When you have little ones in the house, there seems to be an endless supply off boo-boos, bug bites, and itchy skin. I like to keep things very simple, which is why I really love essential oils. I have, literally, traded so many products over to a very minimalistic shelf with essential oils and some other holistic remedies.
This all-purpose salve is good for so many things. The coconut oil and olive oil bring nourishment, while the beeswax is known to lock in moisture, foster cells, and protect skin from damaging environmental factors. For children, the BEST two essential oils to have on hand are melaleuca and lavender.
Melaleuca (tea tree oil) is renowned for it’s cleansing and rejuvenating effect on the skin. Lavender is known as a universal oil that is extremely beneficial to helping many conditions. Combine these two together and you have a powerful weapon to aid in relief.
This salve is cloth diaper safe and newborn-safe. The essential oil dosages in this recipe do not exceed the recommendations for a newborn. I highly recommend using a very safe essential oils with therapeutic benefits like these. Keep this salve on hand for ANYTHING!
All Purpose Healing Salve
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil (where to buy)
- 1/2 cup of Olive Oil (where to buy)
- 1/4 Cup of Beeswax (where to buy online) – but find a local beekeeper! I got a 1 lb block for $6.99 at a local co-op!
- 1 Cup of Calendula Flowers (where to buy online) – I got it for $.50 at a local co-op!
- 15 drops of Melaleuca (add 10 drops more for children over 10)
- 15 drops of Lavender (add 10 drops more for children over 10)
DIRECTIONS:
- Put the coconut oil and olive oil in a double boiler. Melt the coconut oil if it isn’t melted already.
- Add the calendula flower petals (dried) and simmer on low for around 2 hours. Make sure to stir a few times during the process. You can also add the oil and calendula to a crockpot and put on low for up to 3 hours.
- Strain the mixture into a bowl through a cheesecloth.
- Now add the calendula oil back to the saucepan and add the beeswax. Melt the beeswax.
- Remove from heat and let cool for around 15 minutes.
- Add the essential oils and stir.
- Pour into a glass jar and store for up to a year! Makes 1 cup!
- 1/2 cup of Coconut Oil
- 1/2 cup of Olive Oil
- 1/4 Cup of Beeswax
- 1 Cup of Calendula Flowers
- 15 drops of Melaleuca (add 10 drops more for children over 10)
- 15 drops of Lavender (add 10 drops more for children over 10)
- Put the coconut oil and olive oil in a double boiler. Melt the coconut oil if it isn’t melted already.
- Add the calendula flower petals (dried) and simmer on low for around 2 hours. Make sure to stir a few times during the process. You can also add the oil and calendula to a crockpot and put on low for up to 3 hours.
- Strain the mixture into a bowl through a cheesecloth.
- Now add the calendula oil back to the saucepan and add the beeswax. Melt the beeswax.
- Remove from heat and let cool for around 15 minutes.
- Add the essential oils and stir.
- Pour into a glass jar and store for up to a year! Makes 1 cup!
- Source for therapeutic grade essential oils: www.thepaleomama.com/essential-oils
thanks for sharing
Looks like value for money too, thanks:)
I have Calendula oil here I got from an herb store. Could I use that instead of the actual calendula flowers?
Thanks!
I want to know this too…
I want to know also.
I think that would be ok. 🙂
I’m allergic to beeswax, so I’m wondering if I could use cocoa butter bars instead and melt them in place of beeswax??
I’m not too sure. I’ve never used cocoa butter in place of beeswax.
Use candelilla wax! You use half as much candelilla as you would beeswax. So, in this case, 1/8 cup.
The beeswax is just holding it together a bit better (I’m sure it has good powers too, but the oils seem to be the major working part of this recipe, much like my homemade suntan lotion) so you could just go without it and you’ll just find it more susceptible to the heat (i.e. it’ll melt into an oil if your house is warm! You could keep it in the fridge to keep it in a solid state as coconut oil will then solidify. Also you could try Shea butter – that has a lower melting point too and may keep it more solid without being refrigerated.
Any alternative to my beloved coconut oil since I just developed an allergy to it and dr said no more 🙁
maybe you just need to find a better source of coconut oil ??? M.D.’s will nix anything that is not RX usually !!! Good virgin unprocessed coconut oil is the best.
