Instead of reaching for a tube of Neosporin, whip up a batch of this great homemade healing salve to have on hand for cuts, scrapes, and scratches. It's a natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal. Plus it helps soothe the skin so fewer tears from the little ones!
It is no secret we love essential oilsand their many uses. One of my favorites is that I can make homemade products like this homemade healing salve that save me money, are natural, and without harsh chemicals.
Homemade Healing Salve
With 4 boys, cuts and scrapes are just a fact of life. We used to use a lot of Neosporin and other antibacterial creams/ointments but it contains petroleum jelly. So I tweaked one of my mother's salve recipes to come up with our own!
This is great to have on hand for little ones and even for accident-prone adults! I am forever managing to scrape or cut myself on absolutely nothing, so I think I use this as often as the kids.
Whip up a batch this weekend and keep it on hand for cuts, scrapes, stings, scratches, and other skin irritations!
What You Need for Homemade Healing Salve
- Coconut oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Comfrey leaves
- Calendula flowers
- Lavender flowers
- Beeswax
- Raw honey
- Witch hazel
- Lavender essential oil
- Tea Tree essential oil
- Lemon essential oil
- Cheesecloth
- Oven-safe dish or crockpot
- Storage containers
How to Make Homemade Healing Salve
- Preheat your oven to 170 degrees. 75 for those of you that use Celsius and 55 for a Celsius fan assisted oven.
2. Combine coconut oil, almond oil, comfrey, calendula, and lavender in an oven-safe dish. I just use a glass baking dish or even a Pyrex measuring cup.
3. Place in the oven for 2-4 hours. The longer you are able to have it in the oil, the better the herbs seem to release into the oil. You can also do this in a crockpot set on warm!
4. Strain the oil using cheesecloth to remove the herbs. Make sure to squeeze all the oil you can out of the herbs!
5. Discard your herbs & pour the strained oil into a medium pot on medium heat.
6. Stir in the honey until completely combined.
7. Add the beeswax, stirring until completely melted.
8. Perform a spoon test to check for consistency.
9. Remove from heat & allow to cool slightly.
10. Add your witch hazel & essential oils, stirring well.
11. Pour the mixture into your containers and seal once it has cooled to room temperature.
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Substitutions for Homemade Healing Salve
If you are short on time, you can make this in a pan on the stove. Cook the oils and herbs on low for 30 minutes and then move on to step 4. I do it with a homemade double boiler to avoid scalding with direct heat.
What if I don't have sweet almond oil?
Macadamia nut oil, apricot kernel oil, grapeseed, sunflower, and safflower can all be used. My mom uses olive oil instead of the coconut and almond oil combo in her salves (we have the same basic recipe we both use for most of our salves) because two of my siblings are allergic to almonds and one is allergic to coconut.
If I don't have sweet almond oil, my preference is actually Jojoba oil. The type of oil you use will affect how much beeswax you use a little but the spoon test helps you adjust to get the right consistency for the oils you use as well as room temperature in your house.
What if I don't have one of the herbs?
You can order all 3 online, but if one is out of stock you can make some substitutions. Do not use just comfrey though if you will be using it on new wounds. It is generally not recommended for open wounds because it helps the outer skin heal quickly and bacteria can get trapped under the skin. Combined with the lavender and calendula, we have never had that issue.
Making substitutions in salve recipes is how I've created some of my favorites. It's also how I've discovered some truly horrid scents…that were still pretty effective for their desired use but no one can tolerate it enough to continue making them!
Yarrow and goldenrod are both used for cuts that are still open/bleeding slightly. Chamomile works great in place of lavender for the soothing aspect. Gotu kola is one I haven't tried yet but recently ordered because it is used to treat skin conditions and I want to try it in a psoriasis salve. Arnica is a favorite in my family for both pain relief and its healing abilities.
Can I use beeswax beads instead of shaving beeswax off a block?
You can, but the beads/pellets/pastilles seem to have a higher oil content so they don't solidify the same as a beeswax bar. I think you could adjust for this during the spoon test but haven't tried it with the pastilles before since I changed my method up years ago.
If you make any substitutions, please leave a comment and let me know how it turned out!
How Long Does This Homemade Healing Salve Last?
Typically salves last about 6 months at room temperature and up to a year in the fridge. If you make a larger batch than you'll use within 6 months, try storing half in the fridge.
