A great all purpose salve that you can add your choice of essential oil to in order to best meet your needs. This is not a complicated recipe and it is easily customizable, making it perfect for those applications when a simple carrier isn’t right for you. We use this basic all purpose salve recipe at my house for all manner of issues from diaper rash to first aid. I use a mix of coconut oil.
What you’ll need:
- 1/2 cup oil; such as coconut oil, almond oil, or an herbal infused oil
- 4 TBSP beeswax pearls
- essential oils {see recipe ideas below}
What you’ll do:
- Measure your oil and beeswax into a half pint jar. Place the metal band from the jar in the bottom of a pan of water. Then place your half pint jar on it. I have had jars crack sitting on the bottom of the pot, so I now use this method to reduce the risk of cracking.
- Melt the oils with the beeswax, stirring occasionally.
- 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. Leaving the salve set until fully cooled will ensure a smooth final finish on top!
Recipe ideas:
- Skin Healing Salve: Sandalwood, Lavender and/or Roman Chamomile or Soothe (KidSafe = Skin Soother)
- Moisturizing Salve: Palmarosa and/or Lavender or Soft Skin Synergy (Kid Safe = Silky Soft)
- Heel/Foot Salve: Patchouli and Lavender or Peppermint
- Chest Congestion Salve: Rosalina, Palmarosa and/or Cedarwood
- Muscle Salve: Marjoram and/or Pine or Muscle Aid
Here’s a tip: I make a large batch of this and leave it without essential oils, then when I need some for a specific purpose I will remelt and pour off into small, 1 ounce, tins. This allows me to customize without having large quantities hanging around!
I hope you find this salve as useful as I do! As always, if you have specific questions or concerns please get in touch with us. You can email our Certified Aromatherapists at [email protected] anytime. We’re happy to help!
I’ve been searching all day for this post and I finally found it!
I can’t wait to try this once I have my beeswax
If you are doing a batch of different salves, could you add the EOs to the tin and then add in the liquid salve?
As long as you mix well after pouring in your liquid, this would be fine. Just make sure that the dilution is based on the tin size and not the overall batch.
Can I use hemp oil for the carrier oil?
You sure can!
What oils do you recommend adding to this for a pain salve?
Amy, try adding some of the tried-and-true oils for relieving discomfort, like Lavender and Chamomile!
I want to make a salve for fist time and I only have natural beeswax from local bee keeper. How can I convert 4 TBSP beeswax pearls into oz or grams?
I would like to know as well. I get my beeswax from a local bee farmer.
Love the recipe ideas! I got my oils a week ago and been having fun looking up all the great things I can use them for!
I made this today, but it was very thick. Is there anything I can use to make it thinner, even thin enough to be used with a pump? Thanks.
Susan, any recipe including beeswax will be too thick or hard to use with a pump. You can use just the carrier oil and blend your desired oils into that, then use in a pump. It will not have the solid consistency like a salve, but instead will be like using body oil.
I’m going to use this basic salve recipe to make a CBD oil salve with the addition of camphor, copaiba and turmeric EO’s. Thanks!
Is this greasy when you use it? I’m looking to make something for my hands but I can’t use anything greasy while at work. If it rubs in like lotion I’m ok though.
Kerrie, this should not be greasy because it contains beeswax, which will harden the product up. If you’d like a lotion though, simply blend your chosen essential oils with our Olive Lotion. I’m going to link our dilution recommendations in case you want to do some experimenting with the lotion and oils: https://blog.planttherapy.com/blog/2018/09/11/how-to-dilute-essential-oils-a-comprehensive-guide/
I was reading in the comments trying to find the answers for acouple questions pertaining to this recipe. If we want to make up a big batch and store it I seen Christina said it will last 6-12 months. If we have it in a amber glass jar should this be kept in the refrigerator till we need it or is it fine in my normal cabinet as long as it is a cool dry place?
It should be just fine in a cool, dry place, but the fridge is always the preferred option if that’s a possibility 🙂
I followed a recipe on the video channel for the better than kisses version of this recipe which was 9 drops of EO. I have copaiba and was wondering if I wanted to incorporate it into the recipe would I just adjust and amount of the better than kisses synergy and sub those drops with Copaiba? I’m still trying to understand dilution better and I want to be safe.
That sounds like a great idea! You’re right on track, Cat 🙂
Just found this, super easy and great for so many uses and ideas! Awesome!!
This is exactly what I would like to do. Instead of making one big batch for something I won’t be using it very often for. My only question is when I want to break it down again for separate recipes into the 1 oz tins, how do I know how many drops of essential oils to use? Or do I just proceed the regular way such as if I’m doing a 2% dilution, I would use 18 drops for the 1oz tin correct?
That’s absolutely right, Toni!
Is this a good recipe for eczema?
