Simple Calendula & Lavender Herbal Salve
Makes approximately two 2-ounce tins
You'll need:
1/2 cup calendula-infused oil
1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax pellets
1 teaspoon shea butter
1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil
10–12 drops lavender essential oil, optional
Two clean 2-ounce tins or small jars
Step 1: Start With Calendula-Infused Oil
If you don't already have infused oil prepared, place dried calendula flowers in a clean, dry jar and completely cover them with your chosen carrier oil (or you can buy one from us- found here: Apothecary Herb Infusions | Rosemary & Cedar Botanicals — Rosemary & Cedar Botanicals
For a traditional slow infusion, keep the covered jar in a cool, dark place for about four to six weeks, periodically moving or gently shaking the jar. When the infusion is finished, thoroughly strain out the plant material and transfer the oil into a clean, dry container.
Berry describes this same general slow-infusion approach and recommends dried plant material for beginners because reducing moisture helps decrease the risk of bacterial or mold growth in the finished oil (Berry, 2020).
You could use jojoba, olive, sunflower, or another skin-friendly carrier oil depending on the feel you want in your finished salve. Different oils absorb at different rates, so your choice affects more than the infusion itself—it also changes how rich or lightweight the finished product feels (Berry, 2020).
Step 2: Melt the Oil, Beeswax, and Shea Butter
Add the calendula-infused oil, beeswax, and shea butter to a heat-safe glass container.
Place the container into a saucepan containing a few inches of water to create a simple double boiler.
Warm everything gently until the beeswax and shea butter are completely melted.
Avoid heating the oils more than necessary.
Step 3: Check the Consistency
Before pouring the entire batch, place a small spoonful on a cool plate and allow it to firm up for a minute or two.
Test the texture.
Want it firmer? Add a little more beeswax.
Want it softer and easier to spread? Add a little more infused oil.
This is one of the most useful things to learn when making salves because there really isn't one perfect consistency for every product. Berry similarly explains that increasing wax produces a firmer salve, while increasing oil creates a softer consistency (Berry, 2020).
Step 4: Add the Finishing Ingredients
Remove the mixture from the heat and allow it to cool slightly.
Stir in the vitamin E and, if you're using it, the lavender essential oil.
Essential oils are concentrated, so don't assume that more is better. Berry's guide recommends relatively low dilution levels for everyday salves and emphasizes considering the intended use of the product when deciding how much essential oil to include (Berry, 2020).
Step 5: Pour and Cool
Carefully pour the warm salve into clean, dry tins.
Leave them uncovered until completely cool and firm.
Once cooled, add the lids, label them with the ingredients and date, and store them somewhere cool and dry.
And that's it—you've made an herbal salve.
Want to Experiment?
Once you understand the basic process, this is where herbal formulation gets fun.
You can change the:
Herb — calendula, rose, rosemary, plantain, chamomile, arnica and others all bring different traditional uses.
Carrier oil — jojoba creates a different skin feel than olive or sunflower oil.
Wax amount — more for a firm balm, less for something softer.
Botanical additions — shea butter, vitamin E, or specialty carrier oils can further change the finished product.
Essential oils — when appropriate, carefully selected essential oils can add aroma and additional characteristics to a formulation.
Berry's overall approach is essentially to begin with the purpose of the salve and then choose herbs, carrier oils, infusion methods, and optional essential oils that support that purpose rather than simply combining ingredients at random (Berry, 2020).
A Few Safety Notes
Always work with clean, completely dry equipment when making oil-based products.
Use dried herbs for beginner oil infusions, particularly when you aren't experienced in safely working with fresh plant material.
Patch test new topical products before using them over a large area.
Essential oils should be appropriately diluted, and individual oils may have additional precautions. Berry also notes that pregnancy, nursing, medication use, and certain health conditions can require additional consideration when using essential oils.
And remember: natural doesn't automatically mean risk-free. Learning how an ingredient should be used is just as important as knowing what plant it came from.
Giving Credit Where It's Due
A large part of the educational information in this article was inspired by Jan Berry's Build Your Own Herbal Salves. Her guide goes much deeper into choosing herbs, carrier oils, absorption rates, infusion methods, essential oil dilution, and formulation.
If salve making interests you, I definitely recommend checking out her work through The Nerdy Farm Wife - DIY Herbal Recipes, Soap Making & Body Care Projects
Berry, J. (2020). Build your own herbal salves. The Nerdy Farm Wife.