@Carol D no when I used Extra virgin organic coconut oil any brand any kind I’ve used several same reaction, I ended up with red insanely itchy blisters bumps and my skin peeled and actually hurt. My ND not MD told me not to use it any longer.
is it possible that you were using coconut oil alone and that was the issue? or was it mixed into other products? sometimes, the coconut oil can be extremely drying on the skin by itself, but when mixed with, say EVOO or another oil like jojoba, it doesn’t have that effect (I only ask because my youngest son had a similar reaction to straight coconut oil on his skin and it flared his eczema, but once it was mixed with other products it worked beautifully)…
I hope you find an alternative that works for you!!! 🙂
Mango butter is great just as moisturizing and absorbs faster
Hope this helps
Instead, use a 1:5 ratio of beeswax to oil for a nice, thick salve.
You could use Shea butter or cocoa butter in its place 🙂
Shea butter or cocoa butter would work instead of coconut oil. However, coconut oil is softer than either of thise two, so you will probably have to cut back a little on the beeswax, unless you want a firmer salve. I suppose that would be more like a thick ointment. I would start with half the beeswax, scoop a little onto a spoon while it’s still hot, put it in cold water, and then add more wax if the ointment is too runny.
can i use the calendula flower oils instead of the actual flower pedals
I’m sure that would work fine!
How much calendula oil would you use in place of the calendula flowers? Also, this would eliminate the need to simmer the oil for 2 hrs, correct?
Good question.
Use the calendula oil in place of the olive oil, same amount,
You can use all olive oil or sub the coconut oil with almond, avocado, grapeseed oils.
A substitute for beeswax might be emulsifying wax. It won’t impart the healing properties you would get with the beeswax, but the consistancy would be similar.
Can’t I just buy it from some where I’m not good with making stuff and I really want to try this for my daughter????
I don’t sell it. I’m sorry!
Wow! This is very very very similar to my go-to salve I posted last week. Great minds think a like. 🙂
Do you think this might offer relief for psoriasis?
I would think it would help! Check with your doctor though.
Your post says to use 10 extra drop for older children, what is the age range you would keep it to only the 15 drops?
I would say above 4 years old.
Would the recipe be different if it was to be used by an adult (I don’t have children)?
You could add more essential oil to it if you would like.
About how much calendula oil are you adding at step 4? (I want to use oil I already have.)
I didn’t use calendula oil…just the dried flower petals.
so excited! I’ve been buying bum bum balm off of amazon at $13+shipping for a small jar of basically this for my lo since she was born. and I’ve been saving the metal jars for my own attempts at trying to recreate it based off their ingredient list but now I have a recipe! yay! thank you for sharing!!
so dimpleskins (maker of above mentioned bum bum balm) also has a sweet cheeks-with lavender, and a sniffles – with eucalyptus. betcha i can make the sniffles one as well – how many drops of eucalyptus oil you think would be necessary?
You can sub out one of the other oils for eucalyptus.
You could sub the calendula petals for an equal amount of any other herb, or even an herbal tea blend.
You definitely could!
Do you have any recommendations about substitutions for the lavendar (either in this salve or in general)? I am highly allergic and avoid natural creams, lotions, & ointments because most contain this ingredient.
You can use any essential oil that you would like!
Roman Chamomile has a lot of the same healing properties as Lavender. It is also another essential oil found to be gentle enough to use on infant skin.
Would this be helpful for bed sores? My mother has Alzheimer’s & is bedridden. She has a place on her tailbone that is not broken through yet, but is very close & very painful. I just began using pure aloe to see if that will help. I also have a tube of calendula cream to try if the aloe doesn’t work.
I think this would be very helpful for bed sores!
Is melaleuca the same as tea tree oil? Thanks! It keeps coming up on the same search and I’m not familiar with it. I have everything else. 🙂
Yes it is!
How do you measure your beeswax? Melted? Grated? Maybe you could put weight in oz rather than volume in cups
Grated!
What about adding myrrh oil for added benefit?
That would be great!
How much Myrrh would you add?
