The Forest Apothecary serves as an ecclectic online compilation of some of my herbal recipes, plant ponderings and insights.

I hope you find my notes here useful and enjoyable.

~ Green Blessings ~

Herbal Salves & Balms


Once you've created some beautiful herbal infused oils, it's quite simple to make a healing herbal salve or balm. General rule of thumb is to combine approx. 4 oz. of an herbal infused oil to 1 oz. of beeswax. Here is an easy recipe to use as a basis for creating your own herbal salve. This one is perfect for soothing minor scrapes, cuts and burns.

Materials: Small pyrex measuring cup, small sauce pan (large enough for pyrex measuring cup to fit inside), herbal infused oil of calendula, lavender essential oil (optional), vitamine e (optional), 1 oz. of beeswax (virgin unbleached preferred).

Directions: In a self-devised double boiler (glass pyrex measuring cup sitting in water in sauce pan) slowly melt 4 oz. of calendula infused oil with 1 oz. beeswax, stirring well. Once combined and melted, test consistency by drizzling small amount onto a dish. If too soft add a bit more beeswax, too brittle add a bit more of your oil. Results here can vary according to weather and the hardness of your wax. In summer months you'll probably need to add more beeswax. Carefully remove your pyrex cup from pan (cup will be hot, so please use caution). Set aside, stir a bit more and add about 15 drops of lavender essential oil, and if desired about 4 drops vitamin e. Pour into jars, and allow to cool completely before capping. That's it, you have just created a natural herbal salve!

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