Easy Calendula Yarrow Salve Recipe
This Easy Calendula Yarrow Salve recipe combines the soothing power of calendula and restorative yarrow with shea butter and beeswax to nourish and protect your skin. Ideal for treating dry skin, eczema, minor cuts, and more.
This Calendula Yarrow Salve recipe combines soothing calendula and restorative yarrow, enriched with the moisturizing power of shea butter and the protection of beeswax. It’s perfect for gently and effectively caring for your skin. Ready to whip up your own batch of herbal salve? Here’s how.
Benefits of Calendula and Yarrow
Calendula and yarrow are staples in natural skincare due to their remarkable healing properties. Calendula is particularly valued for its ability to soothe cuts, wounds, and skin irritations like eczema and diaper rash, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial qualities. Yarrow complements this by effectively healing and regenerating skin cells. Together, these medicinal herbs offer a comprehensive approach to nurturing and repairing skin naturally.
What You’ll Need
Calendula-infused oil
Purchase ready-made or make your own: here’s how to make calendula-infused oil
Yarrow-infused oil
Purchase ready-made or make your own: learn how to make yarrow-infused oil
Shea butter
Adds a rich, moisturizing element to the salve.
Beeswax
Helps solidify the salve and provides a protective barrier for the skin.
Essential Oils (optional)
Choose according to your preferences or skin needs. (Options listed below)
Equipment
Double boiler, kitchen scale, storage jars, a stirring utensil, and pot holder.
How to Make Calendula Yarrow Salve
Weigh Your Ingredients: Measure the shea butter, beeswax, and oils accurately to achieve the desired consistency of the salve.
Set Up Your Double Boiler: If you’re making your own double boiler, fill a pot with a few inches of water and place a stainless steel bowl over it. Make sure the water and bowl don’t touch.
Melt Shea Butter and Beeswax: Place the shea butter and beeswax in the bowl. Heat on medium until they melt, stirring occasionally.
Add Infused Oils: Gently stir in the calendula and yarrow-infused oils. Adding these oils might cause the beeswax and shea butter mixture to solidify slightly. Keep the mixture on the stove, stirring occasionally, until everything is completely melted again. Once fully melted and combined, remove from heat.
Add Essential Oils: If you’re using essential oils, add 20-40 drops at this point and stir thoroughly to combine all the oils. (See combination ideas below. I used 10 drops each of eucalyptus, tea tree, and frankincense for this recipe.)
Pour Into Jars: While the mixture is still liquid, carefully pour it into your prepared jars. The bowl will be really hot, so handle it with pot holders.
Cool and Solidify: Let the jars sit at room temperature to cool. Avoid covering them immediately to prevent condensation.
Label and Store: Once cool, label your jars and store them in a cool, dry place. Use the salve within a year for best results.
Essential Oil Combinations:
Here are some more essential oil combinations that would pair well with calendula and yarrow in your salve, enhancing their healing properties:
- Lavender and Rosemary: Soothing, refreshing. Great for relaxation.
- Tea Tree and Eucalyptus: Good for acne-prone skin. Fights bacteria.
- Peppermint and Chamomile: Cooling, calming. Ideal for sensitive skin.
- Frankincense and Myrrh: Rejuvenates skin. Reduces scars.
- Geranium and Clary Sage: Balances oils. Good for mature skin.
- Lemon and Lavender: Brightens skin. Keeps it calm.
- Rose and Sandalwood: Moisturizes deeply. Improves texture.
- Bergamot and Patchouli: Lifts mood. Promotes healing.
How to Use Calendula Yarrow Salve
To use your homemade Calendula Yarrow Salve, just apply a small dab to any area of your skin that needs a little care. This salve is great for soothing everything from dry skin and eczema to minor cuts, insect bites, diaper rash, and burns.
Before you start using it all over, do a quick patch test. Just put a little on a small spot of skin and wait a day to make sure you don’t have any reaction. It’s a simple check to make sure your skin loves the salve as much as you do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use calendula yarrow salve on my face?
Absolutely! This salve is gentle enough for facial skin, but always do a patch test first to check for any sensitivity, especially if you have sensitive or acne-prone skin.
How long does homemade salve last?
When stored in a cool, dry place, your homemade calendula yarrow salve should stay fresh for up to a year. To maintain freshness, make sure the jars are sealed tightly.
How often can I apply calendula yarrow salve?
You can use this salve as needed. For dry skin or minor cuts and burns, it’s safe to apply multiple times a day. Just remember that a little goes a long way!
Is calendula yarrow salve safe for children?
This salve is safe for children due to its natural ingredients. However, if you’re adding essential oils, make sure they are also safe for kids and always do a patch test before regular use.
Can calendula yarrow salve be used on pets?
I’ve used it on my nursing goat’s teats (with tea tree, eucalyptus, and frankincense oil) with great results. But ask a livestock mentor or veterinarian if you’re not sure.
I hope this guide inspires you to create your own Calendula Yarrow Salve and incorporate it into your daily skincare routine. Not only is it rewarding to make your own products, but using this salve is a simple, effective way to benefit from the natural healing properties of these wonderful herbs.
Calendula Yarrow Salve Recipe
Equipment
- Double boiler or a makeshift one with a pot and a stainless steel bowl
- Jars with lids (I used 6 – 4 oz. mason jars)
- Kitchen scale to weigh ingredients
- Stiring utenstil & pot holder
Ingredients
- 8 oz. Calendula-infused oil (see notes for recipe)
- 8 oz. Yarrow-infused oil (see notes for recipe)
- 2 oz. Shea butter
- 2 oz. Beeswax pastilles
- 20-40 drops Essential oils (optional, see notes for combinations)
Instructions
- Weigh Your Ingredients: Measure the shea butter, beeswax, and oils accurately to achieve the desired consistency of the salve.
- Set Up Your Double Boiler: If you’re making your own double boiler, fill a pot with a few inches of water and place a stainless steel bowl over it. Make sure the water and bowl don’t touch.
- Melt Shea Butter and Beeswax: Place the shea butter and beeswax in the bowl. Heat on medium until they melt, stirring occasionally.
- Add Infused Oils: Gently stir in the calendula and yarrow-infused oils. Adding these oils might cause the beeswax and shea butter mixture to solidify slightly. Keep the mixture on the stove, stirring occasionally, until everything is completely melted again. Once fully melted and combined, remove from heat.
- Add Essential Oils: If you’re using essential oils, add 20-40 drops at this point and stir thoroughly to combine all the oils.
- Pour Into Jars: While the mixture is still liquid, carefully pour it into your prepared jars. The bowl will be really hot, so handle it with pot holders.
- Cool and Solidify: Let the jars sit at room temperature to cool. Avoid covering them immediately to prevent condensation.
- Label and Store: Once cool, label your jars and store them in a cool, dry place. Use the salve within a year for best results.
Notes
- Lavender and Rosemary: Soothing, refreshing. Great for relaxation.
- Tea Tree and Eucalyptus: Good for acne-prone skin. Fights bacteria.
- Peppermint and Chamomile: Cooling, calming. Ideal for sensitive skin.
- Frankincense and Myrrh: Rejuvenates skin. Reduces scars.
- Geranium and Clary Sage: Balances oils. Good for mature skin.
- Lemon and Lavender: Brightens skin. Keeps it calm.
- Rose and Sandalwood: Moisturizes deeply. Improves texture.
- Bergamot and Patchouli: Lifts mood. Promotes healing.