If you are substituting it for one of the other essential oils, you can use 10 drops. If you are adding it, I’d recommend 4-5 drops
This really works! I has a cold calendula infusion (cannot remember if made with olive or sunflower oil) sitting in my cupboard since months and I just used that instead of the method suggested here.
I made it today and a few hours after application my skin looks already better.
Thanks for the recipe.
Please be mindful that Lavender essential oil is estrogenic and should not be used on little boys.
This is a fallacy- sorry!
https://roberttisserand.com/2013/02/lavender-oil-is-not-estrogenic/
This works great for acne too! I made it on Wednesday (today’s Saturday) and my acnes already greatly improved. I started having trouble with acne along my chin about 6 months ago, it’s pretty bad. I guess I should say I’m older and have only ever had the occasional breakout. I’ve tried a handful of different remedies. This one is working wonderfully. The acne feeling like it was healing was first, the next day the redness was fading and you could tell it was going to scar by the dark brown marks left. By today, even the dark brown marks are fading into a light brown. It’s not all completely gone, but well on its way.
Thanks for posting this recipe, I’m looking forward to trying it on whatever I can.
I subbed avocado oil for the olive oil. I don’t think it’s any better, just didn’t have olive oil on hand at the time. I have to rave about your recipe, it’s pretty fantastic.
That is so great Megan!!!
Currently in the process of simmering my oils and calendula petals…and it seems as though the petals are slightly burned. I had the flame on low the entire time. Did anyone else experience a slight burning smell while making it? Also, if it is in fact burned, could I still use it, or should I toss it? I hate wasting ingredients like this! Such a bummer 🙁
I am experiencing the same problem. Did you find a solution?
You have probably figured it out alre,but just substitute your calendula oil for either of the oils in the recipe. You’re oil got too hot. It should be done in a double boiler either on the stovetop or crockpot; I just stick a Mason jar with the oil and herbs in a saucepan of water, and don’t let the water boil.
I don’t like waste either, but I wouldn’t use the burnt oil for children. I’d probably add peppermint and use it on my feet, but make a fresh batch for any littles that need it. HTH
I used a recipe very similar to this on a burn on my arm. I usually scar with some brown-ish discoloration, but not only did it heal quickly, it didn’t scar! And it also relieved the pain and itch
That incredible! I’m just getting into natural remedies and look for testimonials like this. Thanks for sharing Sharon!
Thank you! I hope it heals cracked heels.
I am allergic to bee stings and get a similar reaction if I use beeswax. Is there anything I can use as a substitute for the beeswax in this recipe? I have emulsifying wax but not sure if that would be suitable. Thanks for any advice you can give.
I would try cocoa or shea butter!
Candelilla Wax
The salve looks whipped like others I have seen. Nothing in the directions about this. Does it look like the photo when it is done?
Nope, it’s not whipped at all.
Hi. I`m trying to make this salve today, but, even the heat is on very, very low, the oils together with the calendula flowers, smell like … they are burning or something like this. Is coming out smoke … I`m not sure if this is a good idea to expose these virgin cold-pressed oils to a source of heat for 2 hours, and I`m wondering if their healing properties are not compromised?
Thanks!
I’m having the same problems with the burning flowers. I strained them out, but not sure if I should use the oil that is left over?
I am sorry! I’m not sure what happened. I think it’s important to make sure you are simmering on low so you don’t burn the petals.
I have seen that some stoves, even when put on as low as they will go, still want to do a small simmer or even a very low boil. But you can get things to put on the burner to take the pan a little farther from the heat to slow it down. I have seen things you can use for this but can’t tell you right now where to find them.
Could you use a double boiler if there is a problem with burning?
You could definitely use a double boiler!
I’m making this specifically to use as a nipple cream, but I was wondering if it worked well as a diaper rash ointment. I know you said that it was cloth diaper safe, but I didn’t know if that meant that you used it for diaper rash or if you had another recipe for that.
Also, are the petals supposed to turn dark brown? Mine are on the stove on low right now and want to make sure they aren’t burnt like the two women above mentioned. Just wondering if maybe I need to swap to the crock pot.
I don’t think it is a good idea to use this recipe on your nipple – unless you omit the essential oils. Even though some brands claim they are safe for ingestion – i wouldn’t take that chance on my infant.
