The Easiest Homemade Lemon Balm Salve Recipe

By making your own salve, you can

• Customise the ingredients to suit your needs (like creating a more moisturising salve for dry skin and calming for irritation)
• Choose the quality of ingredients you use in the salve
• Save (lots of) money compared to store-bought alternatives

What is lemon balm and why is it so effective?

Lemon balm has been used since the Middle Ages for its healing and calming properties. It’s part of the mint family and is often used in teas, tinctures, salves, and even culinary applications. Lemon balm is known for its:

Benefits of lemon balm salve

Anti-inflammatory properties – The flavonoids in lemon balm can help to reduce redness, swelling, and irritation.

Antiviral effects – Citral and citronellal in lemon balm can provide antiviral and antimicrobial benefits. This means that the salve can help to soothe and heal cold sores and combat herpes simplex virus outbreaks

Big boost of hydration – The lemon balm-infused oil nourishes and moisturises dry skin

Wound healing properties – Lemon balm can aid in the recovery of minor cuts and abrasions.

Choosing the right ingredients for your salve

Carrier oils

A good carrier oil is important for infusing the lemon balm’s benefits into your salve. Some great options are:

• Olive oil – Thick and highly moisturising, great for very dry skin.
• Jojoba oil – Closely mimics the skin’s natural sebum which helps our skin from drying out.
• Sweet almond oil – Lightweight, nourishing, and good for sensitive skin.
• Sunflower oil – Affordable and rich in vitamins.

Wax options

Wax is used to thicken the salve and make it solid. You can choose from:

• Beeswax pellets – My favourite choice because it provides a smooth texture and additional benefits to our skin.
• Carnauba wax – A vegan alternative, though it may create a firmer salve.

Optional add-ins

• Vitamin E oil – Extends the shelf life and adds extra hydration.
• Essential oils – Lavender essential oil or tea tree oil can provide soothing and antimicrobial properties.

Growing, foraging, or sourcing lemon balm

Growing your own lemon balm

If you have a herb garden, lemon balm is a great companion plant. It’s easy to grow and thrives in well-drained soil with partial to full sunlight.

Foraging for lemon balm

When foraging for lemon balm, follow these tips for the best results:

Timing – Harvest in early summer, mid-morning, after the dew has dried but before the sun’s heat reduces the herb’s volatile oils.

Identification – Look for bright green fresh leaves with a lemony scent. Lemon balm is easily confused with other plants in the mint family, so be sure of its identity before harvesting.

Drying – I like to dry my fresh herbs before infusing my oil with them. This is because the water in fresh plant material can spoil the oil. If you’re using fresh lemon balm, I recommend drying fresh lemon balm leaves in a dark place with good airflow for a few weeks and then making this salve.

Purchasing lemon balm

If growing or foraging isn’t an option, purchase dried herbs from a trusted supplier. Look for organic options to avoid herbicides and pesticides.

How to make lemon balm salve

What you need

Tools

Double boiler – If you don’t have one just use a small saucepan with a glass bowl on top. 

Glass mason jar with lid – I use these

Glass jar for storage – I use these amber glass jars

Cheesecloth or a mesh strainer

Small whisk

Supplies

Dried lemon balm leaves – Here’s a bulk, organic source

Carrier oil of your choice (I like olive oil, jojoba oil, or fractionated coconut oil)

Beeswax or carnauba wax – I recommend buying beeswax locally but if you cannot find it near you, here’s an organic source. Here’s a source for carnauba wax.

Optional

Essential oils (I like using tea tree oil and lavender essential oil)

Vitamin E oil – Here’s a source

Instructions

Step 1: make lemon balm-infused oil

Add the dried lemon balm leaves to a clean glass jar.

Pour your chosen carrier oil over the herbs until they are completely submerged. You can always add more to make sure everything is covered.

Seal the jar and add a date and label so you remember what it is and when you made it. Place it in a dark place at room temperature for 4-6 weeks, shaking every few days.

After 6 weeks, use cheesecloth or a mesh strainer to strain off the liquid.

Shortcut method: Use the heat method by placing the jar in a double boiler on low heat for 2-3 hours.

Step 2: make the salve

In a double boiler, melt the beeswax over low heat.

Stir in the lemon balm-infused oil and whisk until everything is combined.

Remove from heat and add essential oils or vitamin E, if you want to include those.

Pour the mixture into glass jars and let it cool completely. That’s it!

How long will lemon balm salve last?

Store your salve in a cool place away from direct sunlight. If properly stored, it should last 6-12 months. Adding vitamin E can extend its shelf life.

How to use lemon balm salve?

For cold sores – You can apply it directly to the affected area several times a day.

To help with insect bites and stings – Dab a small amount to help to reduce itching and swelling.

For dry or irritated skin – Simply massage into the dry skin to help hydrate!

Troubleshooting common issues

Salve too hard or soft

• I’ve tested this recipe many times and am happy with the final salve but if your salve is too hard, you can re-melt it and add more infused oil. I like to start off with adding about ½ a teaspoon. 
• If it’s too soft, re-melt and add more wax. I like to start off with adding about 1 teaspoon of beeswax pellets.

Cloudy salve

To avoid a cloudy salve, make sure that all of your tools are clean and that fresh herbs are dried before the oil infusion, to avoid moisture contamination.