019.
Tilgner, Sharol. Herbal Medicine: From the Heart of the Earth. Wise Acres Press, 2009.
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. DK Publishing, 2016.
Green, James. The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual. Crossing Press, 2000.
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