How to Make Chickweed Salve

This moisturising topical chickweed salve is great for calming a variety of skin irritations including rashes, eczema, bug bites, and poison ivy. Learn how to make infused chickweed oil to use in making a cooling, soothing salve.

Chickweed

Known for its instant cooling relief, chickweed is a low growing plant that can form a thick mat across the ground.

It will readily grow in cool, moist conditions. Technically they only have 5 petals, though it looks like 10 due to the deep divide in each petal, which make these gorgeous flowers look like a star.

It is best to harvest when still young, before it flowers or just as the flowers are beginning to bloom. With its easily disturbed roots, it is best to cut the pieces you want to use off the plant.

This herbaceous plant is easy to grow and has some amazing therapeutic qualities making it wonderful to add to homemade skincare products.

It contains loads of vitamins and minerals such as calcium, iron, magnesium and zinc. It also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. 

When made into a salve, it can be used to help soothe and heal skin inflammations, itching, redness and more.

Using Chickweed Salve

This salve can help with soothing and calming irritated skin. Gently massage a small amount of salve on 

• Dry or cracked skin
• Rashes and hives
• Skin irritations, itching, redness and swelling
• Eczema and Psoriasis
• Insect Bites such as bugs and bees
• Poison Ivy or Poison Oak or Stinging Nettle
• Acne
• Minor Burns and Scrapes
• Razor Burn
• Draw out infections and splinters

Carrier Oils

When making a salve, choosing the correct carrier oil can improve the impact of the salve 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 salve recipe, there are multiple carrier oils that could be used including:

• Avocado Oil
• Sweet Almond Oil
• Argan Oil
• Rosehip Oil
• Hemp Oil
• Safflower Oil

You can learn more about carrier oils here.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are potent, and need to be diluted. As this salve is being used on your skin, you will need to use essential oils that are gentle enough to be applied to your skin – and used in the correct quantities. 

Just be careful using some essential oils such as tea tree and peppermint, around children and pregnant women, making sure to do your research before using.

Before Using this Salve

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

• Don’t use on skin with open wounds or cuts.  
• Test on small area of skin before using.  If there’s any irritation, dilute with more carrier oils.
• Wash hands well after using.

More Salve Recipes

• Make Healing Calendula Salve
• DIY Sore Muscle Rub
• DIY Rose Salve
• Herbal Muscle Salve
• Charcoal Drawing Salve
• Rosemary Salve
• Comfrey Salve
• Violet Leaf Salve
• Plantain Salve

Chickweed Infused Oil

To make this salve, first you need to make Chickweed Infused Oil.

To make the infused oil, you will need: 

• ½ cup Dried Chickweed
• 1 cup Olive Oil or another carrier oil of your choice

First you will need to infuse the chickweed in the olive oil. To do this, let your fresh leaves dry for at least a day or two before infusing. 

Place the dry leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with olive oil. 

Put the lid on the jar and store in a dark cupboard for two to four weeks, shaking every couple of days to keep everything submerged.

Strain the leaves with a strainer, cheesecloth or an unbleached coffee filter. The infused oil is now ready to make into a salve.

If you want to speed up the infusion process, slowly heat the oil in a slow cooker on low heat for 24 – 48 hours.

For more information on making infused oils, check this out.

Making Chickweed Salve

To make 6 ounces of this salve, you will need:

• ¼ cup Beeswax
• 1 cup Chickweed infused oil
• 15 drops Essential Oil – (optional) Some optional include using lavender, peppermint or eucalyptus 
• 2oz containers

Combine the beeswax and the infused oil in a microwaveable container and heat for 30 seconds at a time in the microwave until the beeswax is completely melted. Stir in between each heat burst.

This process could also be done in a double boiler.

Add the essential oil if using and mix through.

Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins.

Let the salve cool and set.

The salve is now ready to label, date and store.

Storing This Salve

Place the salve in dark glass jars or metal tins to protect it from exposure to light and air. I have also used tubes for easier application.

Store in a cool, dark place.

When properly stored, this salve should last up to six months.

To Use this Salve

Using clean hands, rub a small amount of the salve onto your fingers, then rub it in the intended site.

• For dry or chaffed skin, massage a small amount onto the affected area
• For minor burns and scraps, apply a thin layer of the salve to soothe the area
• Apply a thin layer on insect bites, acne, stinging nettle, or poison ivy 
• Apply a small amount on infections and splinters then cover and leave for a period of time

Notes

• If you are picking fresh leaves to use in this salve, 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.
• Vitamin E is optional, and is often added to salves as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity, as well as for its amazing skin-healing properties. Add 1 teaspoon of  vitamin E oil to help preserve your salve even longer! 
• You can use any type of carrier oil for the infused oil. This recipe uses olive oil. 
• Try adding other skin-friendly herbs such as calendula, plantain, chamomile, lavender or rosehips to the chickweed before infusing
• If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
• Try adding essential oils or other infused oils for a more powerful salve
• I live in a hot climate, so this is made with 3 tablespoons of beeswax to stop it from melting during hot summers, thus making this a harder salve. Use less beeswax if you want a softer balm. To test the consistency of the salve, place a small amount on the back of your hand and see what it does. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax; if it is too hard, add more oil.

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.