This healing Violet Leaf Salve is anti-inflammatory, soothing and cooling, making it a great option for those with skin irritations including eczema, abrasions, dry or chaffed skin, rashes, hives and more.

Violet Leaf Salve

Violet leaves are a rich source of antioxidants. They also have wonderful anti-inflammatory properties which makes them a great addition to this healing salve. This soothing salve can also moisturise, tone and heal the skin.

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.

Before Using this Rub

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.

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Making Infused Oil

To make the infused oil, you will need:

1 cup violet flowers and leaves – dried
1 cup Avocado Oil

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

Place the dry flowers and leaves in a glass jar and cover it completely with avocado 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 violet flowers and 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.

This violet infused oil is very beneficial to use as is. Try using it for:

For skin issues, such as acne and eczema
Massage gently into your hair and scalp, then leave for a hour or so and then wash out to help soothe and shape hair
With its relaxing and moisturising benefits, it makes a great massage oil
With all its amazing properties, violet leaf infused oil may help ease muscular and joint pain
This infused oil may also help with coughs – just rub a small amount on the chest

Making Violet Leaf Salve

To make 6 – 8 ounces of this salve, you will need:

violet infused oil from above
¼ cup beeswax pellets
½ tsp purple mica powder – optional

You will also need a glass jar and a strainer or cheesecloth to separate the flowers and leaves from the infused oil.

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.

Once fully melted, set aside and add the mica powder, if using. Make sure to mix it thoroughly.

Pour the mixture into small glass jars or tins and let cool down.

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

Storing Violet 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 abrasions and bruises, apply a thin layer of the salve to soothe the area
Try applying a small amount to your insect bites and varicose veins
This salve could also be applied to rashes, hives, psorisis and eczema

Notes

If you are picking fresh leaves and flowers to use in this salve, make sure to harvest them from a pesticide free area.
After a few hours, check on your salve. If you find that the purple colour doesn’t show up, place the salve in a bowl and mix the mixture with a hand mixer for a few minutes and put back into the tins. The salve will then be more of a whipped salve, but will have a lovely purple colour.
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 avocado oil.
If you want this to be a vegan recipe, swap out beeswax pellets for candelilla wax.
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.

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