How to make Salves and Balms

DIY Salves and Balms

Making salves and balms is a hands-on approach to taking charge of your health and well-being. These soothing, skin-nourishing creations are typically made by blending oils, butters, waxes, and sometimes even animal fats, with herbs and essential oils for added benefits. Crafting a salve can be as simple as infusing an oil with herbs over a few weeks or using a gentle heat method for faster results.

Salve vs. Balm: What’s the Difference?

Salves and balms are similar in function and ingredients, both combining oil and a wax (most commonly beeswax) to create a semi-solid, spreadable mixture. The key difference lies in their consistency: balms are firmer due to a higher wax-to-oil ratio, forming a protective barrier on the skin, while salves are softer and more easily spread for deep moisturization and targeted healing.

Equipment

• Strainer, cheese cloth, or nut bag
• Funnel 
• Containers for finished salves/balms, often small glass jars or round/square tins are used
• Jars for infusing herbs(sit and forget slow method)
• Pot, crock pot, double boiler(faster warming method)
• Cups, scales, stirring utensils, labels

Choosing Your Ingredients

Oils:

Choose from jojoba, argan, castor, MCT, coconut, olive, or sweet almond oil. For the most nourishing results, opt for cold-pressed, virgin, and organic oils.

Fats:

Tallow, ghee, and other rendered animal fats have historical significance in herbal medicine, offering deep hydration and skin protection.

Butters:

Shea, cocoa, and mango butters provide a rich, creamy texture and help seal in moisture. They are packed with vitamins, essential fatty acids, and antioxidants for skin nourishment.

Waxes:

Beeswax creates a firmer consistency while offering antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. For a vegan alternative, organic soy wax can be used as a 1:1 substitute.

Herbs:

Dried herbs enhance salves with their medicinal properties. Popular choices include calendula, arnica, mint, spruce, pine, and cannabis. Chop herbs finely for even infusion.

Essential Oils:

A few drops add potency and fragrance. Common choices include lavender, tea tree, chamomile, peppermint, frankincense, sandalwood, and rosemary. Avoid phototoxic oils like lemon and bergamot, which increase sun sensitivity.

Optional Add-Ins:

• Vitamin E: An antioxidant that protects and nourishes the skin.
• Vitamin C: Supports collagen production and helps prevent sun damage.
• Magnesium: Soothes muscles, reduces inflammation, and promotes cellular repair.

Methods of Preparation

Herb-Infused Oil (Sit & Forget Method)

1. Place dried herbs and essential oils in a jar.
2. Cover with oil until just submerged.
3. Seal with a lid or breathable cloth.
4. Let sit in a warm, dark place for 1-4 weeks.
5. Strain using a fine mesh or cheesecloth and store the infused oil for use.

Simple Salve (Warming Method)

1. Use a 1:5 ratio of beeswax to oil (or 1:4 for a firmer consistency).
2. Melt wax, oil, and optional butters over low heat or use double boiler.
3. Add herbs and steep for 1-3 hours.
4. Strain out plant material and remove from heat.
5. Stir in essential oils, vitamins, or magnesium.
6. Pour into containers and let cool.

Basic Balm Recipe

1. Use a 1:3 ratio of beeswax to oil.
2. Follow the same steps as the salve method, adjusting for the firmer texture.

Tallow-Based Salve

1. Melt tallow over low heat.
2. Add herbs and either infuse for 1 month off-heat or heat for 1-3 hours.
3. Strain, add essential oils and other add-ins, then pour into containers.

Final Thoughts

Creating your own salves and balms allows for endless customization. Through experimentation, you’ll discover your preferred blends, textures, and scents. Whether you keep it simple or craft complex formulations, the process is rewarding and empowers you to nourish your skin naturally.

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