Contents
Oil
The first step in making a salve, is to infuse a base or carrier oil with herbal essence. If you’re using essential oils rather than fresh or dried herbs, just drop the essential oils into the carrier oil until you’re happy with it if you’re just making an oil, if you’re making a salve, you can wait to add the essential oils as part of the salve-making process.
You should use dried herbs for this, or if using fresh herbs, clean them and lay them to dry until wilted. High water content increases the chance of mold growing on your salves or in your oils later.
Use a crockpot and a canning jar, or double boiler. Stainless steel, glass or enamel is best. Place the herbs in the top of the double boiler or the canning jar and pour in enough oil to cover, plus one inch. Put a few inches of water in your crockpot or the bottom of your double boiler.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Herbal oils and salves are natural remedies made from plant extracts, offering various therapeutic benefits.
Oils are typically liquid extracts, while salves are semi-solid, making them suitable for different applications.
Using oils and salves involves topical application for conditions like skin irritations, muscle aches, and relaxation.
Proper usage and selection of herbal oils and salves can provide effective relief and promote overall well-being.
Heat it on the lowest setting for at least three hours. Avoid exposing the oil to light or allowing it to get warm enough to be uncomfortable to the touch.
Heat and light will cause oils to go rancid quickly. You will need longer, at least five hours for roots and woody herbs. Test by pouring a bit of oil onto your hand and using your senses to determine if it’s strong enough for you.
Let the oil cool completely, and then strain through a cheesecloth, squeezing as much oil out as you can.
1If you are just making a massage or anointing oil, you can stop here unless you wish to add essential oils, which you can do as soon as your oil has cooled. If you prefer a salve, do not add your essential oils just yet. They should always be added last, so that they don’t have a chance to evaporate. Continue on…
Salve
Add some beeswax to your pan and heat till melted, stirring constantly. Slowly add your infused a bit at a time. You will need less beeswax and more oil than you think. Allow it to cool on a spoon to test if your salve is thick enough. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax, too hard, add more oil.
Blend in essential oils and vitamins at the very end. Add some vitamin E for its skin smoothing properties, and as a preservative. Then pour into sterilized containers and seal.
Using Oils and Salves
These salves and oils can be used for several purposes. You may massage them into sore muscles, use them to smooth rough skin, or apply them to abrasions and other skin irritations or you may use them for ritual purposes.
Anointing oil can be used for several things during a ritual. It is most commonly associated with formal rites of passage, though it can also be used to augment your magical ritual and private worship.
The oil may be simply daubed onto a person’s forehead, or you may wish to anoint various parts such as hands, feet, heart, womb, genitals, etc., depending on your particular path. Salves may be used just like oils for anointing and are perhaps neater.
About Morningbird (Witchipedia's Founder)
I am a homesteading hearth witch who grew up along the shores of the Hudson River and has lived among the Great Lakes for the past 20 years. Together with my musical husband and youngest child, I steward a one-acre mini homestead with herb, vegetable and flower gardens, chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits, and areas reserved for native plants and wildlife.
I have three children; two are grown, and I have been practicing magick alone and with family and friends for over 30 years.