How to Make Herbal Salves and Balms
Learn to make healing herbal salves and balms right in your kitchen with simple ingredients like olive oil and beeswax. This beginner-friendly guide shows you how to create natural remedies for dry skin, scrapes, and sore muscles—no special equipment needed. Save money and care for your family with homemade salves that actually work.
How to Make Herbal Salves and Balms
Simple, soothing skin care from your own kitchen
Quick Recipe Card
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Type | Salve / Balm (oil + beeswax blend) |
| Time Required | 30–60 min active time (plus infusion time if making your own oil) |
| Yield | 4–8 oz (enough for a family of four) |
| Shelf Life | 9–12 months when stored properly |
| Storage | Clean tin or glass jar, cool dark cupboard |
Ratio Reference:
For a soft salve: 1 part beeswax : 4–5 parts infused oil by weight
For a firmer balm: up to 1 : 3 ratio
(Visual cue: about 1 inch of grated wax for every 5 inches of oil in the pot)
What You’re Making
A salve (also called a balm) is one of the easiest herbal preparations to start with. It’s simply an herb-infused oil thickened with a little beeswax until it sets into a smooth, spreadable ointment.
You don’t need special equipment—just a saucepan, a spoon, and a few clean jars. Once you know the steps, you can turn almost any soothing or healing herb into a family remedy for dry skin, scrapes, or sore muscles.
By the end of this guide, you’ll be able to make a small, shelf-stable batch of salve for everyday home use—right from your kitchen counter.
Materials & Equipment
Ingredients
- Herb-infused oil (see our guide to infused oils) Olive, sweet almond, or coconut oil are all good bases
- Beeswax — pellets melt fastest; grated blocks work fine too
- (Optional) Vitamin E oil — a few drops to slow rancidity
- (Optional) Essential oils — a few drops of lavender, peppermint, or tea tree for scent or added effect
Tools
- Heat-safe bowl or measuring cup ad
- Saucepan or small slow cooker ad
- Wooden spoon or spatula ad
- Cheesecloth or fine strainer ad (if finishing oil)
- Small tins or glass jars with lids ad
- Clean towel ad for wiping spills
- Labels and marker ad for dating jars
Optional helpful tools: A digital kitchen scale ad for precision, small funnel ad for pouring, and silicone spatula ad for scraping every drop.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare your infused oil
If you already have herbal oil ready, skip to Step 2.
Otherwise, you’ll need to infuse your dried herbs into oil first. You have two methods to choose from:
Cold Infusion (Slow & Gentle)
- Fill a clean jar 2/3 full with dried herbs
- Pour oil to cover herbs by 1–2 inches
- Cap and let sit 2–6 weeks in a cool, dark place
- Shake occasionally to keep herbs wet
- Pros: Preserves heat-sensitive properties, no monitoring needed
- Cons: Takes weeks, requires patience
Warm Infusion (Quick)
- Place herbs and oil in a jar inside a pot of simmering water (double boiler)
- Keep heat very low — oil hot to touch but never bubbling
- Warm for 4–8 hours, checking water levels
- Pros: Ready same day, good for last-minute needs
- Cons: Requires monitoring, may damage delicate compounds
When done with either method, strain through cheesecloth, squeezing out every drop. Compost the herbs.
Critical: Only use dried or thoroughly wilted herbs. Fresh herbs contain water that will cause your oil to spoil or grow mold. If you must use fresh herbs, wilt them first by spreading on towels for a day.
See our guide to drying herbs.
Step 2: Measure oil and beeswax
For a soft salve, use roughly 1 oz beeswax for every 5 oz oil (about 1/4 cup wax per 1 cup oil).
For a firmer balm, increase beeswax slightly.
Place oil and beeswax together in a double boiler setup: a heat-safe bowl or jar sitting in a small pot of simmering water.
Step 3: Melt together on low heat
Keep the heat low—the oil should feel hot to the touch but never bubble.