I think it will be an Amazing Diaper Rash ointment…
I have used it a couple of times now at the beginning of a diaper rash and it cleared it right up! I’ll definitely be keeping it on hand 🙂
I am also wondering about how much calendula oil to use instead of simmering the flowers. Anyone?? Really want to try this!
I just made this similar recipe minus the calendula flowers and it was “liquidy” so I put it in the fridge and it firmed up nicely so that night I put some on my feet (with socks) and the next morning it was “liquidy” again so now I have to keep it in the fridge…..how come mine isn’t creamy?? any ideas??
Helio, I would like to ask if I could use propolis instead of beeswax? Thank you.
I have heard that is a good substitute although I have never tried it! Please let me know how it works!
Thanks for this recipe. My son has eczema on his chin and hated having to use either petroleum product or prescription steroid cream. I made this tonight. It’s yellower than yours and I added a few drops of Frankinscense for the smell and healing and replaced the olive with Grapeseed. When I was cooking the calendula in the oil it smelled like it was burning ( I never boiled it, just almost simmered). But, when I poured the oil through a cheesecloth strainer, it looked fine. I feel so empowered making this and knowing it has zero chemicals, etc. Thank you so much! I love your blog.
I made this recipe yesterday and for some reason my final product is not creamy/whipped looking like your photo. It has more of a solid consistency. Did I do something wrong?!?
No…it just depends on the temperature of the salve. I took the picture right after I made it so it looks more whipped.
I’m getting ready to make this for the first time. I am wondering if it makes a difference as to the type of container that it is put in? The article mentions a glass jar, but I was planning to put mine in plastic lotion containers with lids. Would that be okay?
Since it’s a salve, it will be ok in plastic but glass or tin would be better.
Is there something else I can use to strain it besides cheesecloth?
I’m STILL waiting for someone to respond with how much calendula OIL they used in place of the flowers!!!! lol!! Anyone!?
Could lavender not be used? Or is there something in it’s place if it should be in there?
You could leave it out if you had to and add another oil that is good for the skin like Frankincense.
I just made this and it is a liquid form as well, unless it is always in the fridge. And it melts upon touch. I substituted shea butter for the beeswax. Should I add some beeswax to make it into a solid?
maybe 6 to 7 drops
There are several lavenders.You would be referring to Lavender angustifolia. Important to use Latin Binomial. Lower grade and sometimes adulterated is Lavindin L.intermedia.
How much does this make?
About a cup
I attempted making this and my flower petals and they turned black. Should this happen?
Thanks!
No it shouldn’t. You need to make sure it’s on very low heat.
Just wondering if the only reason for needing to strain through cheese cloth is to get rid of petals?
Yes…just to remove the petals.
I don’t have calendula flowers or oil. Can I just omit or substitute with something else? I have a pretty good selection of doTERRA oils. Would any of them work? Frankincense maybe? My main purpose for making this is for eczema for my kids. Thanks!
You can leave it out but it’s more beneficial with it.
Oh, I also have the HD Clear Topical Blend. Would that be a good sub? And if so, how many drops would you recommend?
You could use that! Use the same amount of drops as the lavender and melaleuca.
I love this salve. Today was my third time making it. I always make a double batch because I give it away as gifts, and I get so much great feedback. Seriously the best thing ever!
I use a mesh metal strainer,.
I’m making some right now, too, and yes, the flowers seem to be fying and smoking (and kind of stinky!) from simmering in the oils. The flame on my stove is very, very low. I have the same question… will it still be usable, or have a just wasted ingredients?
It should not be frying or smoking…you may need to turn it down as low as you can on your stove.
Yes, the flame was turned down as low as it could possibly be and still be lit.
I tried again today using a double boiler… MUCH better results. So the lesson here is, if you use a gas stove, heat the oils and flowers in a double boiler or crock pot.
I saw someone asked about substituting calendula oil for the flowers but didn’t see a response. I also already have the oil. Does anyone know how much oil would be used in place of the petals and would this omit the 2 hour simmer stage?
I know this is late but I just made it and used 15 drops calendula oil to keep it even with the EOs. It came out beautifully but nobody has had any boo-boos yet and the butt to be diapered is yet to be born so I will update once we have used it. 🙂
Can this salve be used daily for a toddler with eczema?
