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Use this healing salve recipe for a simple and effective homemade antibiotic ointment full of ingredients you can pronounce and feel good about.
This is a basic salve recipe that can speed up the healing process for cuts, scrapes, bug bites, burns, and most any small wound.
Homemade salve recipes are as individual as the people making them. They are usually a reflection of the herbalist creating them and the herbs available locally and within easy reach.
Gather Medicinal Herbs
This is all about finding what’s close and local. No need for exotic herbs here, go for fresh and local first and foremost.
It’s a matter of simply taking what’s growing in the neighborhood and harvesting the plants’ beneficial properties. There’s no right or wrong and each preparation is going to vary based on the location in the world and the particular crafter’s own needs.
Here is a list of some commonly found herbs and weeds to guide your formulation:
Calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis) can provide relief to burns including sunburn. It has also historically been used to soften skin which is great for helping to soothe scabs and other skin irritations.
Comfrey (symphytum officinale) speeds healing with it’s high vitamin and mineral content.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) greens and flowers are antibacterial and can help relieve stiff and sore joints.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) has anti-inflammatory properties as well as being antibacterial.
Lavender (Lavendula spp.) has anti-fungal properties, is antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is antibacterial and antiviral.
Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is both antibacterial and anti-fungal.
Plantain leaves (Plantago major) help relieve itching associated with skin conditions, and bug bites, as well as easing the pain associated with bee stings.
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is anti-inflammatory and generally soothing to the skin.
Rose petals (Rosa spp.) are astrigent, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is also antifungal, antibacterial, astringent, and anti-inflammatory.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericucm perforatum) is amazing for burns and bruises.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) can stop bleeding and disinfect wounds.
The amount of herbs you need will depend on the method you choose to infuse your herbs. See making infused oil below.
Use a mixture of the herbs mentioned above, but the exact ratio isn’t important. Again, use what’s on hand and generally most needed for your family.
Make Infused Oil
All herbal healing salves start with an herbal oil infusion. There are a few different ways to do this infusing. You can choose which method works for you.
Use whatever oil you have on hand or can find easily. Olive oil works perfectly. Grapeseed oil tends to be on the frugal and works just great. Truly, go for whatever you like: avocado, jojoba, etc.
Method 1: Solar Infusion with Wilted Herbs
For this method, you’ll start with fresh herbs. Gather them and give them a quick rinse and run through a salad spinner to remove any bugs and dirt.
Then spread the herbs out onto a towel and let dry slightly, wilt overnight.
The next day, give the fresh herbs a rough chop with a knife. It doesn’t have to be fancy just give it all a chop so that there is more surface area exposed to the oil.
You’ll want about 1/2 cup of wilted, chopped herbs.
Put the herbs in a clean glass jar and cover with 1 Cup of oil. Make sure the herbs stay submerged to prevent mold.
Cover the jar with cheesecloth and secure with a rubber band. Let the jar sit in a sunny window for about month. Strain the herbs and proceed with making a salve.
Method 2: Solar Infusion with Dry Herbs
For this method, you want 1/4 cup of fully dried herbs.
Rub thos herbs through your hands or use a mortar and pestle to lightly crush the herbs.
Put the herbs in a clean glass jar and cover with 1 Cup of oil.
Cover the jar with a lid. Let the jar sit in a sunny window for about month. Strain the herbs and proceed with making a salve.
The benefit of this method is that you don’t likely have to worry about any mold growing because there is no water in the herbs.
Method 3: Double Boiler
A quicker method, requires a gentle heating over low heat. The easiest way to do this in my opinion is in a double boiler. If you have an actual double boiler pot, feel free to use that. Otherwise a small bowl place over a small saucepan works just fine. I keep a dedicated bowl for making salves because it can be incredibly difficult to remove melted beeswax and this way I never worry about it mixing with food.
You’ll want to put an inch or two of water in the bottom of the double boiler or sauce pan. Bring the water to a boil.
In the top of the double boiler, add the 1/2 cup of chopped herbs (or 1/4 cup dried herbs) and 1 Cup of oil. Turn the heat down so that the water remains at a simmer but not a full rolling boil, place the top on top and keep the oil warming for 30 minutes.
The purpose is to keep the oil hot but not quite simmering or frying. Keep it heating for a full 30 minutes.
After the 30 minutes, remove from heat and strain the herbs from the warm oil.
Wipe out the top of the double boiler so that there are no bits of plant material in the pot and proceed with making salve.
Make Salve
Once your oil is strained, no matter the method of infusing, you’re ready to make salve.
Put about an inch of water in the bottom of a the double boiler and bring to a gentle simmer.
Pour the strained oil into the top of the double boiler and add 2 Tablespoons of grated beeswax or pure beeswax pastilles.
Heat this mixture until the beeswax is completely melted, stirring well. Remove from heat.
To make a softer salve, use less beeswax, for a firmer salve use more.
Pour the still warm and liquefied balm into storage containers – use glass jars, metal tins, even re-purposed candy tins, anything with a wide opening and a lid will work.
Allow the salve to firm up, before putting the lid on the container.
How to Use
Slather this healing salve onto minor cuts, scrapes and burns.
Use it on itchy skin, rashes, and other skin ailments by rubbing a small amount on the affected area.
We’ve had great success using it on everything from blisters to sunburn.
Because all oils can go rancid, be sure to use the salve up within a year.