Homemade Healing Salve Benefits:
Homemade natural products are always going to be my first choice. I like to know exactly what we are putting on (and in!) our bodies. This salve helps cuts and scrapes heal quickly, provides a thin barrier against dirt and grime, and soothes skin irritations.
I like whipping up a batch of this and storing it in small containers. I like to keep one in my purse for on the go issues and in our first aid kit at home. In the spring and fall, I can keep one in the car's first aid kit, but it doesn't hold up well to the well below freezing temps an Iowa winter brings and is way too liquid during the 90+ summer heat.
More Homemade Products:
- Homemade Sore Muscle Salve
- Homemade Sleep Salve
- Whipped Lavender Homemade Body Butter
- Homemade Lavender Bath Salts
Homemade Healing Salve
This healing salve is so easy to make and great for small cuts, scrapes, and scratches! It uses a combo of essential oils and herbs to promote healing and soothe sore skin.
Active Time20 minutes
Additional Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Materials
- 1 cup coconut oil
- 1 cup almond oil
- 1 oz of each dried comfrey leaves
- 1 oz dried calendula
- 1 oz dried lavender flowers
- 2-4 oz beeswax
- 2 tablespoon honey
- 2 tablespoon witch hazel
- 20-30 drops essential oils (I like using equal amounts of lavender, tea tree, and lemon)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170 degrees.
- Combine coconut oil, almond oil, comfrey, calendula, and lavender in an oven safe dish.
- Place in oven for 2-4 hours. The longer, the better. You can also do this in a crockpot set on warm!
- Strain the oil using cheesecloth to remove the herbs. Make sure to squeeze all the oil you can out of the herbs!
- Discard your herbs & pour the strained oil into a medium pot on medium heat.
- Stir in the honey until completely combined.
- Add 2 ounces of beeswax, stirring until completely melted.
- Perform the spoon test (see note) and add more beeswax as needed.
- Remove from heat & allow to cool slightly.
- Add your witch hazel & essential oils, stirring well.
- Pour the mixture into your containers and seal once it has cooled to room temperature.
Notes
Prefer to use the stovetop? Cook oils & herbs on low for 30 minutes, then start with step 4.
Beeswax spoon test: Lay out a piece of wax paper. Dip a spoon into your oil/beeswax mixture and lay on the wax paper. Give it a few minutes to cool and check the consistency. Add more beeswax and recheck as needed until you reach the desired consistency.
Note from my mom: I make mine a little thinner in the winter and a little thicker in the summer, to account for differences in storage & shipping temperatures.
Did you make this project?
Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram
FAQs
How do you make a healing salve? ›
Making The Healing Salve
Place your shaved beeswax in a pan over low heat, and pour the infused oil over top and melt together. Once the beeswax and oil have combined, pour the mixture into jars. Place your herbal salves in the refrigerator for about 10-15 minutes to determine the solidification of the salve.
The general rule of thumb for salve is to use about 1 part of beeswax/butter to approximately 4-7 parts oil.
How much honey do I add to salve? ›- 1/2 cup carrier oil of choice can be an infused herbal oil.
- 1/2 ounce beeswax.
- 2 tbsp Manuka honey.
- 30 drops proplis extract.
- preservative of choice see post for more info.
Honey: I add a dash of honey to my salve for its healing and antimicrobial properties. Essential oils: Not only do essential oils smell amazing, but each has unique properties that can improve your skin. Since I'm prone to getting cuts and scrapes, I benefit from lavender's healing properties.
What salve draws out infection? ›ICHTHAMMOL (ik THAM awl) is a topical drawing salve. It is used to treat insect bites or stings and minor skin infections.
What is the best essential oil for healing wounds? ›Another 2016 study found that lavender essential oil promotes wound healing by increasing collagen and regenerating tissue, especially in the early phase of treatment. Topical application of lavender oil helped to speed up wound closure and promoted wound shrinking. You may see results in as little as one week.
How long does homemade salve last? ›It's easy to adjust the consistency of a salve by adding a bit more oil to make it more spreadable or a bit 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.
How much vitamin E should I put in salve? ›Depending on the percentage of oil in your formulation, Vitamin E can be used at around 0.3% - 0.5% to extend the life of your product, as a VERY general rule.
