DIY Healing Salve Recipe for Simple Cuts and Burns (2024)

By Stacy Williams

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These days, something such as a simple cut or burn could quickly become infected if you weren’t able to find the right OTC medicine to help with it. Store shelves are often empty right now and even something as simple as Neosporin can be hard to find. The answer to the problem of empty shelves it to make more at home so you don’t need to buy it. Things like this healing salve are just one of those things you can make at home.

DIY Healing Salve Recipe for Simple Cuts and Burns (1)

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This recipe for a healing salve is perfect for simple cuts, scrapes and simple burns. We’ve used it in our home since around 2015 and it has never failed me.

It whips up in a pinch and is a great addition to any holistic medicine cabinet.

Or when the store is out and you need something quickly.

DIY Healing Salve

The ingredients in this healing salve recipe- lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil – both have been shown to have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Lemon essential oil is shown to be disinfectant as well.

Witch hazel has been known to reduce inflammation and be antiviral and Lavender is thought to reduce pain slightly as well.

These are all great for healing those minor injuries that happen.

But what really makes this healing salve so amazing is that you can take the base salve recipe and boost it however you want.

Herbs such as Comfrey like THIS and Calendula like THIS are great additions to a healing salve recipe and both come in their dried form as well as liquid forms.

How to Make a Healing Salve

At the end of this tutorial, I will give you a few additions and their properties so you can decide if you would like to add them or not.

The additions not only change what the base use for this healing salve is used for, but can also help to promote healing in other ways.

How to Preserve DIY Healing Salve

This recipe for healing salve will be good on a shelf for up to 8 weeks. However, if you would like to preserve it so it’s shelf stable for up to 6 months, you can do so by adding a few drops of vitamin E oil like THIS to your mixture below.

Vitamin E oil is often used as a preservative in homemade beauty products and other DIY products.

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You Will Need:

Supplies Needed:

Add the coconut oil, beeswax and almond oil to a double boiler and fully melt it over low heat. Make sure to stir it constantly with the rubber spatula so it does not burn.

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You’ll also want to make sure to scrape down the sides as needed.

If you do not have a double boiler, you can use a small metal bowl set on top of a small pot filled halfway with simmering water.

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Once they are fully melted, pour them into a mixing bowl and allow it to cool for 30 to 60 seconds.

You don’t want it “just off the stove” hot, but you also do not want to allow it to cool so much it solidifies.

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Once the mixture has cooled a bit, add the witch hazel and 12 drops of each essential oil.

Then, using the electric mixer, beat the mixture until it is a creamy texture that you are comfortable with.

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As it cools, it will become more of a solid cream instead of a runny mess.

If you used 2 tbsp. beeswax, your final result will be more of a creamy texture. If you used 3 tbsp., it will have more of a solid ointment texture.

Once you’ve reached the consistency you are happy with, pour the mixture into a 4 oz lotion jar or a 4 oz jelly jar.

Set it aside and allow it to cool completely.

Should I Put a Lid On My Homemade Beauty Product Immediately?

When you make this healing slave recipe, do not add a lid on the finished product until it is fully cool.

Adding a lid to a hot product could cause condensation to form on the inside of the lid. This can promote mold growth or ruin your finished product.

How to Use a Homemade Healing Salve

To use this healing salve, massage a small amount onto the affected area. If needed, coer with a bandage.

Reapply every 6-8 hours or as needed.

What herbs and essential oils can I add to this recipe for healing salve?

If you want to increase the properties of this recipe for a healing salve, you can add the followng when you add the essential oils.

Be sure to add them before you mix the ingredients so they will be evenly distributed.

Comfrey – promotes skin healing due to allantoin and rosmarinic acid in the leaves that promote new skin cell growth. May be antiviral as well.

CalendulaHas anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Good for soothing minor cuts, aches and pains.

Peppermint essential oil – soothes sore muscles. Great for arthritis and general aches and pains. Also, good for use for headaches and upset tummies.

