There is something deeply satisfying about creating medicine with your own hands, especially when it begins in the garden and ends in a small tin tucked into your pocket.
In this class, I share information for curious beekeepers and beginner herbalists. We explore how to move from hive to garden and back again, growing and foraging herbs, infusing them into oil, and finishing with a beeswax salve that supports the skin, soothes pain, and connects us to the land.
As you begin making your own salves, it’s important to remember that no two creations will ever be exactly the same. The herbs you choose, the way you harvest and prepare them, and even the care you bring to the process all become part of the final remedy. This is one of the most beautiful aspects of practicing herbalism, that your work is not just a formula, but a reflection of your relationship with the plants. Your salve becomes something uniquely yours, carrying your intention, your touch, and a kind of quiet, personal magic.
The Herbal Spotlight: Two Categories
We're going to focus on two main categories of salves today one for skin healing and another for pain & tension relief. Many of these plants grow abundantly here in the Midwest, support pollinators, and offer powerful herbal benefits.
The salves we offer in our shop are some of our most popular items. Practical Salve and Sore muscle salve. Salves are so fun to make, and we're excited to share the process with you!
1. Herbs for Skin Healing
Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
A prolific self-seeding annual in Ohio, chamomile grows low to the ground with delicate, feathery foliage and cheerful daisy-like flowers. It thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, offering a steady nectar source for pollinators throughout late spring and summer.
Chamomile is known as a “gentle giant” in herbal care. It contains azulene, a powerful anti-inflammatory compound that calms redness and irritation. It’s especially helpful for bee stings, heat rashes, and sensitive skin.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Often called “Mother of the Skin,” calendula is a must-have in any herbal garden. This sun-loving annual frequently reseeds itself, producing bright orange and yellow resin-rich blooms.
Calendula is one of the best herbs for supporting skin repair. Its resinous flowers are anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and deeply nourishing—making it ideal for cuts, burns, and dry, cracked hands, especially gardener or beekeeper hands. I'm guilty for including these two in so many of our botanical oil infusions, they're just so lovely, gentle and healing.
Nettles (Urtica dioica)
A spreading perennial that thrives in nitrogen-rich soil, often found along woodland edges. Nettles are incredibly nutrient-dense, but must be handled with care when fresh—those tiny hairs can sting! Once dried or heated, they lose their sting completely.
Nettles are rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as silica and iron, which help strengthen skin, reduce inflammation, and promote a healthy, glowing complexion. Their natural anti-inflammatory and astringent properties can soothe irritated skin, calm redness, and support healing of minor cuts, rashes, and eczema.
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)
A powerhouse perennial with deep roots that pull minerals up from the soil. Comfrey grows large and fast—and once planted, it’s there to stay.
Comfrey contains allantoin, a compound that promotes cell regeneration and accelerates the healing of wounds, burns, and bruises. Its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties also help calm irritated or inflamed skin, making it ideal for dry, cracked, or sensitive areas.
St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
A sun-loving perennial often found along field edges. If you hold the leaves up to the light, you’ll see tiny “perforations”—oil glands that give the plant its name. The flowers are best harvested around the summer solstice, when potency is at its peak.
St. John’s Wort contains hypericin and flavonoids that help reduce inflammation and support the healing of minor wounds, burns, and skin irritations. It is also traditionally used topically to soothe nerve pain and calm sensitive or irritated skin while providing mild antibacterial protection.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
An incredibly hardy perennial with feathery leaves and flat-topped flowers that pollinators love. Yarrow thrives in poor soil and spreads easily, making it a resilient groundcover.
Historically known as “Soldier’s Woundwort,” yarrow helps stop bleeding, reduces inflammation, and supports the skin in healing. Its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties also protect wounds from infection while promoting tissue repair.
Plantain (Plantago major / lanceolata)
Often overlooked as a “weed,” plantain is one of the most useful plants growing right under our feet. Found in driveways, paths, and compacted soil, it’s incredibly resilient.
Plantain is known as the “green bandage.” It helps draw out toxins from bee stings, splinters, or infections while soothing irritation and itch. It’s a key ingredient in drawing salves—often combined with charcoal.
