Introduction

Creating your own healing salves is a practical way to produce natural remedies for various skin conditions and wound treatments. This guide covers the process of making multipurpose healing salves using natural ingredients, including carrier oils, dried herbs, and essential oils. These salves can be used for wound treatment, skin conditions, muscle relief, and more.

Ingredients

Basic Healing Salve

  • 1 cup coconut oil (non-fractionated)
  • 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 5 tablespoons organic beeswax pastilles
  • 5 drops lavender essential oil per jar
  • 5 drops rosemary essential oil per jar
  • 5 drops peppermint essential oil per jar
  • Optional: Vitamin E oil

Herbal Infusion Salve

  • Carrier oil (such as olive, almond, or apricot oil)
  • Dried herbs (like lavender, chamomile, or goldenseal)
  • Beeswax
  • Optional: Vitamin E oil or herbal tinctures

Plantain Salve

  • 1/4 cup plantain-infused oil
  • 1 tablespoon coconut oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons beeswax
  • 5 drops rosemary oil (as a preservative)

Preparation

Basic Healing Salve

  1. Simmer water in a pot. Place coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax in a heatproof container.
  2. Submerge the container in the simmering water until ingredients melt (15-20 minutes). Stir occasionally.
  3. Add essential oils to each jar using a glass dropper.
  4. Pour melted oil mixture into prepared jars.
  5. Cover jars with cloth/paper towel and let sit 12-24 hours to solidify.

Herbal Infusion Salve

  1. Combine dried herbs in a slow cooker or pot. Pour in a high-quality oil and heat on low for 2–4 hours.
  2. Strain the oil through cheesecloth to remove herbs.
  3. Return the oil to the slow cooker, add grated beeswax, and mix until fully melted. Adjust consistency by adding more oil (if too thick) or beeswax (if too runny).
  4. Pour the mixture into clean, dry jars filled to the top to prevent mold.
  5. Store in a cool, dark place or refrigerator.

Plantain Salve

  1. Infuse oil: Fill a mason jar with fresh or dried plantain leaves, covering them completely with oil (e.g., olive oil). Store in a dark place for 1 month or gently warm on a stove for 4 hours. For stronger infusion, repeat the process with fresh leaves after 1 month. Strain the oil through cheesecloth.
  2. Make the salve: In a small pan, slowly melt the infused oil, coconut oil, and beeswax over low heat. Stir gently to avoid overheating, which can degrade the oil’s properties.
  3. Cool and store: Pour the mixture into sterilized containers. Let it cool until solidified. For a soft, spreadable texture, use 1.5 tablespoons beeswax; adjust amounts for firmer consistency.

Uses

  • Treat cuts, scrapes, and bruises as an antiseptic alternative to Neosporin
  • Reduce eczema/psoriasis symptoms with added tea tree oil
  • Soothe muscle cramps and aches
  • Accelerate scar healing
  • Remove makeup with a damp cloth
  • Moisturize hands/feet and condition nails
  • Relieve pet itching and scratching
  • Serve as facial moisturizer and serum
  • Condition hair as a shine-enhancing serum

Advanced Tips

  • Use a roaster oven for long-term oil infusion
  • Avoid moisture by using dried herbs initially and fully wilt fresh herbs before use
  • Essential oils (e.g., lavender, eucalyptus) can enhance fragrance and efficacy

Recipe Examples

  • Pregnancy Salve: Lavender, chamomile, comfrey, almond oil, cocoa butter
  • Diaper Rash Salve: St. John’s wort, calendula, comfrey, almond oil, beeswax
  • Antiseptic Salve: Goldenseal, echinacea, almond oil, beeswax
  • Cold-Relieving Salve: Echinacea, rosemary, eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, olive oil, beeswax
  • Antifungal Salve: Chaparral, black walnut hulls, goldenseal, echinacea, almond oil, beeswax

Key Properties

  • Coconut oil provides antibacterial moisture
  • Olive oil offers antioxidants
  • Lavender, rosemary, and peppermint combine as natural antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, and muscle soothers
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