What kind of olive oil do you use for salves? ›A simple method of infusing oil is as basic as macerating 1 ounce of fresh herb (1/2 ounce, dried), placing it in a bottle or jar, and filling it with 4 ounces of extra virgin olive oil.
What is a good drawing salve? ›Ichthammol is often used as a drawing salve. The product can help alleviate the discomfort of ingrown hairs, splinters, and more. Studies suggest ichthammol ointment has properties that could also be helpful for minor skin irritation.
What's the difference between salve and balm? ›
Salves are able to soothe even the worst chapped lips or diaper rashes. For the most part, a balm has the same ingredients as a salve. Balms have a higher beeswax content giving them a harder, thicker consistency that is able to keep its shape. They may also include body butter, making them smoother than a salve.
How much beeswax do I need to make salve? ›The Right Ratio
A general rule of thumb when making salves is to use one part beeswax to three to five parts oil.
Honey has anti-oxidant, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as a wound dressing to promote rapid and improved healing. These effects are due to honey's anti-bacterial action, secondary to its high acidity, osmotic effect, anti-oxidant content and hydrogen peroxide content.
Will coconut oil heal wounds? ›Can coconut oil heal wounds? The short answer is yes. There are many great uses for coconut oil including its ability to promote wound healing due to its high concentration of monolaurin. Monolaurin is a fatty acid renowned for its antimicrobial effects.
What is a homemade drawing salve? ›Homemade drawing salve may be one of the best options when it comes to healing. Drawing salve is a blend of ingredients that create an ointment used topically to help heal skin inflammation, boils, insect bites and splinters.
Can you put drawing salve on an open wound? ›Do not use on open wounds. Keep out of reach of children.
How does Amish draw salve work? ›This relieving salve is a blend of high-quality olive oil and beeswax that penetrates deeply to draw out splinters and toxins from insect bites and soothe a variety of skin irritations. It also contains natural herbs and essential oils, including chickweed, comfrey, pine oil, wintergreen oil, and lavender oil.
How long do you leave drawing salve on? ›As a note for use, you may need to leave the Draw Salve on for 30 minutes or longer to help to remove the foreign object easier. In severe cases, this procedure may need to be repeated several times.
Which oil is best for skin repair? ›In general, coconut, rosehip, olive and argan oils help treat dry skin. Extra virgin olive oil, coconut oil and marula can help treat extremely dry skin that is prone to cracking, bleeding and flaking.
Does tea tree oil help wounds heal faster? ›The antibacterial properties of tea tree oil make it an effective wound healer. According to a 2013 study, tea tree oil helps to heal wounds caused by bacteria. Nine of the 10 people who used tea tree oil in addition to conventional treatment showed a decrease in healing time compared to conventional treatment alone.
What oil can I put on an open wound? ›
Coconut oil may promote wound healing due to its high concentration of monolaurin, a fatty acid renowned for its antimicrobial effects. Using high-quality coconut oil may help reduce the risk of infection in healing wounds.
What herbs are good for healing wounds? ›- Aloe (Aloe vera), as a cream or gel. ...
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, as an ointment or a tea applied topically. ...
- Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) as a topical ointment to help wounds heal and fight inflammation.
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) as oil or cream.
Miracle salve contains 5 very amazing herbs, Comfrey, Lobelia, Mullein, Oregon Grape, and Plantain. This salve was made specifically for treating burns and has been used on everything from mild sunburns to very severe burns. I like to add Lavender when using it to treat burns of any kind.
Can you refrigerate salve? ›Keep your salves and balms in the refrigerator to greatly extend the useful life of your products. Discard Green Gold if it turns yellow from air and UV exposure. Discard any organic personal care product that has a sharp rancid aroma or color change.
How long does herbal salve last? ›Salve will start to harden as it cools (immediately), so pour into your containers as soon as it's done; don't let it sit on the stove too long. Your salve should last about 6 months (even twice as long if refrigerated).
Can I mix Vitamin E and olive oil? ›Olive oil and Vitamin E oil can block damage to the cells and prevent pigmentation. The olive oil and vitamin E oil should be mixed together. Use the blended oil to massage the face using soft fingertips. It should be retained on the face overnight.
How can I get Vitamin E at home? ›Make Vitamin E Oil - YouTube
How do you make natural healing oils? ›- Prepare your jar. ...
