Homemade Salve in 4 Easy Steps

Homemade salves are an easy way to put your herbs and essential oils to work for you. They only take three ingredients and are simple to make. You may stumble through it the first time, but once you get the hang of it? You’re off to the races!

Why make salves

If you’ve read many of my blogs, I may sound like a broken record by now. However, the main reason to make your own salves is control! Not because you’re a control freak, mostly, but because you need to know what’s going into you and your family’s systems!

The skin is the body’s largest organ.  Some studies show it absorbs 60-70% of what it comes into contact with. Why put dangerous chemicals on it?! That seems nonsensical.  

Even if a company says it’s using “natural” products, that doesn’t mean they aren’t full of pesticides and who knows what else!

When you make your own salves and balms, you can be sure that all the ingredients are organic and natural, making them safer for your body to use. You can even use herbs from your own garden and control the entire process from seed to salve.

Our bodies weren’t designed to process these unnatural chemicals!

What are the Ingredients for a DIY salve?

Well, first, you need to decide whether you will use infused oils or essential oils. In this article, I’m using both in two different salves. There is no right or wrong way, just what you have and what you plan to make. In the end, you will need three ingredients. Some salves may require more, depending on their desired use.

If you have an herb garden, making infused oils is an excellent way to use the healing herbs you may already have. Making and even buying essential oils can be pricey. Use infused oil when it makes sense. However, I don’t grow eucalyptus, for example, so I have to buy the essential oils.

Do what makes sense for you and your lifestyle! 

Healing Agent

Whether infused in oil or made into an essential oil, you need the star of the show! This is the herb, flower, or other ingredient that will give your salve its purpose.  Here are a few examples:

Calendula is an antimicrobial that helps skin knit faster and can soothe eczema. It can also be used for diaper rashes! Plus, it’s a pretty flower to jazz up your yard or garden beds.

Oregano is so many things! Antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antifungal. Man. Power herb! It also tastes great in a steak marinade! 

Turmeric & Ginger can be used for pain.

You get it! The possibilities are basically endless. What do you need in your life?

These agents can be used to make an infusion or an essential oil. Either way works!

In these photos, I’m making two different salves.  My healing salve with oregano & calendula infused oil. This is a homemade antibiotic ointment in a salve.

I also make a nasal salve for my Son with eucalyptus essential oil. He has many sinus issues related to allergies, and eucalyptus helps clear his nose, allowing him to breathe more easily. He dislikes having to fill up a diffuser, so this salve is an easy alternative.

Oil Infusions

An oil infusion is a carrier oil infused with natural healing remedies, such as herbs and flowers. These healing herbs sit in the oil and steep, infusing it with their healing properties. I make mine the old-fashioned way and sun-steep them. Easy, peasy!

If using infused oils, you only need two ingredients: the infused oil and your wax of choice.

Be sure to drain all of your herbs before adding them to the salve.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are concentrated extracts from plants and herbs. Because it is so concentrated, you only need a few drops, but it will require a carrier oil to use as a salve.

If using essential oils, you will need three ingredients: the essential oil, the carrier oil, and the wax of choice.

WARNING: Be careful when purchasing essential oils! Not all oils are created equal!!  Many companies make synthetic versions of the natural oils. While great for scent and aromatherapy, they lack healing properties, so they won’t be suitable for salves.

Research the process the company uses to ensure it is not creating synthetic oils. 

Check out small businesses that make them, as they are more likely to do it the “right way”.

Wax

Adding wax to a homemade salve or balm may seem weird, but it’s necessary. For one, this is the agent that solidifies everything for storage & application. Even coconut oil, which is usually a solid at room temperature, will remain mostly liquid when heated. 

Wax also creates a layer that keeps the salve in place and helps protect the skin from pesky invaders, such as bacteria. This is super important when creating a healing salve designed for cuts and rashes.

You can use beeswax or even candelilla wax (which I haven’t tried). There are a few alternatives to beeswax if using it makes you uncomfortable. These can be purchased online as pellets. 

In my photos, I’m using beeswax provided by my Aunt and Uncle, who have multiple hives on their property. That’s why it’s in little wedges. They store the wax in round, little cakes that I break up as needed.

Equipment needed

Not a lot! This is really a simple process, just a double boiler or a pot and a large bowl. I’ve decided never to buy a double boiler. Why waste the cash and fill more cabinets? If you already have one, sweeeeet!

You’ll also need either tins or small containers to store the completed salve.  I like the little .5 oz tins from Amazon. The small size allows me to put them in different places, like my office, a first-aid kit, and our camping supplies.

You can reuse empty containers you have saved, or even those small storage containers we don’t normally use. Whatever works for you will work for this process.

• Double boiler or a pot and a bowl
• Container(s) to put completed salve in
• Glass measuring cup (optional)
• Towel or oven bit (that bowl gets hot!)

Ratios for Ingredients

The oil-to-wax ratio is 4:1. 

Specifically, 1 part wax to 4 parts oil.  If you have a cup of oil, use 1/4 cup of wax.  

