Make Your Own Herbal Burn Salve: A Step-by-Step Recipe

Did you know that 73% of burns happen at home? That’s right, so today I’m going to walk you step-by-step through making an herbal burn salve recipe at home.  Salves, like this one, use oil and wax to create a thick, spreadable balm with no need for water to be added (which means no preservatives needed). You’ll want to use a balm to coat a burn because it creates a nice barrier from both germs and air.

This recipe and technique are a combination of several recipes I’ve made over the past decade, and we’ve been making this particular recipe and using it in our home (and my children’s homes and soon in my children’s children’s homes) for several years. It does a fabulous job of reducing or even eliminating the irritation of the burn almost immediately, but more importantly it soothes and gives the body the tools it needs to speed recovery.

Herbal salves are versatile and can be used for various purposes, such as soothing skin irritations, moisturizing dry skin, and promoting the healing of superficial cuts and scrapes. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating an effective burn and wound salve (we call it a cream) at home.

Burn Salve Ingredients

Herbs

(listed per recipe. I usually triple the recipe so that I have enough to share.)

   – 1 Tablespoon Calendula: For skin healing and soothing. Also has anti-bacterial properties.

– 1 Tablespoon Comfrey: Speeds cell regeneration for rapid recovery

   – 1 Tablespoon St John’s Wort: dulls the ouch quite well

   – 1 Tablespoon Chamomile: (optional) anti-biotic properties, immune system stimulant

– 3/4 teaspoon pure aloe vera powder: antimicrobial/antibiotic properties, anti-inflammatory, dulls ouch

Other Ingredients:

– 10,000 i.u. Vitamin E oil (can be found in small bottles or capsules. Just break the capsules open to use)

Carrier Oil

– 1 cup Avocado oil (my first choice, but I have also used olive oil with success)

Beeswax

– 1/4 cup shaved or crumbled bee’s wax. This will help solidify the oil and provide a protective layer on the skin.

Equipment:

– A double boiler OR a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water OR a crock pot

– A fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

– A heat-resistant container for storage (e.g., small tins or glass jars).

– A stirring utensil, such as a wooden spoon.

– measuring spoons

– shaving device for beeswax (if needed) (I use a vegetable peeler)

Burn Salve Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Infuse the Oil

First, Prepare the Herbs: If using fresh herbs, wash and dry them thoroughly. Chop them finely to increase the surface area for infusion. I typically use dry herbs for this. For these, you only need to measure them out according to the recipe,

Next, infuse the herbs: There are three common methods to infuse the oil:

   – Very Slow Method (Solar Infusion): Fill a jar about two-thirds full with dried herbs. Cover the herbs with your chosen carrier oil, ensuring they are fully submerged. Seal the jar and place it in a sunny window for 4-6 weeks, shaking it regularly.

– The Overnight Method (Crock Pot): ONLY DO THIS IN A FULL SIZE CROCK POT IF YOU ARE DOUBLING OR TRIPLING THE RECIPE. Otherwise it will dry out and burn. Alternatively, you can use one of the smaller slow cookers or crock pots. To do so, place oil in the crockpot first, then add herbs and vitamin E and stir. Turn crockpot to “low” for 1-2 hours, then reduce to warm overnight.

   – Quick Method: Combine the herbs and carrier oil in a double boiler. Heat gently for 2-3 hours, ensuring the mixture does not boil. The goal is to slowly draw out the properties of the herbs into the oil.

If your beeswax is not already crumbled or shaved, do that now.

As you can see by the photo, my little familiar Sophie is inspecting my work.

Step 2: Strain the Oil

Once your oil is infused (and cooled a bit if using the quick method), strain it through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the herbal material, capturing the infused oil in a clean container. It’s safe to throw the leftover herbs into your compost pile.

Step 3: Create the Salve

1. Measure the Ingredients: For every cup of infused oil, you will need approximately 1/4 cup of shaved beeswax.

2. Combine the Oil and Beeswax: Slowly add your beeswax to the still very warm infused oil, stirring constantly to ensure the wax melts and they blend fully. (If you allowed your oil to cool completely, melt the beeswax first, then add to the oil.)

3. Test the Consistency: To test the salve’s consistency, fill a spoon with the mixture and place it in the freezer for a minute or two. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax. If it’s too hard, add a bit more oil.

Step 4: Pour and Cool

Carefully pour the mixture into your storage containers while it’s still warm. Allow the salve to cool and solidify completely before sealing the containers. I like to use these amber containers for gift-giving.

Step 5: Label and Store

Label your containers including the date of preparation. Optional: you can list the ingredients if you are giving these away. This way your recipients can check for known allergens.

Store your salve in a cool, dark place where it can last for a year or more, but if you notice any change in color, texture, or scent, it’s best to make a fresh batch.

Herbal Burn Salve Usage Tips

– Use very clean hands or a clean utensil to scoop the salve out of the container in order to prevent contamination.

– Test a small amount on skin before widespread use to ensure the user does not have an allergic reaction.

– Apply as needed to soothe skin

Enjoy! Let me know if you made it and how it came out. Were there any parts of these instructions that weren’t clear? Please let me know that, too. Blessed be!