Yes!
Can you substitute organic calendula oil for flowers?
If you omit the flowers and use oil instead would you still need to simmer for two hours?
If i used the calendula oil instead of the flowers would i still need to simmer for 2 hours? Also when would i add the oil?
Great thing here. Defiantly going to make this. What’s the best way to store this? Room temp, cooled, freezer.
It should be fine at room temperature in most climates.
I made this today and it turned out great! I simmered the calendula flowers and oil in a small crock pot for 3 hours. They were perfect…not dark/burnt or overcooked. I then strained the flowers from the oil and added the oil and beeswax into a double boil to melt the beeswax. I then cooled for 15 minutes, added the oils and poured into jars. Thanks for the recipe! This is great!!!
So glad you enjoyed the process and the salve. It’s great.
I am wondering the same thing! Thinking of doing 10-15 since the other oils are 15 drops. That’s what I am going to try. Another recipe I had that required calendula infused oil said 1/2 teaspoon of that so I suppose we could go drops based on that too.
Hi My mother is allergic to lavender, so I was wondering if you had a recommendation on something I could use instead?
Chamomile would be a good substitute for Lavender
I love this recipe! thanks so much for sharing! I’ve followed the instructions carefully, but i’ve found it to be too firm (the best way i can discribe is that the consistancy is harder than lipgloss) do you have any suggestions to give it a smoother consistancy ?
Try adding more coconut oil, and next time using less beeswax. Sometimes that helps to give you a softer recipe. Just be careful not to reheat it very high, just enough to melt the coconut oil
Thanks! I will try that today.
Do you need to use a Cheesecloth or would something else to strain it be ok too?
Something with a tight weave such as a clean kitchen towel could work, and if you have a very fine sieve you could try that.
How do you use this for a flaky scalp? Im curious and interested in trying because nothing seems to be helping my itchy flaky scalp
It would be best to wet your hair, then apply a small amount of the salve, rubbing it in well. Wait 1-2 minutes then shampoo it out as you shampoo your hair. Repeat as needed.
Hi,
I used calendula flower powder instead which gave it a honey glow instead( I also strained)
And added vitamin E to prolong shelf life
I can’t remember if I previously left a comment… But I just wanted to share that we love this stuff!!!! My son has eczema and it works a lot better than cortisone, which I always hated using! One batch lasted a few months, and today I’ll be making more. With this batch I’ll be adding helichrysum too, which my sons skin responds really well to. Thanks Paleo Mama!
Has anyone used this for acne/acne scarring?? The coconut and olive oil I believe are comedogenic.
Hi why is it only good for one year?
The oils and beeswax begin to degrade after about one year, and the consistency will change
I love this recipe. I make it for gifts for everyone and they all love it. A girlfriend of mine has skin problems and she works in surgery. The combination of the soaps and gloves keeps her hand broke out terrible. But she keeps this stuff rubbed on her hands several times a day. Keeps them healthy.
I will tell you, tho, that Pinterest sent me an email this morning saying they had to delete my pin (from this blog) of this. Thank goodness I could still find you online.
You have a great blog.
If you don’t want this recipe pinned to Pinterest, then here is a great idea: DON’T HAVE A PINTEREST PIN ON YOUR WEBSITE!! I received a lovely email from Pinterest that stated that this one of my pins had been removed due to a copyright complaint. And, the pin in question was one that I had pinned, from your site, using the red Pinterest button that you have provided!!!!!
I definitely do want you to pin anything you would like, however, due to a new policy with my essential oil company, I had to remove some images that included photos of the companies bottles.
I received the same email from Pinterest. This is a great recipe – do you think it would be safe to re-pin it since you’ve honored your EO company’s new policy? 🙂
It’s fine to re-pin!
Thank you! 🙂
I just read above that ‘oil and beeswax start to degrade after one year’. Coconut oil has an extremely long shelf life and beeswax does not degrade at all, really.