Eucalyptus Essential OilPerfect for adding to help relieve chest congestion and coughs.

Looking for more DIY products to make and stop buying? You may enjoy these:

If you’re tired of store bought deodorant, this homemade deodorant recipe is just what you need! This lavender scented homemade deodorant is super easy to make and works better than anything in the store!

If you like the smell of lilac, you will love this lilac perfume! Learn how to make lilac perfume in just a few minutes! It smells so good you won’t want to wear anything else!

Graham crackers make a great snack and this homemade graham cracker recipe is the best! Learn how to make homemade graham crackers in just minutes! They’re perfect for snacks, Smores, holiday baking and even pie crusts! You’ll never go back to store bought again!

DIY Healing Salve Recipe for Simple Cuts and Burns (9)

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DIY Healing Salve Recipe

Cuts, scratches and simple burns don't stand a chance against this DIY healing salve. Made with antibacterial and antiviral ingredients, it's perfect for your holistic medicine cabinet.

Course DIY Home Remedies

Cuisine American

Keyword Lavender Oil, Lemon Essential Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Cooling Time 1 hour hour

Total Time 1 hour hour 10 minutes minutes

Servings 4 ounces

Author Stacy Williams

Cost $1.50

Equipment

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the coconut oil, beeswax and almond oil to a double boiler and fully melt it over low heat. Make sure to stir it constantly with the rubber spatula so it does not burn.

  • Once they are fully melted, pour them into a mixing bowl and allow it to cool for 30 to 60 seconds.

  • Once the mixture has cooled a bit, add the witch hazel and 12 drops of each essential oil. If you are adding additions or Vitamin E oil to preserve, add them now.

    Then, using the electric mixer, beat the mixture until it is a creamy texture that you are comfortable with.

  • Once you’ve reached the consistency you are happy with, pour the mixture into a 4 oz lotion jar or a 4 oz jelly jar.

Notes

Possible Additions for Your Healing Salve

Comfrey– promotes skin healing due to allantoin and rosmarinic acid in the leaves that promote new skin cell growth. May be antiviral as well.

CalendulaHas anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Good for soothing minor cuts, aches and pains.

Peppermint essential oil– soothes sore muscles. Great for arthritis and general aches and pains. Also, good for use for headaches and upset tummies.

Eucalyptus Essential OilPerfect for adding to help relieve chest congestion and coughs.

DIY Healing Salve Recipe for Simple Cuts and Burns (2024)

FAQs

How do you make homemade burn salve? ›

Simply mix the lavender oil, honey and olive oil together and put in a glass jar. To use it, slather it over the burn, and cover it the injury site with dressing or bandage. That's it!

How do you make healing salve at home? ›

  1. 4 cups Olive Oil ( I buy the big jar of olive oil at Costco)
  2. 1 1/4 cup Dried Herbs (I use 1/2 cup calendula, 1/2 cup plantain, 1/4 cup comfrey leaf)
  3. 4 – 6 oz Bees Wax (depending how thick you want it)
  4. 1 Tablespoon Vitamin E Oil (helps salve from going rancid)

How do you thicken homemade salve? ›

For instance, if your salve is too hard, melt it down and stir in more carrier oil until you reach the desired consistency. Conversely, if your salve is too runny, add more beeswax or hard butter (e.g., cocoa butter) to thicken it up.

What oil is best for homemade salve? ›

Herb-infused oil

Plain, high-quality carrier oils like sweet almond, olive or jojoba oil will nourish and moisturize skin on their own. However, you could also infuse dried herbs in oil before making salve to combine the healing and therapeutic benefits of both!

What is the best homemade ointment for burns? ›

Aloe vera gel

Applying aloe vera gel to the burned area can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation. This natural remedy is known for its skin-repairing properties and can stimulate healing in the affected area. For maximum effectiveness, use pure aloe vera gel rather than products containing added ingredients.