2. Herbs for Pain & Tension Relief
These herbs support deeper aches, inflammation, and physical strain—especially helpful after long days in the garden or working with hives.
White Willow Bark
Often called nature’s aspirin, white willow contains salicin, which helps relieve localized pain and inflammation. It grows well in Ohio, especially near waterways. The bark is typically harvested from younger branches in early spring.
St. John’s Wort
In addition to skin healing, this herb shines as a nerve remedy—especially for shooting pains, tingling, or sciatica.
Arnica
A wonderful variety for Ohio gardens, arnica is known for supporting deep tissue recovery. It helps reduce swelling, bruising, and soreness by increasing circulation to injured areas. Perfect after lifting heavy supers or long days of physical work.
Hot Peppers
Used in small amounts, hot peppers bring a warming quality to salves. Their capsaicin content increases blood flow, helping to ease stiffness and tension in joints and muscles.
Harvesting & Drying Herbs
Before making any infused oil, proper harvesting and drying is essential—especially in Ohio’s humid climate.
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When to harvest: After the morning dew has dried, but before the heat of the afternoon sun.
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Flowers: harvest just as they open
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Leaves: harvest before flowering
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Drying methods:
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Hang drying works well for nettles and comfrey (bundle and hang)
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Screen drying is best for delicate flowers like calendula and chamomile to prevent mold
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The “crackle test”: Herbs must be completely dry before infusing into oil. Any remaining moisture can lead to spoilage or bacterial growth.
Creating an Herbal Oil Infusion
This is the foundation of every good salve.
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Fill a clean, dry jar about halfway with dried herbs (single herb or a blend).
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Cover completely with a carrier oil of your choice.
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Infuse using one of the following methods:
The Solar Method (slow & traditional):
Place the jar in a sunny window for 4–6 weeks, shaking regularly.
The Heat Method (quick & controlled):
Gently warm the oil using a double boiler or water bath for 4–16 hours on low heat.
Choosing your oil:
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Olive oil – very stable and nourishing
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Sunflower oil – light, rich in vitamin E, and often locally available
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Grapeseed oil – absorbs quickly into the skin
Once infused, strain well. This is your finished herbal oil—and it can be used as-is or turned into a salve with the recipe below.
The Master Salve Recipe
This is where your herbal oil meets beeswax.
The Golden Ratio:
5 parts infused oil : 1 part beeswax
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Measure your infused oil by volume, we measure by the ounce.
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Divide by 5 to determine how much beeswax to use.
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Gently warm the oil in a saucepan over low to medium heat.
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Add beeswax and stir until fully melted (avoid overheating).
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Pour into tins or jars and let cool undisturbed.
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Label with ingredients, date, and intended use.
For a firmer salve (like lip balm):
Use a 4:1 ratio (oil to beeswax), pour into tubes designed for lip balm or deodorant.
Optional Additions
Essential Oils:
Not necessary—whole plants are powerful on their own. If desired, add up to 2% during the cooling phase to preserve their properties.
Propolis Power-Up:
Propolis adds antibacterial and mildly numbing properties. You can incorporate up to 10% into your formula. Note that it is only partially oil-soluble, so some texture may remain. Clarified propolis works best.
Herbal Butters for Extra Nourishment:
If you’d like to enrich your salve further, you can incorporate plant butters such as shea, cocoa, mango, or kokum. These add additional skin-conditioning and protective properties, making your salve feel richer and more restorative.
To keep a balanced consistency, maintain your beeswax ratio and substitute a portion of your infused oil with butter instead. A good place to start is replacing about 20% of the oil with your chosen butter. Extra Tip: Shea butter can sometimes cool with a slightly grainy texture. To prevent this, place your finished salves in the refrigerator to cool more quickly and evenly.
Your finished salve will last approximately 2 years when stored in a cool, dry place.
A Final Thought
Herbal knowledge is meant to be shared.
Whether you’re tending bees, growing herbs, or simply learning to care for your family in a more natural way, these simple remedies can become part of your daily life.
I hope this encourages you to gather what grows around you, work with your hands, and create something meaningful—for yourself and for those you love.