How to Make Healing Salve
Use this quick and easy method to make healing salve from local and seasonal herbs to treat burns, cuts, scrapes, itches, and more
Materials
- 1 Cup Olive Oil or carrier oil of choice
- 1/2 Cup Fresh Herbs or 1/4 Cup Dried Herbs
- 2 Tablespoons Beeswax Pastilles
Tools
- Double Boiler
- Fine Mesh Sieve
- Salve Containers
Instructions
- Put an inch or two of water into the bottom of a double boiler. Bring to a boil.
- Mix herbs and oil in the top of double boiler.
- Place the top on the double boiler and reduce heat to keep water simmering but not boiling.
- Keep the herbal oil warm (not frying) for 30 minutes.
- Strain the oil through a fine mesh sieve.
- Pour the clean oil back into the double boiler that has been cleaned of any herb bits.
- Add beeswax. Heat until the beeswax melts.
- Pour liquid salve into containers. Let sit until solidified, then put lids on containers.
Words of Caution
Obviously avoid any herbs to which you or the recipient is allergic.
None of this advice replaces that of a trained medical doctor or other health professional. Please seek advice when needed.
Usually I read your blog in my email and seldom come to comment. I am interested in how to find a way to learn more about natural herbal medicine. Did you take a class? Read books?
I’ve done a combination of things. Taken some classes both in person and on line and I’ve read bunches of books. Anything by Rosemary Gladstar is a great start for the home herbalist in my opinion. I read constantly about the subject and I’ve been blessed to get to know some trained herbalists over the years.
Thanks! I’ll look into Rosemary’s information.
I made a salve 3 days ago with plantain and calendula infuse olive oil, beeswax, and coconut oil, and tea tree oul, lemon oil and lavender oil. My poor dog came home from a biking trip with DH coveted in fire ant bites! I put some of this on him, the redness and inflammation were gone by the next morning and completely healed in 2 days.
What an awesome healing story! Yay.
I love that you specify what each of the ingredients is meant to do. This made made it super easy for me to substitute a couple of things I didn’t have with herbs I do already have on hand that contain the same properties. Thanks so much for the recipe!
Yes, I totally agree. It was not only helpful for this recipe but also for other recipes I would like to make. Thank you
Adding Arnica flowers to any joint/muscle oil or salve reduces pain greatly as well as daisies . They are both great pain reducers and skin softeners as well . A bit of cayenne added works even more and peppermint oil as well.
should i wash the wild dadalion flowers and leaves and the wild plaintain leaves I harvested before putting in the oil?
Any wild herb should be washed let them air dry before putting in the oil as to not water the oil. Vit E and baking soda are a common additive to any healing salve made by the Amish. You may want to concider these also.
What’s the purpose of the baking soda? I know vitamin E is often added as a preservative, which I personally don’t think is necessary.
Baking soda helps stop itching when using it on stings and rashes. Vit E is also a healing agent and reduces scaring during healing.
With the right herbs, you wouldn’t need those additives. Plantain relieves itching from stings and rashes and comfrey speeds healing as do many other herbs. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!
Thanks for the response, however, i am severely sensitive to baking soda in body care products, It gives me horrific burns and rashes, so I will opt out on that one.
Yes, I would wash and let them dry completely.
I’ve already done mine with Comfrey as the main ingredient but balanced with Calendula and Plantain. I add Vitamin E to keep it longer.
I live in Mid-Michigan and I harvest what I know to harvest. Right now I have Plantain and Dandelion leaf drying. Waiting for the Yarrow and St. John’s Wart which are not quite ready. Also will harvest burdock, yellowdock, and Dandelion roots a little later. Of course wild cherry bark, white pine bark and needles will be harvested for treating fall coughs and colds as well. Thanks for your blog.
Such great ideas! Thank you for sharing.
I realize this is an older post but I hope you’ll answer :)
I don’t have access to any fresh herbs. Would this salve work with the dried herbs?
If so, would the amounts/method need to be adjusted?
You can use dried herbs, reduce to 1/4 cup total dried herbs instead of 1/2 fresh.
Is there some way to correctly identify Plantain? I don’t want to get something that may be harmful and do you have a recipe that will help PPP (psoriasis on feet and hands, the itching and cracking and pain is awful) Thanks
Here’s a pretty good guide to identifying plantain: http://gwens-nest.com/herb-identification-plantain/ – those vertical leaf veins. I’m sorry I don’t have any advice about the psoriasis. I wish you luck and healing!
@Homespun Seasonal Living, I make a comfrey salve for my friends for pain and my one friend gets psoriatic arthritis. she puts the comfrey salve on it and it takes away her rash and her pain. This answer is for little dove. I know this question is from 2016 but maybe she can still see this answer. Thank you.
Hi
I was wondering about the daisy comment. What kind of daisy I can use please?
Oxeye daisies are sometimes used topically for pain relief but I choose other herbs like arnica or birch before oxeye daisies.
When using the dandelions do you chop the whole plant up including the roots and flower before putting in oil as well as the other plants too? Do you include roots of all plants or just the tops with flowers etc? I have experience making my own lotions and creams and salves but usually have used dried plant and now I am going to do foraging on our land. Thank you
For this healing salve, I’m just using the aerial parts of the plants (the above ground parts). Herbal roots often have healing properties as well but they’re different. Dandelion roots for example are great internally but I haven’t heard of many folks using it externally…
Instead of straining out the herbs, can you leave the herbs in the oil and blend them in a processor? Thank you!
Maybe you’d want to watch closely for mold issues. I’ve never tired honestly.
I don’t want to use beeswax. What would you suggest using as a substitute?
There is a vegan wax called – Candelilla wax. – I’ve never used it but have read that it works in place of beeswax.