Lemon Balm Lip Balm {for Soothing Cold Sores}

Lemon balm is an amazing herb that contains a powerful antiviral properties that can be used to help soothe, fight and prevent cold sores. This easy to make lemon balm lip balm, is not only great for soothing and fighting cold cores, it makes a wonderful moisturising lip balm as well.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and is able to do many of the same things mint can do like soothe tummy troubles. This herb is calming, yet uplifting helping to soothe anxiety, and depression symptoms and lifting spirits. The antiviral properties help to soothe and shorten the duration of healing time of cold sores.

This herb is easy to grow. If you haven’t grown this herb before, here are some great tips on learning how to grow and harvest lemon balm.

Once you have it growing, you will be looking for some ways to use this amazing lemon scented plant. 

Lemon Balm Infused Oil

Lemon Balm Infused oil is simply oil that has been infused with dried lemon balm leaves. It is important that the leaves are dried before using them, as too much moisture can make the oil go rancid. Once steeped, the oil can be either used on its own or made into natural salves, ointments and creams. If you steep with an inedible oil such as jojoba, then you would not be able to use as a salad dressing.

Carrier Oils

When making a salve or lip balm, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the balm as each carrier oil has its own set of distinct properties. Blending a couple of carrier oils can also help maximise their benefits. 

With this balm recipe, only edible carrier oils should be used including:

• Avocado Oil
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Coconut Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent, and need to be diluted. Make sure to do your research first and use with extreme care. As this balm is being used on your lips, you will need to use essential oils that are gentle enough to be applied to your skin – and use in the correct quantities. Be careful to avoid sensitive areas like your eyes. Also, make sure to use oils that are safe for kids if using this balm on your kids.

Be careful when using some essential oils such as lemon. This is a photosensitive oil, which means that you can have a reaction if you go out in the sun within a few hours of using it. For this reason, when using Lemon essential oil in body care products, I use this Steam-Distilled Lemon Essential Oil from Plant Therapy as it is not phototoxic, which means you don’t have to worry about phototoxicity.

Before Using this Lip Balm

Before using this rub, you will need to understand a few things.

• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
• Wash hands well after using.

Lip Balm Tips and Tricks

• This recipe can be used with a number of different infused oil
• Essential oils are optional. If you want to add some, try using bergamot, orange, peppermint, spearmint or cinnamon.
• A small amount of honey could be added for extra healing properties
• I live in a hot climate, so this is made with adding extra beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder lip balm. You may want to decrease/increase the beeswax to suit your climate. You can test the consistency of your lip balm by placing a small amount of mixture into the freezer for 2 minutes. Then take it out and let it come to room temperature before testing its hardness. If it is too soft, add a little more beeswax, if too hard, add a little more oil.
• You can substitute carnauba wax for beeswax, though it is harder than beeswax, so you will probably need to decrease the amount slightly. 
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to beauty products as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties.

Using Lemon Balm Lip Balm

This lip balm can be used:

• For the treatment of cold sores
• Helping soothe chicken pox
• Soothe bug bites
• Soothe dry lips

Keep a tube in your bag, around the house or at work and use as needed.

Storing Lip Balm

Store in a dry place our of direct heat and sunlight.

Once set properly, this lip balm should last for up to 12 months.

Ingredients for Lip Balm

To make around 5 ounces of lip balm, you will need:

• Lemon Balm leaves and a carrier oil (such as coconut, olive oil, avocado oil) for infused oil
• 12 drops essential oils, optional ( 6 drops each of peppermint and tea tree)
• 6 TBSP Lemon Balm infused oil
• 3 TBSP beeswax
• 1 TBSP cacao butter or shea butter
• ¼ teaspoon Vitamin E – optional
• Lip Balm Containers

Beeswax- One of the primary reasons it is used in salves is to bind all the ingredients and help them to emulsify but when combined with the other ingredients it is also hydrating and creates a protective barrier.

Vitamin E – Acts as a preservative to extend the shelf life of your salve but also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to benefit you.

Making Lemon Balm Infused Oil

To make lemon balm infused oil, you will need:

• Dried, organic lemon balm leavers
• Carrier oil such as Olive oil, coconut and avocado oil

Place the dry leaves in a large clean, dry glass jar. 

Pour in the carrier oil so that the leaves are covered with 1 inch of oil as the leaves will expand as they soak in the liquid and they need to stay covered the whole time. You will find that the leaves will float, so an easy way is to make sure there is about 1 inch of oil clear at the bottom of the jar.

Cover the jar with a tight fitting lid and give it a good shake. Place the jar dark, cool place. 

Infuse for 4 – 6 weeks, shaking every couple of days when you walk past. Then strain out the leaves using a cheesecloth and pour the oil into a clean, glass jar. Store in a cool, dark place while using.

To learn more about herb infused oils, check this out!

Making Lemon Balm Lip Balm

To make lip balm, first make the lemon balm infused oil.

Once that is ready, add the infused oil, the beeswax and the cacao butter to a microwavable jug.

Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, remove and stir, then heat for additional 30 second increments, until fully melted, stirring well between each heating session. A double boiler can also be used to melt these ingredients together.

Add essential oils and vitamin E oil, if using.

Pour into lip balm containers.

Allow to sit for several hours until set.

Add lids and labels and store.

Use as needed.

More Lemon Balm Resources

• Ways to use Lemon Balm
• How to Grow and Harvest Lemon Balm
• Lemon Balm Jelly Recipe

Notes

• If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this lip balm, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
• Harvest only when you are 100% positive you have the correct plant as there are many lookalikes which are inedible or poisonous.
• Infused oils are not essential oils, they are very different and I don’t recommend internal use for essential oils.
• Also, it is advised to not apply oils to fresh burns, fungal infections and leaky skin conditions, a water-based poultice would be better in this situation.
• This recipe can be easily adapted to make smaller or larger batches.

 

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on this website.