Nature offers everything we need to support and restore our skin, and crafting your own herbal balm is a simple yet powerful way to harness that healing potential. By infusing herbs into oil, we extract their fat-soluble compounds—carotenoids, phytosterols, and essential oils—creating a potent base for balms, salves, and ointments.
This guide will walk you through the two-step process: first, creating a potent herbal oil infusion, then transforming it into a nourishing balm using beeswax and shea butter.
Step 1: Crafting Your Herbal Infused Oil
Infused oils act as the foundation for herbal balms, allowing the skin to absorb plant-based healing compounds efficiently.
What You’ll Need:
- Dried herbs of your choice
- Carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or another stable oil)
- Glass jar with lid
- Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Dark glass bottles (for storage)
How to Make Herbal Infused Oil:
- Prepare the Herbs
- Ensure your herbs are fully dried to prevent mold growth.
- Lightly crush them using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to increase surface area.
- Biochemistry Insight: Breaking the herbs down helps extract more of their beneficial compounds, while using dried herbs reduces water content, preventing bacterial growth.
- Add Carrier Oil
- Place the dried herbs in a clean glass jar.
- Pour in your chosen carrier oil, making sure the herbs are fully submerged to prevent oxidation.
- Biochemistry Insight: Carrier oils act as lipid-based solvents, dissolving the herbs’ fat-soluble nutrients.
- Infuse the Oil
- Sun Infusion: Let the jar sit in a warm, sunny spot for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days.
- Double Boiler (Hot Infusion): Heat the oil and herbs in a double boiler on low (110–120°F / 43–49°C) for 2–3 hours.
- Biochemistry Insight: Heat increases the solubility of herbal compounds, making them more available in the oil. The sun infusion method is gentler, preserving delicate compounds.
- Strain and Store
- Strain the oil using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.
- Pour into dark glass bottles and store in a cool, dark place.
- Pro Tip: Add a few drops of vitamin E or rosemary antioxidant extract to extend shelf life.
- Biochemistry Insight: Proper storage prevents oxidation and preserves the oil’s active compounds, ensuring maximum potency.
Shelf life: 6–12 months if stored properly.
Step 2: Turning Your Herbal Infusion into a Healing Balm
A balm is an oil-based, semi-solid preparation designed to create a protective barrier on the skin while delivering herbal benefits.
What You’ll Need:
- Your herbal infused oil
- Beeswax (for texture and preservation)
- Shea butter (for additional nourishment)
- Heatproof bowl
- Double boiler
- Clean jars for storage
- Stirring utensil
- Essential oils (optional)
How to Make a Balm:
- Melt the Ingredients
- In a heatproof bowl, combine 1 cup of infused oil with ¼ cup of beeswax and 1 tablespoon of shea butter.
- Place over a double boiler on low heat (120–140°F / 49–60°C) until fully melted.
- Biochemistry Insight: Beeswax helps emulsify the oil, binding active herbal compounds while creating a natural moisture barrier.
- Mix Thoroughly
- Remove from heat and stir continuously as it begins to cool.
- If using essential oils, add them at this stage (5–10 drops per ounce of balm).
- Biochemistry Insight: Essential oils not only provide fragrance but also enhance therapeutic benefits.
- Pour into Jars
- While still warm, carefully pour the mixture into clean jars.
- Leave a little space at the top to allow for expansion.
- Biochemistry Insight: Avoiding air bubbles prevents trapped moisture, extending shelf life.
Allow the balm to set at room temperature before sealing the jars.
Your First Steps into Natural Healing
Creating your own herbal healing balm is an empowering process that blends science with tradition. By understanding how to extract beneficial compounds and preserve their potency, you’re making a remedy that is both effective and deeply nourishing. Whether you use it for dry skin, minor cuts, or inflammation, your homemade balm is a testament to the healing power of nature.
Store in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year. Use as needed for skin nourishment and healing.
I Would love to hear how your balms turn out! Drop a comment or tag me when you make yours. 🌿✨