• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to after header navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Wellness Mama script logo

Wellness Mama®

Simple Answers for Healthier Families

  • About
  • Favorites
  • Podcast
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • Health
  • Natural Home
  • Motherhood
  • Mindset
  • Natural Remedies
  • Beauty
  • Organization
  • Travel
  • Reviews
  • Recipes
Healing Lip Balm Recipe- great for chapped lips and easy to make
  • Beauty

Healing Lip Salve Recipe

Katie WellsSep 6, 2012Updated: Dec 20, 2021
Reading Time: 2 min

This post contains affiliate links.
Click here to read my affiliate policy.

Wellness Mama » Blog » Beauty » Healing Lip Salve Recipe

To continue the theme of DIY natural lip care recipes, I’m sharing this recipe for homemade healing lip salve. I really like homemade lipstick and homemade tinted lip balm, but sometimes I just want something to help with dry lips after gardening or being outside in wind/snow but don’t want color, shine, or scent.

This recipe is also great for guys and for kids as it isn’t brightly colored or strongly scented. This recipe incorporates optional healing herbs that help heal and protect the lips, but you can leave these ingredients out to have an unscented and simply moisturizing version. Homemade healing lip balm/salve also lasts forever, since a little goes a really long way.

Lip Salve Recipe

The herbal ingredients are naturally moisturizing, antibacterial, and anti-fungal, and some people have success with using it to speed the healing of cold sores. It doesn’t contain petroleum or chemicals like most commercial lip products so you can feel safe using it on yourself or your kids.

All ingredients, tins, and lip chap containers to store it in can be found online. (Storing in a lip-chap container makes it portable and easy to apply.)

Lip Balm Ingredients

  • 1 cup of olive or almond oil
  • 1 teaspoon echinacea root (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon comfrey leaf 
  • 1 teaspoon plantain leaf (herb-not banana!)
  • 1 teaspoon calendula flowers
  • 1 teaspoon yarrow flowers
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary leaf
  • 1/4 cup beeswax pastilles
  • 10 drops Vitamin E oil (optional)
  • 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil (optional)

Lip Balm Instructions

  1. Infuse the herbs into the olive oil. There are two ways to do this. You can either combine the herbs and the olive oil in a jar with an airtight lid and leave 3-4 weeks, shaking daily OR heat the herbs and olive oil over low/low heat in a double boiler for 3 hours (low heat!) until the oil is very green. You can also omit this step completely, or add just a drop of each of the essential oils instead.
  2. Strain the herbs out of the oil by pouring through a cheesecloth. Let all the oil drip out and then squeeze the herbs to get the remaining oil out.
  3. Discard the herbs.
  4. Heat 1/4 cup of the infused oil in a double boiler with the beeswax until melted and mixed. (save the extra oil for use on wounds/cuts or for another batch of lip salve).
  5. Remove from heat and add in the essential oil and vitamin E oil (if using).
  6. Pour into small tins, glass jars, or lip chap tubes and use on dry or chapped lips.

Another easy DIY I love is my Mint Chocolate Lip Scrub.

Do your lips ever get chapped? Have you ever infused an oil? Let me know below!

This DIY healing lip salve helps sooth dry and chapped lips immediately. Easy to make and natural so it is safe for use on kids.

Category: Beauty

Share this article

FacebookTweetPinLinkedIn
Print / PDF / Email

About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

  • All Posts

You may also enjoy these posts…

Homemade Healing Salve Recipe- Like Neosporin but more effective and all natural

Homemade Healing Salve

DIY chickweed salve recipe

DIY Chickweed Salve Recipe

Gardeners Hand Salve Recipe

Gardeners Hand Salve Recipe

Old Fashioned Black Drawing Salve Recipe

Black Drawing Salve Recipe

lip balm recipe

Homemade Lip Balm Recipe

Lavender and honey burn salve recipe

Lavender Honey Burn Salve Recipe

Reader Interactions

Discussion (73 Comments)

  1. Arina Shaifuddin

    January 22, 2013 at 9:02 AM

    If somebody makes any products of your shared recipes, would you mind if he/she sells them without telling you in advance? Thank you.

    Reply
  2. Kester

    December 16, 2012 at 6:41 PM

    I didn’t have a double broiler, so I’m trying to make the infused oil using a crockpot. I’m using all dried herbs and sweet almond oil. It’s been in the slow cooker on low for about 24 hours and still isn’t green. Any tips on how to get this method to work?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      December 16, 2012 at 9:27 PM

      What proportions of each did you use? The amounts listed? Are they directly in the crockpot or in a jar in there and what is the temp? It may just take longer at a lower temp…

      Reply
  3. Sylvia

    December 9, 2012 at 5:18 PM

    My lips seem to always be chapped! Very recently I have just started using pure jojoba oil, but this salve sounds great, I can’t wait to try making it!

