How to make healing salve with calendula and sunflower petals
Posted on by Jolene

EASY Anti-inflammatory Salve Anyone Can Make!

What is a basic salve recipe? There are many out there but with a basic recipe, you can create any combination you would like!

pinterest title page how to make a healing salve

Basic Salve Recipe

  1. Infuse any oil, such as olive or avocado, with anti-inflammatory herbs, such as calendula and/or sunflower petals. Let sit for 3-4 weeks, up to 6 weeks, shaking 1-2 times a day.
  2. Strain herbs out of petals with a cheese cloth or very fine strainer.
  3. In a double boiler, bring water to boil and add in 2oz of grated or chopped beeswax.
  4. Add in about 6oz of infused oil to the double boiler.
  5. Heat until fully mixed. Add in essential oils (optional).
  6. Pour into sterilized tins or glass jars.
  7. Let set for a few hours and put a lid on it with label.

Read on for more detailed instructions and photos!

OIL INFUSION

You can infuse any oil, such as olive or avocado, with anti-inflammatory herbs, such as calendula and/or sunflower petals. I really enjoy this avocado oil from Chosen Foods. Let the infusion sit on a shelf for 3-4 weeks but up to 6 weeks is best. Keep stored in a cool dark area, shaking 1-2 times per day.

Infused oil with calendula and sunflower petals from the summer garden.
Infused oil with calendula and sunflower petals from the summer garden.

PREP

Choose your container you want to put your end product in. I chose 1oz aluminum tins from Amazon which you can find here. These can be reused or recycled at the end of their life and easy to open and close. Make sure you sterilize whatever you want to use. Run them through a hot wash in the dishwasher or boil for 10 mins in a pot of boiling water and let air dry. It’s best to make sure the tins or jars are completely dry before you use them.

Sterilizing my 1oz tins for 10 minutes in boiling water.
Sterilizing my 1oz tins for 10 minutes in boiling water.

STRAIN

Next you will need to strain the herbs out of the oil but placing a small holed strainer over a bowl. You can use a cheese clothe if you have one on hand or you can even lay the cheesecloth over the strainer for a double strain. Let the oil fall into the bowl and compost the herbs.

Straining my herbs by pouring oil infusion over a strainer.
Straining my herbs by pouring oil infusion over a strainer.
There will still be oil after you let it sit for a few minutes. Use a potato masher to get the rest!
There will still be oil after you let it sit for a few minutes. Use a potato masher to get the rest!

MELTING

It’s time to melt the beeswax over the stove. For this, I like to use a double boiler. A simple glass bowl inside of a saucepan with water will work just fine. The idea is not to direct heat the beeswax as it can easily scorch in the bottom of the pan. I added about 2oz of grated local beeswax. If you grate the beeswax blocks (or purchase pellets) it will melt much faster.

The start of the slave melting process in a double boiler.
The start of the slave melting process in a double boiler.
If you use raw local beeswax like I do, the beeswax will look like a really dark amber color. Don't worry, it lightens up in the end when it has cooled again!
If you use raw local beeswax like I do, the beeswax will look like a really dark amber color. Don’t worry, it lightens up in the end when it has cooled again!

ADD-INS

You can add in your oil after your wax has melted. The beeswax will look un-melted for a bit while everything remelts and merges together. After you have melted everything 100%, remove from heat and stir in any essential oils you may want to add. Lavender oil is my favorite for healing salves. This finishes the salve recipe. Next it’s time to pour!

Add your oil in! It will look weird as the oil temporarily cools the beeswax before it melts it right back down. Time to add in your essential oils (optional).
Add your oil in! It will look weird as the oil temporarily cools the beeswax before it melts it right back down. Time to add in your essential oils (optional).

POUR

Time to pour your hot salve mixture in. I transferred the melted mixture into a small glass tea pot with a spout to reduce mess. Next, fill the tins or jars of your choice almost to the top. I prefer to leave just a tiny bit of head space especially if you are using a top that doesn’t have any additional space. My tins did have some extra space built into the top, so I could pour it to the tippy top with the salve mixture. Mason jars do not have this extra space, so you will want to leave just a bit of space so the lid fits on properly.

Pour hot salve into your tin or jar of choice. Be careful not to spill.
Pour hot salve into your tin or jar of choice. Be careful not to spill.
They should be about this full when you are done pouring them.
They should be about this full when you are done pouring them.

LET IT COOL

The smaller the container, the less amount of time it takes the salve to cool. Whichever you choose I suggest letting them cool for 12-24 hours before gifting to others. You can put a label on it or just write the ingredients / what it is on the top. You are all done!

When they cool off they will be lighter in color. I like to let them set for at least 12 hours before gifting them. If they are just for me, I will use them after about an hour.
When they cool off they will be lighter in color. I like to let them set for at least 12 hours before gifting them.
If they are just for me, I will use them after about an hour.

Christmas is just around the corner. These would make amazing handmade gifts for friends, families, neighbors, or even teachers!