Tiana, the recipe is great to support all kinds of skin issues, but if you would like more specific information, contact our aromatherapists at [email protected].
Just ordered some supplies to make this! I plan on making a sniffle stopper salve, a skin soother salve and a calming the child salve 🙂 Thank you!
Could this recipe be put in tubes for a stick salve?
Absolutely, Amber! That would be a great idea 🙂
can I use a mix of carrier oils(coconut and something else?)
thank you in advance
Looking forward to gradually having a more naturalized first aid set up.
I am going to make some of this this afternoon, but veganized a bit by using candelilla wax (half the amount of beeswax) thanks for sharing an easy recipe!
I made several of these salves; very easy and best of all, they work so well!! I find that mine mix better if I melt the beeswax first and then add the oil and stir until it is clear. Then I add essential oils.
Thank you for this, it sounds so simple (which I always appreciate!). I have a few options for oils: coconut, olive, or sweet almond, or cocoa or shea butter. Would one be better than the others to avoid staining clothes, or for enhancing the effectiveness of the EO blend? I’m planning to make a pain relief blend for pregnancy related SPD.
I personally have had no issues with my salves staining my clothes, and I’ve used all of the above.
What is the shelf life for this salve?
I saw that an earlier comment said 6 – 12 months when properly stored. 🙂
Can I ask what the weight of the wax would be as my wax comes in 10 gram tablets. Would love to have a go at making this. Thanks
Measured out, it’s about 33 grams.
Instead of using muscle aid essential oil, can we replace it with sore no more (kidsafe), so that it can be used for both adult and children?
Absolutely!
Is the coconut oil fractionated or solid for this salve?
Can’t wait to try this! Thanks
Can we add shea butter?
You can use shea butter, however you may want to reduce the amount the of carrier oil to 1/4 or 1/3 cup.
Why is the final texture of this supposed to be? Like Vaseline? Solid?
Hi Allison! Yes, it will be solid like Vaseline. It does absorb fairly easily though, and leaves your skin feeling wonderfully smooth.
I made this and have been using it “naked”. It is amazing just like that for chapped skin.
For this recipe, 1/2 cup oil and 4 tbsp wax….how many drops of oil for this? I do not know how many ounces that is. THANK YOU!
Hi Jessie! This is roughly 5 ounces of finished product, so you can use up to 9 drops of essential oil per ounce or a total of 45 drops.
How many Oz of salve does this recipe make ?
I haven’t weighed it but I believe it would be 6 ounces.
What is the consistency of this salve? About like Vaseline (R) or more stiff
Trying to figure my oil/butter ration. Thanks
Good question!
how many drops of oils are suggested? I’m thinking of using the A+ Attention in a salve but I don’t know how many drops to use.
That depends on how much salve you are making. Check out this post for more help on proper dilutions: https://www.planttherapy.com/blog/2015/08/10/how-to-read-the-dilution-chart/
What kind of containers should be used? Can plastic be used?
Plastic is fine, look for HDPE, PET or PETE markings on the bottom! 🙂 You’ll need to melt your wax/oils in a glass container!
4 tbs of beeswax pearls would equal how many ounces approx? (I have a block of beeswax)
Has anyone done a weight conversion for the wax? 4TBS = how many grams or ounces by weight?
I just got out my scale and it’s 32 grams or 1.1 ounces. Since they are pellets and settle differently with each scoop I would say 1 ounce would be a good alternative to 4TBS. I hope this helps!
I saw that in the recipe. Let me rephrase my question. How many ounces does this recipe yield? Thanks!
This is about 4 – 5 ounces of salve (depending on how much beeswax you end up using)
Is there a blog post where you talk about the herb infused oils you mention in this post?
No, we haven’t covered that yet – but you can find lots of information just by googling “infused oils”
What is the proper dilution of essential oils?
Depends on your use, but generally 9 drops per ounce of salve (mentioned in the recipe)
How many ounces of salve do you end up with using the recipe as written? I usually measure my coconut oil and beeswax in tbsp so I can add the suggested amount of oils on the side of the bottle based on that.
Once you make a batch, what is the shelf life? I would love to make some for congestion, but would rather have it premade if possible.
I use mine faster than it could possibly go “bad”. I would say, stored properly, it would be good for 6-12 months
will it last longer if we put few drops of vitamin e Christina?
i like to use my stainless steel mixing bowl as the top of my double boiler to melt my oils and wax. then i pour into my glass storage containers once everything is combined. this way, there is no chance of breaking a jar during the melting process.
You could also use a pyrex measuring cup to melt down the ingredients instead of a jar. I always use my measuring cups and haven’t had any problems with cracking.
THANK YOU for the tip to prevent cracking jars! I’ve had two crack in three months and was starting to get annoyed ☺
Love this!! Christmas Gifts idea!