How do you make salve for wounds? ›

Warm oil in double boiler. Add beeswax and stir until melted. Test the consistency of your salve by dipping a clean spoon into the mixture, and putting it in the freezer for a few minutes. If it's softer than you'd like, add more beeswax.

How do you make natural antibiotic salve? ›

Melt coconut oil and beeswax over a double boiler. Transfer to a blender and add witch hazel, lavender oil, and tea tree oil. Blend 30 seconds. Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

What is the difference between a balm and a salve? ›

Salves tend to be more oily and thinner in consistency, while balms are more thick and waxy. Salves can be better for moisturizing dry skin or treating specific conditions, while balms are better at sealing in moisture and creating a barrier against environmental irritants for general skincare.

How do you make moisturizing salve? ›

4 Homemade Salve and Balm Recipes
  1. 1/4 cup of chopped beeswax. 1 tablespoon olive oil. 2 tablespoons coconut oil. ...
  2. 4 tablespoons of organic cold-pressed virgin coconut oil. 3 tablespoons of rosehip or any essential oil. 4 capsules of vitamin E. ...
  3. 65 grams of distilled water. 1 gram colloidal oatmeal.
Feb 5, 2024

Why is my homemade salve grainy? ›

After a butter is melted, it can develop tiny crystals as it cools and sets. These crystals usually melt again on skin contact. While they don't detract from the butter's beneficial properties, the gritty texture they create is usually undesirable.

Why is my salve cracking? ›

IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT? No! Cracks form naturally on the surface of the salve as it cools, especially in our glass jars. Droplets can form when the salve is stored at warm temperatures in transit, and evaporation takes place.

How do you make all-purpose salve? ›

Ingredients: 5oz Avocado Oil (divided into 4 and 1oz) 1.25oz Shea Butter 1.25oz Coconut Oil 1 Ounce Beeswax 1/4 Cup St. John's Wort 1/4 Cup Echinacea (herb/leaves) 1/4 Cup Calendula Flower 1/2 Tsp Lavender Essential Oil Making the all-purpose salve: Add all herbs into a clean jar and top with 4oz of the avocado oil.

What is the best ratio for salve? ›

How Much Wax and oil do You need?
  • As a best practice a 1:4 or 1:5 ratio works best for a salve.
  • The more wax, the harder it will be, the more fixed oil, the “looser” it will be.
  • I do not recommend going lower than 1:4 or higher than 1:6 (this is my preference).

How long do homemade salves last? ›

It's easy to adjust the consistency of a salve by adding a bit more oil to make it more spreadable or 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. Refrigerated, they'll keep for a year or more.

How many drops of essential oil to add to salve? ›

Once the oils and wax are melted, carefully remove to a space on the counter. I lay out a dish towel to protect the counter. Stir in your essential oils, using up to 9 drops total per ounce of salve. Allow the salve to cool, with the lid on so the oils don't evaporate out.

What are the ingredients in burn ointment? ›

Water, Stearic Acid, Lauramide DEA, Beeswax, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Tetraborate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Triethanolamine, Eucalyptus Oil.

What is the best natural thing to put on a burn? ›

Aloe vera is often touted as the “burn plant.” Studies show evidence that aloe vera is effective in healing first- to second-degree burns. Aloe is anti-inflammatory, promotes circulation, and inhibits the growth of bacteria.

What is a homemade salve for sunburns? ›

Simply combine organic coconut oil, aloe vera gel, and lavender and peppermint essential oils to make this all-natural, child safe soothing sunburn healer that will cool and re-freshen your sore skin. Definitely keep this summer must have handy!

What are the ingredients in burn relief? ›

Principal Display Panel - Pouch Label
Active Ingredient/Active Moiety
Ingredient NameBasis of StrengthStrength
Lidocaine Hydrochloride (UNII: V13007Z41A) (Lidocaine - UNII:98PI200987)Lidocaine Hydrochloride Anhydrous20 mg in 1 g

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