How to make a herbal salve - Earthsong Seeds (2024)

FAQs

How to make a herbal salve - Earthsong Seeds? ›

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.

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.

You make them by first infusing herbs in a carrier oil. Carrier oils, such as olive oil, are liquid at room temperature, and they soak into dried herbs and pull out their medicinal properties. That finished medicinal oil is often called an infused oil, and we melt it with waxes and/or solid oils to create a salve.

Pour oil over the herbs slowly.

Using a chopstick or knife, move the herbs around to make sure all air pockets are filled with oil. Add enough oil to completely cover all the herbs, filling right up to the brim of the jar. Cover the jar, give it a few shakes, and put it in a cool place inside your house.

The main ingredients are often ichthammol, phenyl alcohol, or Arnica montana, and may contain herbs such as echinacea or calendula.

It's easy to adjust the consistency of a salve by adding a bit more oil to make it more spreadable or more beeswax to thicken or harden it. Homemade salves without any preservative agents will last about 6 to 8 months at room temperature out of direct heat and sunlight. Refrigerated, they'll keep for a year or more.

To make: Combine about 1/3 cup crumbled dried self heal with about 3/4 cup oil of your choice (olive or sunflower works well for salves). Leave uncovered and set the jar in a saucepan with a few inches of water; heat over medium low for 2 to 3 hours.

What is the best oil to use for herbal infusions? ›

Olive oil complements the flavor of herbs and garlic. If you prefer the herb flavor predominate, use a milder oil such as canola oil. Olive oil and canola oil contain fewer polyunsaturated fatty acids than many other vegetable oils and will turn rancid less quickly.

It's important to check the oil regularly for any signs of spoilage. To prevent the risk of spoilage, it's recommended to make infused olive oil in small batches and to use it within six months. If you have a large quantity of infused olive oil, consider storing it in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.

Calendula has amazing medicinal properties, and is commonly used in salves & tea's. Aside from its amazing medicinal properties, the blooms are beautiful and abundant throughout the growing season. In fact, calendula has to be one of my favorite plants to grow, because it's so easy to maintain & the blooms are endless!

It's best to use dried herbs rather than fresh, since the lack of moisture helps keep the salve from spoiling. If you only have fresh herbs, allow them to wilt on a paper towel for a few hours prior to using to remove excess moisture.

Like the herb-infused oil, salves have a shelf life of 6 months – 3 years depending on the oil used.

Salves tend to be more oily and thinner in consistency, while balms are more thick and waxy. Salves can be better for moisturizing dry skin or treating specific conditions, while balms are better at sealing in moisture and creating a barrier against environmental irritants for general skincare.

For instance, if your salve is too hard, melt it down and stir in more carrier oil until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if your salve is too runny, add more beeswax or hard butter (e.g., cocoa butter) to thicken it up.