Ointments, salves and lip balms are extremely easy to make from cold or heat infused herbal oils. You simply add a small quantity of beeswax, solidifying the oil the extent you need. The more beeswax you add, the more solid the result; salves are very soft, ointments are a little firmer and lip balms are firm enough to retain their shape when moulded into a stick.
Before I learnt how to make ointments with plant oils and beeswax I made them using Vaseline. Although I find Vaseline is drying when used repeatedly for a long period of time, using it as a base is straightforward. The Vaseline method saves making an infused oil to start with and provides a more waterproof barrier on the skin as it is not easily absorbed. Vaseline will only produce a salve or ointment consistency but can also work very well as a lip balm, especially in the winter.
I sometimes buy purpose made small amber glass pots but mostly I sterilise and reuse tiny jam and mustard pots, pesto jars or the tiny preserving jars shown in the photos which hold about 100ml. Smaller pots are better unless you know you will use the contents quickly. Whichever containers you use, ensure you can easily reach inside.
Here are the two methods, both of which work well for small or large quantities. Use the contents within about three months but be aware that the contents can become contaminated easily. If you notice that the colour, smell or texture changes or anything else makes you suspect contamination, stop using and make a fresh batch.
How to make salves, ointments or lip balm from infused herb oils
Materials:
Cold or heat Infused herb oil
Beeswax (pellets or “cake”)
Saucepan
Low heat source (candle or stove)
Spoon/chopstick
Glass storage containers and well fitting lids – very clean and dry
(also a Cheese grater, if you are using a cake of beeswax)
Method
- Measure volume of the infused oil you are using and pour it into a clean saucepan.
- Grate beeswax – For every 30ml of oil you will need about 1 tablespoon of grated beexwax (or pellets).
- Add the grated beeswax to oil, in the saucepan.
- Heat the oil and wax very gently over a low heat source, stirring constantly, until all of the beeswax has dissolved.
- Check the consistency of your salve/ointment/lipbalm by putting a few drops onto a cool surface such as a saucer or metal spoon. It will solidify very quickly. How does it feel? If it is softer than you need, add a little more beeswax to your oil, if it is too hard add a little more infused oil or plain vegetable oil.
- If you have added more oil or beeswax, continue heating until dissolved.
- Remove from heat and pour into clean, dry glass storage containers.
- Label and allow to cool.
How to make salves, ointments or lip balm with Vaseline
Materials
Vaseline
Dried or fresh herb (finely cut)
Jelly bag or muslin
Rubber gloves
Saucepan
Jug
Glass containers and well fitting lids – very clean and dry
Method
- Melt the Vaseline over a low heat, in the saucepan.
- Add 60g dried herb or 150g fresh herb for every 500g of Vaseline.
- Simmer the Vaseline herb mixture for about 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
- Pour into the jelly bag and wear rubber gloves to squeeze the hot herb infused Vaseline into the jug.
- Pour clean, dry glass storage containers.
- Label and allow to cool.
FAQs
Method
- First you will need to make an infused oil. ...
- Take 100ml of your infused herbal oil.
- Warm in a bain-marie, add 15g beeswax until it has melted.
- Take it off the heat.
- Whilst it is still warm add any essential oils you want to.
- Pour this into some salve jars.
- Allow to cool and then add a lid, label and store.
In a dry, pint-size jar, crumble 1/2 cup dried herbs and cover with 1 cup of olive oil (ratio 1 part dried herbs : 2 parts oil). Cap and place the jar in a soup pot filled with water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, then simmer for 1 hour. Strain the herbs from the oil with a piece of clean cloth.
What is the ratio for homemade salve? ›
Mixing Your Salve
I typically make my salve with an oil to beeswax ratio of 3:1 or 4:1, which results in a thick but still easily spreadable texture. For example, in my latest batch I had about 100 mL of melted beeswax so I added about 300 mL of oil.