I started making this today and noticed the first time I took the lid off to stir the calendular flowers in the oils that it smelled like they were burning. I can’t make my atove go any lower, is this normal and will my salve be OK to use still? I noticed that the comfrey salve says to do this similar recipe in a double boiler. Should that be how I am to do this recipe as well? I hope the method I am using is correct and that I have not ruined my salve as I made a double batch and it would be a huge waste of the products I just purchased to make this with 🙁
My petals also went dark brown and smelled a bit burned. Is my oil still OK for use? Or do I need to start all over?
Maybe I’m doing something wrong but simmering flower petals in hot oil just burns it, is that a right thing to do?
Please let me know
D
Many dried herbs/flowers are too delicate for direct heat of any kind. Infuse your oil with the dried flowers by putting the dried botanicals in a pint jar in simmering water on the stove, keeping the water between 100°-120°, turning it on and off to maintain temperature, for 2-3 hrs. If using a crock pot, heat for 8-12 hrs on the lowest setting. The lower the heat and the slower the infusion, the stronger your herbal oil will be. Before you start, rub the dried flowers between your fingers to perk up the scent. Put the dried flowers into one or two coffee filters and staple them shut. Put the coffee filter pouch into the jar and cover it with your oil to within 1″ from the top. Cover with a lid, but not tight. Put a wash cloth in the bottom of the pan/crock pot and set the filled jar(s) on top of the cloth. This cuts down on the direct heat. Stir the contents and squeeze the pouch with a spoon a few times during infusion. When you’re done, gently squeeze out excess oil and use the pouch for a bath tea and have a nice relaxing bath, or discard in compost pile!
This is amazing stuff!! Works great for my daughter’s excema. Making triple batches (I do it in a small crock pot) for Christmas gifts right now! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi! Any reason one couldn’t substitute calendula oil for the flowers & skip the steeping/straining process altogether? Thanks for your input!
I have not tried it that way, but it should work. Give it a try!
Jackie,
This salve is safe to use with a newborn as a nipple cream.. it won’t hurt them ingesting the lavender or Melaluca oils? Just curious about this I made a batch of it and its awesome using the Calendula oil instead of the flowers and love it so far.
I have seen several comments regarding using calendula oil instead of the flowers. Could you please reply as to how much of the oil we should be using in this recipe.
Thanks!
Is there anything I can use instead of the calendula flowers? I am highly allergic.
You could try comfrey instead
Hi Can I use grapeseed oil instead of olive oil??
I would stick with Olive Oil!
Yes, it’s less greasy. Save the olive oil for your food 😉
I have a few questions regarding this salve.
1. Is it safe for daily use on the face?
2. Can you substitute avocado oil for evoo?
3. Is there a way to make this recipe into a stick form (Chapstick or deodorant) so my daughter could bring it to school?
Thanks a bunch!!
Hi Victoria!
1. Yes.
2. Yes.
3. and Yes! Just add it into an old recycled deodorant bottle. I would also adjust the oils and use more beeswax and less of the olive oil.
Hi, I know that you said that this is all purpose healing, I was wondering if you could give several examples of what I could use this for. I read some of the comments and I saw diaper cream, and eczema cream, but I was curious what else you would recommend using this for. Thanks
Anything and everyone! It’s for all purpose skin issues.
Can you use it for burns, or like a Neosporin?
Yes you can use it to soothe burns, but burns like to breath so make sure you are giving the burn plenty of breathing time. You don’t want to hold in the heat.
I absolutely adore this recipe. I originally made it for my daughter-in-Law and had a bit left over and put it in a salve jar. I used it for the psoriasis on the sides of my feet. This was wonderful! I haven’t had to use my Cordran Tape ($950.00 per order out of pocket) since. Normally areas of my hands and feet get spots of skin that thickens and splits open. Like a 3rd degree paper cut – wide open and somewhat deep. The only help for the pain is to keep the medicated tape on for 12 hours. 12 on/12 off until it starts to heal. Sometimes I can’t walk because of the stinking pain. This salve penetrated so well and kept my skin supple enough it kept it from the hardening phase of the psoriasis dilemma. I can’t thank you enough for this magical recipe. I made two jars for me and am getting ready to make another batch. I love the calendula flower, so I use an extra 1/2 cup in the oils of the double boiler, and simmer 2+ hours. Next time I’m adding more essential oils (tea tree and Lavender). Thank you sincerely for sharing.
I’m so happy to hear this! Thank you Linda!