Since I’m not using pellets, I have to use a kitchen scale and go by weight in oz.

Ratio for essential oils to oil

Start by making two ounces of salve. I know it doesn’t sound like much, but part of essential oils is scent preference & experimenting. Plus, the salve goes farther than you may think.

I wouldn’t go less than five drops for two ounces of salve to get the healing properties.  However, some people go as much as 20. Some people, meaning me. I totally do this.

I used 20 drops of my kids’ nasal salve because it’s more for aromatherapy than for direct contact or healing. So that’s five drops per small .5 oz container.

Steps to Make Your DIY Salve

1. Melt Wax

Start boiling water, put your wax into a bowl (or the top of your double boiler), and set it over the pot of boiling water.  If the water level is too high, it will come out from between the two, so pour a bit out if this happens. No biggie.

Stir the wax as it melts to speed up the process.  You can stir with whatever you’d like. But I like this little tiny whisk. It’s functional and just so dang cute.

2.   Add Other ingredients 

Once the wax is melted, you can add in your other ingredients and turn off the heat. If making a large batch, additional heat may be needed to heat thoroughly again.

When adding essential oils, avoid putting them directly into a heated pot or into the microwave, as they are heat-sensitive.

Add everything into the bowl with the wax.

3.   Mix and melt well

Your infused oil or carrier oil, depending on your choices from above, will cool the wax back down a bit. That’s ok, keep the bowl over the hot, steaming water and continue to stir.

Everything will start to heat through. Just be sure it’s completely liquid and melted to prevent a grainy or chunky appearance.

4. Pour & let cool

Set a glass measuring cup in the microwave or fill it with boiling water to heat it. Pour liquid from your bowl into the warm, dry measuring cup.

Since it’s warm now, the ingredients will take a bit longer to start solidifying. They cool quickly, so this helps.

Using the cup isn’t necessary, but you’ll find it easier to pour everything into small container openings.

Pour into your chosen containers, but keep the lids off.  You don’t want steam to catch on the lids and create moisture on the salve!

Let everything cool down and watch it solidify. It’s actually pretty satisfying to see! Once cool, put on your lids and label.

Done!

Clean-up is easier than it may seem when you look at your supplies. Promise! Hot tap water is enough to melt the wax and rinse everything out. Then wash up like normal.

Homemade salves can last 1-2 years. This is why I make small batches. To prevent throwing anything out.

Congratulations, Medicine Maker! You’re on your way to a more self-sufficient lifestyle.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How do you thicken salves?

The wax. This is 1/4 of the contents, and when cooled, they force everything into a soft solid.

How long will homemade salves last?

If making oil-based salves, 1-3 years.

What is the best oil for salves?

Olive oil and coconut oil are the most common. They are cost-effective, natural, and readily available. I’ve also heard of people using sunflower oil to make salves, but almond and avocado are great choices too! Anything with a milder smell. 

Can you use Vaseline for salves?

Yes. Vaseline is also known as petroleum jelly. These are great for making lip balms, for instance. It is softer than wax once it has cooled.

You simply mix the oil and essential oils straight into the petroleum jelly, and you’re done. No melting needed.

Petroleum jelly is made from mineral oils and waxes.

What can I use instead of beeswax for salves?

The most common alternative is canelilla wax. However, there are a few other options. Carnauba wax, soy wax (which is debated for its GMO seed source) & bayberry wax. 

All have pros and cons, so check into these before using!

What are the ingredients for homemade salves?

Healing agent (herb or flower), carrier oil, & wax. That’s it!

Do salves penetrate the skin?

Short answer? Yes!

The longer answer is that since they have a waterless moisture source, the oil, they can penetrate, soothe, and heal.  Many sources say skin applications don’t work, but this stems from water-heavy lotions that don’t penetrate as well.

Plus, check your sources to see if they are studies funded by oral meds… food for thought.

What is the ratio for salves?

1 part beeswax to 4 parts oil. 5 + drops of essential oil(s) if using.

Can you use soy wax in salves?

Yes, but there is debate in the natural healing community about whether this is wise. People like it due to its price point, but sometimes you get what you pay for. Most US soy is grown using GMP seeds. Just do your research before making a choice.

Do salves need preservatives?

Nope. Since they are waterless, they will last longer without the ick.

What’s the difference between a salve & a balm?

Other than lip balm (which may not be well named), balms tend to be harder than salves. 

Salves are designed to be softer and more easily absorbed into your skin.

Can I use just wax and essential oils for my salve?

Unfortunately, you cannot.  The oil thins the wax, making it softer and easier to spread across your skin. To do this with only essential oils would be incredibly costly and likely too strong to apply directly to the skin.  

Many essential oils can cause irritation when applied directly to the skin.  Remember, they are a concentration of the herbs they are made from.

Why is my homemade salve grainy?

Likely due to not melting and mixing everything properly. If there were small pieces of wax, it could give the salve a “grainy” feel or appearance. 

You can scrape everything out of the container(s) and melt it back into a single piece. Just be sure to heat thoroughly and stir until smooth.

Small Steps. Meaningful Rewards.

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