What is the best oil to use for a salve? ›
Suitable ingredients for a salve include many vegetable oils (such as olive, sunflower, sweet almond, apricot) and beeswax or vegetable wax such as candelilla or carnuba.
How long do homemade salves last? ›
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.
How to turn oil into ointment? ›
Method 1: Basic ointment
Choose the ratio of herbal infused oil to beeswax as noted in the above box. Gently heat the oil and beeswax together over a bain-marie (or a pouring jug nestled in a pan of gently heating water). Allow to melt and stir until melted and well combined.
How to create your own ointment? ›
A base for your ointment is simply made from 800ml olive oil (other oil can be used if desired but olive is awesome) to 150gm beeswax. First gently boil the herbs of choice in the oil until it stops steaming and frothing. Remove the heat immediately and allow to cool. Strain through nylon stockings or suitable filter.
What herb combinations for salves? ›
Salve for scrapes and burns
- 8 oz. herb-infused oil using equal parts comfrey leaf (Symphytum sp.), oregon grape root (Berberis aquifolium), and calendula (Calendula officinalis)
- 1–2 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula sp.)
Best Herbs for Salves
- Arnica flowers.
- Burdock root.
- Calendula flowers.
- Cayenne powder.
- Chamomile flowers.
- Chickweed.
- Comfrey leaf and/or root.
- Echinacea herb and/or root.
What quantities should I use? Generally speaking, you need to use roughly 15-20% beeswax to 25-30% butter and 45-50% oil. The more butter and wax you use, the thicker or 'sturdier' your lip balm will be. This is good if you want your lip balm to stay on for quite a while.
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.
How to make salve thicker? ›
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.
What oil absorbs best into skin? ›
Light oils are quickly absorbed by the skin and do not leave a greasy layer.
- Jojoba Oil: Similar to the skin's natural oils. ...
- Argan oil: Quickly absorbed, non-greasy. ...
- Grape seed oil: Suitable for oily skin.
- Apricot kernel oil: Light and soothing, suitable for sensitive skin.
- 4 cups Olive Oil ( I buy the big jar of olive oil at Costco)
- 1 1/4 cup Dried Herbs (I use 1/2 cup calendula, 1/2 cup plantain, 1/4 cup comfrey leaf)
- 4 – 6 oz Bees Wax (depending how thick you want it)
- 1 Tablespoon Vitamin E Oil (helps salve from going rancid)
The first step to homemade herbal salves is to make your herb infused oil. 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.
What is the difference between ointment and balm and salve? ›
While the terms may be used interchangeably, a salve is a subset of the ointment category. Salves are typically softer than balms yet harder than traditional ointments. They absorb deeply into the skin and are frequently infused with herbs or essential oils to treat wounds and sores.
How do you make all purpose salve? ›
Ingredients: 5oz Avocado Oil (divided into 4 and 1oz) 1.25oz Shea Butter 1.25oz Coconut Oil 1 Ounce Beeswax 1/4 Cup St. John's Wort 1/4 Cup Echinacea (herb/leaves) 1/4 Cup Calendula Flower 1/2 Tsp Lavender Essential Oil Making the all-purpose salve: Add all herbs into a clean jar and top with 4oz of the avocado oil.
How do you make skin healing balm? ›
Method
- Add carrier oil, coconut oil, shea butter and beeswax to a glass bowl and heat until completely melted, using either a microwave or the double boiler method. ...
- Add remaining ingredients and mix until combined.
- Transfer into container of choice.
Homemade Antibiotic Ointment Directions
Add the tea tree oil, vitamin E oil, lavender oil, and lemon oil, stirring with a wooden spoon. After the oils are thoroughly mixed, pour into a small sterilized container, and let it cool until solid. Add a lid and label it with the contents and the date!
Ointments, salves and lip balms are extremely easy to make from cold or heat infused herbal oils. You simply add a small quantity of beeswax, solidifying the oil the extent you need. The more beeswax you add, the more solid the result; salves are very soft, ointments are a little firmer and lip balms are firm enough to retain their shape when moulded into a stick.