- Fill the jar to the top with herbs.
- Pour oil over the herbs slowly. ...
- Cover the jar, give it a few shakes, and put it in a cool place inside your house. ...
- Strain the oil into your storage bottles through a cloth-lined strainer. ...
- Cork and label your bottles.
Herbal salve without beeswax
Other vegan wax options include carnauba wax, soy wax, bayberry wax, or berry fruit wax.
- 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil.
- 2 tablespoon coconut oil.
- 2 tablespoon sweet almond oil.
- 2 teaspoon beeswax.
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil.
- 8 drops lavender essential oil.
- 4 drops lemon essential oil.
- 2 tablespoon raw honey optional.
What is the difference between a balm and a salve? ›
Salves are able to soothe even the worst chapped lips or diaper rashes. For the most part, a balm has the same ingredients as a salve. Balms have a higher beeswax content giving them a harder, thicker consistency that is able to keep its shape. They may also include body butter, making them smoother than a salve.
How do you make natural healing oils? ›- Prepare your jar. ...
- Fill the jar to the top with herbs.
- Pour oil over the herbs slowly. ...
- Cover the jar, give it a few shakes, and put it in a cool place inside your house. ...
- Strain the oil into your storage bottles through a cloth-lined strainer. ...
- Cork and label your bottles.
It's easy to adjust the consistency of a salve by adding a bit more oil to make it more spreadable or a bit 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.
What is Miracle salve? ›Miracle salve contains 5 very amazing herbs, Comfrey, Lobelia, Mullein, Oregon Grape, and Plantain. This salve was made specifically for treating burns and has been used on everything from mild sunburns to very severe burns. I like to add Lavender when using it to treat burns of any kind.
How do you make easy salve? ›Salves are usually a combination of beeswax and oil. In fact, you can make a very simple lip salve by simply combing warm olive oil and melted beeswax (about 5 parts oil to 1 part beeswax).
Is Vaseline a salve? ›Robert Chesebrough patented petroleum jelly under the name Vaseline in 1872, and many of these salves have a base of petrolatum, or petroleum jelly. Salves were packaged in tins, while liniments were generally bottled.
What makes a salve a salve? ›A Salve is a blend of infused oils or essential oils mixed with beeswax and are applied topically for various reasons. (Seriously, you can make a salve for just about anything, there are numerous recipes out there!)
How can I make herbal ointment at home? ›- 1 cup distilled water or rosewater.
- 3/4 cup carrier oil (almond, or an herb-infused oil)
- 1/2 oz. –1 oz. beeswax (less for a thinner consistency, more for a firmer cream)
- a double boiler.
- blender or immersion blender.
- clean glass jars.
- essential oils, if desired.
- Calendula. ...
- Alfalfa. ...
- Chickweed. ...
- Nettles. ...
- Rose Hips. ...
- Comfrey. ...
- Turmeric. Turmeric is found in the rhizome of a plant that looks similar to ginger. ...
- Dandelion. The properties of a dandelion are located in the aerial parts and its roots.
DIY Miracle Salve Recipe with Essential Oils - YouTube
What herbs are good for healing wounds? ›
- Aloe (Aloe vera), as a cream or gel. ...
- Calendula (Calendula officinalis), or pot marigold, as an ointment or a tea applied topically. ...
- Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) as a topical ointment to help wounds heal and fight inflammation.
- Tea tree oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) as oil or cream.
Depending on the percentage of oil in your formulation, Vitamin E can be used at around 0.3% - 0.5% to extend the life of your product, as a VERY general rule.
Why is my salve separating? ›If your salve or balm melts (temperatures over 110 F will typically do this given time) it will separate into a liquid and solid layer. When it solidifies back the product will be grainy and less desirable to use in terms of look and feel, though still usable.
Who invented miracle salve? ›In the 1920s, Luther Terrell was working on making a grease to use on equipment at the sawmill he operated. He burned himself, and grabbed a handful of the grease and rubbed it on the burn. And he discovered that it helped with the pain and healing of the burned skin.
What is salve good for? ›Salves are multi-functional and have many purposes, and this is mostly because of the ingredients in these products. You can use a basic salve to help heal dry skin, chapped lips, and even diaper rash. Salves also work to help soothe sunburn, eczema, and cuts and scrapes.