Using a basic salve making method, this Lavender Hand Balm recipe is created to give relief to sore, chapped skin by using lavender, chamomile, calendula, and shea butter.

Here I go into tools you need, ingredients, and step by step instructions on how to make a basic Lavender Hand Balm.

Let’s Dive In…

Lavender Hand Balm Recipe | Making Herbal Salves

Growing Herbs

Lavender is a fantastic perennial plant that can withstand poor soil conditions and can live for many years in the gardens.

Lavender gives will be soothing from its anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial affects to the skin.

Chamomile is an annual flower that will grow just about anywhere in full sun when started from seeds; it looks like tiny daisies, and it smells like apple.

Chamomile also gives calming and soothing properties to the balm that can help with redness or irritation.

Calendula is also an annual that is easily started from seeds and will grow just about anywhere and is a fantastic vegetable garden companion plant.

Calendula is a powerful skin healer and can even help with aging.

Tools you need

Double boiler system
Small jars with lids, of choice

Ingredients

Makes a 1/2-pint sized mason jar.

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup coconut oil (can substitute this with the olive oil above)
2 tablespoons dried lavender
2 tablespoons dried chamomile
2 tablespoons dried calendula
2 ounces or about 1/2 cup Beeswax, cosmetic grade
2 tablespoons Shea Butter (optional, but highly recommended)
Lavender essential oil (optional)

Instructions

Long Steep Form:

Make sure to dry all your herbs well. Roughly chop them into smaller pieces.
Place your herbs in a glass jar, and cover with the olive oil. Make sure all herbs are submerged into the oil.
Place lid on tight and let sit for 6 weeks at room temperature.
After the six weeks, strain herbs out of oil.
Set up your double boiler.
Place double boiler on medium -low heat, add herb infused oil, coconut oil, beeswax, shea butter.
Mix until everything is melted, being careful not to boil.
Once melted and combined, turn boiler off heat.
Add essential oils if using them and stir well.
Pour mixture into a clean jar.
Allow to sit on your countertop for 24 hours until hardened.
Can be used immediately once cooled, store in dry, cool place.

Short Steep Form:

Using your double boiler on low heat, add olive oil, coconut oil, and herbs.
Allow the herbs to steep in the oils for at least 2-3 hours. Stirring occasionaly, making sure not to boil.
Once steeped, strain the herbs off the oil.
Back in your double boiler on low heat, add your herb infused oil, beeswax, shea butter.
Allow to melt, stirring frequently. Being careful not to boil.
Once melted and combine, turn boiler off the heat.
Add essential oils if using them and stir well.
Pour mixture into a clean jar.
Allow to sit on your countertop for 24 hours until hardened.
Can be used immediately once cooled, store in a dry, cool place.

Troubleshooting/Tips

If it is too thick in the end, remelt and add more oil.

If is too thin in the end, remelt and add more beeswax.

Essential oils are mostly for scenting purposes, so add as much as you wish.

You can easily make your own double boiler system with a sauce pot and a bowl or mason jar, so long as nothing touches the bottom of the saucepot.

For the short steep or fast method, I like to put a mason jar of oils in my crockpot; fill crockpot with water, turn on high heat, place a few jar bands on the bottom for the jar to sit on, and place the jar with oils and herbs to sit in the hot water for the 2–3-hour steep time.

That’s It!

I personally prefer to use my own hand balms for all my dry skin woes during the winter; in fact, I usually use this as hand and face lotion during the winter since those are the most susceptible to chapped skin.

This also makes some great gifts at any time of the year.

Enjoy!

I am in no way giving medical advice, and it is your responsibility to research herbs before using for allergies or pregnancy related issues. Disclaimer here.