Stir occasionally until the wax is fully melted and the mixture is clear.
Avoid splashing water into the oil.
Testing tip: Spoon a little onto a cold plate and refrigerate 1 minute to test firmness. Too hard? Add more oil. Too soft? Melt in a touch more wax.
Step 4: Add optional extras (off heat)
Remove from heat. Stir in any essential oils (5–10 drops total) or 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil per cup of salve.
Work quickly—the mix will begin to thicken as it cools.
Step 5: Pour into containers
Pour the warm mixture into clean, dry tins or jars.
Wipe rims clean. Leave uncovered until cool, then cap and label.
Let sit undisturbed until solid—about 30 minutes to an hour.
Step 6: Label and store
Include the name of herbs, carrier oil, and date.
Store in a cool, dark place. Avoid moisture or direct sunlight.
Your salve should stay fresh for 9–12 months or longer if it smells clean and herbal. If it develops a rancid or sour odor, it’s time to make a new batch.
How to Use
- Scoop a pea-sized amount and rub gently into skin
- Ideal for:
- Dry or chapped areas
- Minor cuts or scrapes
- Bug bites or rashes
- Achy joints or sore muscles (warming herb blends)
- For external use only. Avoid deep wounds unless the salve is freshly made and herbs are known safe for open skin.
Storage & Shelf Life
- Keep sealed containers in a cool, dark cupboard — warmth speeds spoilage
- Salves typically last 9–12 months, sometimes longer with vitamin E
- For extra longevity, store backup jars in the fridge (they’ll just firm up more)
- Check freshness: Smell before use—if the odor turns waxy, sour, or musty, it’s time to compost it
Safety Notes
- Always use dried herbs for infusions to prevent mold (see our guide to drying herbs)
- Keep lids clean and dry — moisture shortens shelf life
- Test on a small skin patch first to check for sensitivities
- Keep away from eyes and out of children’s reach
- External use only — not for internal consumption
- When gifting, list ingredients clearly for allergy awareness
Example Recipes
Each recipe yields roughly 4–8 oz of finished salve.
Calendula-Plantain Salve (Everyday Soothing)
- 1/2 cup dried calendula petals
- 1/2 cup dried plantain leaves
- Olive oil to cover (about 1 cup)
- Infuse oil using either method above
- Strain, then add 1 tablespoon beeswax per 1/3 cup strained oil
- Optional: 3 drops lavender essential oil
Excellent for cuts, rashes, or dry hands.
Comfrey-Calendula-Plantain Salve (First-Aid Balm)
- Equal parts dried comfrey leaf, plantain leaf, and calendula flowers (about 2/3 cup each)
- Cover with 1 1/2 cups olive oil; infuse until richly colored
- Add 1 oz beeswax to strained oil; melt and stir until smooth
- Optional: 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E + 5 drops lavender oil
Great for bruises, sprains, and sore muscles.
Lavender-Chamomile Salve (Gentle Skin Balm)
- 1/4 cup dried lavender buds
- 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
- Optional: 1/4 cup calendula petals
- 1 cup sweet almond or avocado oil
- Infuse, strain, and combine with 1/4 cup (2 oz) beeswax
- Add 3–5 drops lavender essential oil for scent
Perfect for sensitive or baby skin — calming and moisturizing.
Visual Summary
| Step | Action | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infuse herbs in oil | Use dried herbs, cover by 1–2 inches |
| 2 | Melt oil + beeswax | 1:5 ratio for soft salve |
| 3 | Test firmness | Drop on cold plate |
| 4 | Add extras & pour | Work quickly while warm |
| 5 | Cool & store | Label with date and ingredients |
You’re Ready
That’s all there is to it. Once you’ve made your first batch, you’ll never look at those pricey store-bought tins the same way. Start simple, label everything, and don’t worry if it’s not perfect—the next batch always gets better.
Each jar you make is a little gift of care from your kitchen. You’re not just saving money; you’re creating something real and useful with your own hands.