Herbal salves are a fantastic way to nourish your skin naturally. They are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for addressing a variety of skin concerns. Salves are typically a combination of healing herbs, oils, and beeswax, offering deep moisturization and powerful therapeutic benefits. These homemade salves can soothe, heal, and protect your skin without relying on chemicals or synthetic ingredients.

In this article, we will explore 10 herbal salve recipes that are simple to prepare and beneficial for various skin types and issues. From soothing dry skin to healing cuts and scrapes, these herbal salves will enhance your natural skin care routine.

1. Lavender and Chamomile Calming Salve

Lavender and chamomile are well-known for their calming properties. This salve is perfect for irritated, sensitive, or inflamed skin. It also helps relieve itching from bug bites or rashes.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. Infuse the olive oil with lavender and chamomile by simmering the dried herbs in oil for about 1-2 hours over low heat.
2. Strain the oil and return it to the pot.
3. Add beeswax to the oil and heat until melted.
4. Remove from heat and stir in lavender essential oil.
5. Pour the mixture into jars and let it cool completely before sealing.

2. Calendula Healing Salve

Calendula is a powerful herb that has been used for centuries to heal cuts, scrapes, and burns. This healing salve is ideal for treating minor wounds, dry skin, and eczema.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dried calendula flowers
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 5-10 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Infuse coconut oil with calendula by simmering for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the infused oil and heat it with beeswax until fully melted.
3. Remove from heat, add lavender essential oil (if using), and pour into jars.
4. Allow the salve to cool before use.

3. Comfrey and Plantain Skin Repair Salve

Comfrey and plantain are two herbs known for their ability to promote skin regeneration and heal minor injuries. This salve is excellent for cuts, scrapes, bruises, and sunburns.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried comfrey leaves
• 1/4 cup dried plantain leaves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 5 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Infuse the olive oil with comfrey and plantain for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the oil, then melt beeswax into the infused oil.
3. Stir in the tea tree essential oil (if desired) and pour into containers.
4. Let it cool and store in a dark place.

4. Peppermint and Eucalyptus Muscle Relief Salve

This salve is perfect for soothing sore muscles and relieving tension. Peppermint and eucalyptus are both cooling herbs that help relax the muscles and reduce inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried peppermint leaves
• 1/4 cup dried eucalyptus leaves
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 10 drops eucalyptus essential oil

Instructions:

1. Infuse the coconut oil with peppermint and eucalyptus for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the oil, melt beeswax, and mix it with the infused oil.
3. Add the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils.
4. Pour into jars and let it set.

5. Arnica and St. John’s Wort Pain Relief Salve

Arnica and St. John’s Wort are known for their pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. This salve can be used to treat bruises, muscle aches, and sprains.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried arnica flowers
• 1/4 cup dried St. John’s Wort flowers
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 5 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Infuse the olive oil with arnica and St. John’s Wort for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain and melt the beeswax into the infused oil.
3. Stir in lavender essential oil (if using).
4. Pour into jars and allow it to cool.

6. Tea Tree and Coconut Oil Antifungal Salve

Tea tree oil has strong antifungal properties and is perfect for treating fungal infections like athlete’s foot, toenail fungus, or ringworm. This salve helps prevent and soothe these issues naturally.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 10-15 drops tea tree essential oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions:

1. Melt coconut oil and beeswax together in a double boiler.
2. Remove from heat and stir in tea tree and lavender essential oils.
3. Pour into small jars and let the salve cool.

7. Rosemary and Lavender Dry Skin Salve

This salve is deeply moisturizing and is perfect for dry, cracked skin. Rosemary stimulates circulation, while lavender helps calm and heal dry, irritated areas.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried rosemary
• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

1. Infuse olive oil with rosemary and lavender for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the oil and melt beeswax into the oil.
3. Add lavender essential oil and pour into jars.
4. Let it cool and use it as a deep moisturizer.

8. Frankincense and Myrrh Scar Healing Salve

Frankincense and myrrh have been prized for centuries for their healing properties. This salve helps reduce scars, stretch marks, and uneven skin texture.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax
• 10 drops frankincense essential oil
• 10 drops myrrh essential oil

Instructions:

1. Melt the coconut oil and beeswax together.
2. Stir in the frankincense and myrrh essential oils.
3. Pour the mixture into jars and allow it to cool before use.

9. Jewelweed and Plantain Poison Ivy Relief Salve

Jewelweed is a traditional remedy for treating poison ivy rashes and soothing skin irritation. Combined with plantain, this salve provides immediate relief from itching and inflammation.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried jewelweed
• 1/4 cup dried plantain leaves
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax

Instructions:

1. Infuse olive oil with jewelweed and plantain for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the oil and melt beeswax into it.
3. Pour into containers and let it cool.

10. Yarrow and Lavender Healing Salve

Yarrow has been used for centuries to heal wounds and cuts. This salve, combined with lavender, helps speed up healing and soothes skin irritations.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup dried yarrow flowers
• 1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons beeswax

Instructions:

1. Infuse olive oil with yarrow and lavender for 1-2 hours.
2. Strain the oil, melt the beeswax, and combine.
3. Pour into jars and allow it to cool.

How to Store Your Herbal Salves

To get the most out of your herbal salves, store them in a cool, dark place in airtight containers. This will prevent them from melting in warmer weather and extend their shelf life.

Conclusion

Making your own herbal salves is a simple and rewarding way to incorporate natural skin care into your daily routine. These salves offer a variety of benefits, from moisturizing and healing to soothing inflammation and irritation. Customize them with your favorite herbs and oils, and enjoy the nourishing benefits for your skin!