As a mom of two littles in the thick of raising kids, the occasional bump and bruise is bound to happen. And by occasional, I mean about one bump every 0.5 seconds. Every bump, scrape, cut, and boo-boo needs a kiss, and I often tell my sweet tearful child to “shake it off,” which she promptly does after saying thank you for the kiss.
Sometimes, however, the bump is a really bad bump and needs a little extra love.
Making an herbal salve is one of my favorite ways to utilize the herbs that God grows on His land. From the pesky weeds we find in our yards to the plants we carefully cultivate in our gardens, herbs can be dried and used to make a variety of herbal preparations.
Today we’re talking specifically about herbal salves and a simple overview of herbal infusions.
It truly is amazing how God has provided so many plants around us that have been traditionally used to support the body’s natural healing processes. Whether growing wild or intentionally planted, herbs have been used for generations as part of everyday home remedies.
What You’ll Need
If you’d like to make this salve yourself, these are the ingredients and tools I use:
Herbs & Ingredients
Equipment
Herbal salves are wonderfully versatile and can be used by people of all ages. If you choose to use essential oils, be sure to follow proper dilution guidelines and IFRA recommendations. Essential oils are highly concentrated and should always be used thoughtfully and safely.
Making the Herbal Infusion
Before you can make a salve, you first need to infuse your chosen oil or fat with herbs.
For this salve, I used a blend of chamomile, lavender, and calendula.
In the first infusion shown in the video, I combined chamomile and lavender with beef tallow. For this infusion, I used a 1:4 herb-to-tallow ratio by weight. Once everything was combined, I placed the mixture into a double boiler and gently heated it to approximately 120–140°F, holding it at that temperature for several hours.
This is known as the hot infusion method. It is one of the quickest ways to infuse herbs into oils and fats while using low, gentle heat.
The second infusion shown in the video uses olive oil. This method is even simpler, but it requires more patience. The herbs are placed into the oil and allowed to infuse in a warm, dark location for 4–6 weeks, with the jar being shaken regularly.
Both methods can create beautiful herbal infusions. The hot infusion method gives you results much faster, while the slow infusion method allows time to do the work for you.
I typically measure all of my ingredients by weight. It helps create consistency from batch to batch and makes it much easier to recreate a recipe later.
Making the Salve
Once your infusions are complete, you’re ready to make the salve.
Begin by melting and combining all of your Phase A ingredients. Once everything is fully melted and mixed together, allow the mixture to cool before adding your Phase B ingredients.
I usually have the best results when the mixture cools to around 115–120°F before adding any heat-sensitive ingredients. Since beeswax can begin thickening the mixture fairly quickly as it cools, continue stirring well to ensure everything stays evenly incorporated before pouring.
Once everything is combined, pour the salve into your containers and allow it to cool completely.
That’s it.
A simple herbal salve is one of the easiest ways to begin working with herbs at home. With just a few ingredients and a little patience, you can create something practical to keep on hand for everyday bumps, scrapes, and dry skin.
One of my favorite things about herbalism is that it encourages us to slow down and appreciate the resources God has already provided. Whether you’re growing herbs in your garden, foraging responsibly, or purchasing them dried, learning how to transform those plants into useful preparations is a skill that can serve your family for years to come.
Watch the making of the salve!
Below you’ll find the complete recipe used for this salve.
Chamomile, Calendula & Lavender Herbal Salve
Yield
Approximately 60g (about two 1 oz tins)
Ingredients
Phase A
- 25.8g Chamomile & Lavender Infused Tallow
- 18g Calendula Infused Olive Oil
- 15g Beeswax
Phase B
- 0.6g Vitamin E Oil
- 0.6g Essential Oils of Choice (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare your herbal infusions ahead of time.
- Add the infused tallow, infused olive oil, and beeswax to a heat-safe container.
- Place the container into a double boiler and heat gently until the beeswax is completely melted.
- Remove from heat and stir thoroughly.
- Allow the mixture to cool to approximately 115–120°F (46–49°C).
- Add the vitamin E oil and essential oils, if using.
- Stir well to fully incorporate all ingredients.
- Pour into tins or jars.
- Allow the salve to cool completely before placing lids on the containers.
- Store in a cool, dry place.
Notes
- Essential oils are optional.
- Always use fully dried herbs for oil infusions to reduce the risk of spoilage.
- The consistency of the finished salve can be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the beeswax. More beeswax creates a firmer salve, while less beeswax creates a softer salve.
- Shelf life will largely depend on the freshness of your oils and herbs. When stored properly, this salve can typically last 6–12 months.
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