    Reply
    • Ranjeeta

      September 19, 2014 at 4:45 PM

      Hi Sylvia,

      For dry lips try rubbing any oil to your navel. This greatly helps me and is home remedy being used in my family from generations.

      Reply
  4. Linda

    October 11, 2012 at 11:47 AM

    My kids always complain that most lip balms that I buy are “hot”. They really don’t like that medicated, tingly feeling! Does this recipe make balm that is like that, or is it more soothing? They will not tolerate any burning feeling on their lips at all.

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      October 11, 2012 at 12:52 PM

      It isn’t hot at all but you can omit any mint to make sure

      Reply
      • Carolyn

        June 19, 2016 at 6:04 PM

        And add lavender essential oil..very soothing

        Reply
        • Cindy

          January 29, 2022 at 6:06 PM

          Any idea how the portions may change to make this a squeezable salve?

          Reply
  5. Jody C

    October 4, 2012 at 9:44 PM

    I just made an infused oil with calendula, plantain, rosemary, and yarrow. Now that it has been strained through coffee filters twice, it really stinks! I really don’t want to make an ointment or lip balm that reeks. Any advice please?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      October 5, 2012 at 9:16 AM

      Does it smell strongly of the herbs or does it actually smell bad? It will smell stronger in a big jar like that, and the other ingredients you add will mellow it out a lot for an ointment. Essential oils can also help it smell how you’d like….

      Reply
      • Jody C

        October 5, 2012 at 8:02 PM

        It is very dark green in color and I guess you could say it smells “green” like the herbs. I’m wondering if I should have fully dried the herbs first? I let the plantain dry out for a day and the same with the calendula, but I put the rosemary in right off the bush and the yarrow too. Let’s just say it’s a very, very strong smell/odor. I don’t know if I would want to rub it into my skin. Perhaps the essential oils would cover some of the smell. What do you think?

        Reply
        • Wellness Mama

          October 5, 2012 at 8:10 PM

          If you used all fresh herbs, it will be stronger and more green. It may look and smell weird, but it should work wonders for any blisters, bites, itching or cuts… The essential oils should really help with the smell too.

          Reply
          • Jody C

            October 5, 2012 at 8:20 PM

            OK, I’m going to use it. Do you think I have a greater chance of spoilage with the fresh herbs? Or will the E oil or grapefruit seed extract be enough to cover that? Thanks so much for your help. I sincerely appreciate it.

          • Wellness Mama

            October 5, 2012 at 8:22 PM

            You should be covered, as long as they were covered in the oil, they should be preserved…

          • Jody C

            October 5, 2012 at 8:29 PM

            Thank you very much.

  6. Peg O'Brien

    September 10, 2012 at 8:43 AM

    I had found a lip balm specifically targeted for cold sores from Jenulence that really worked well. Very similar ingredients, they use Lemon Balm, St. John’s Wort, Comfrey, Calendula and Ravensara (all infused olive oils (except the Ravensara. that was essential oil)). Works great but the scent is not so awesome (fortunately it dissipates quickly). Seriously knocks down even a cold sore that has gotten out of hand. And after having used it just once, I will sometimes get that telltale tingle, but nothing ever comes of it (I would get a cold sore at the slightest sign of stress or minimal sun exposure). I still use it occasionally just as a lip balm since it leaves your lips seriously soft, but haven’t needed to treat another cold sore. I’ve been planning on trying to reverse engineer it and see if something can’t be done about that smell. It is pretty off-putting.

    Reply
    • Peg O'Brien

      September 10, 2012 at 8:53 AM

      Hm. Just read through your recipe again, I’m thinking that peppermint oil is just the ticket! I was thinking of reducing some of the others, but overwhelming them might be better. All the benefits, none of the reek.

      Reply
    • Peg O'Brien

      September 10, 2012 at 8:55 AM

      Oops, they have Manuka EO in it too. Both the Ravensara and the Manuka have anti-viral properties. And some shea butter, which is probably why it’s so luxurious feeling.

      Reply
      • Wellness Mama

        September 10, 2012 at 10:08 AM

        For specific cold sore treatment, I’d actually add Ora Wellness Brushing Blend. It has Manuka, cinnamon and peppermint and would be great.

        Reply
  7. Becca

    September 9, 2012 at 9:07 AM

    Where do you get essential oils for plantain, comfrey, calendula, and echinacea? The directions say you can substitute one drop of essential oil for the herbs. You can get yarrow and rosemary oils from Mountain Rose Herbs but not the others. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      September 9, 2012 at 1:17 PM

      If you have a Whole foods or natural food store locally, you can probably find them there. Also, I haven’t tried them personally, but companies like Young Living and DoTerra sell a wide variety.

      Reply
    • Pati

      June 3, 2014 at 3:07 PM

      Mountain Rose Herbs has everything you can ask for and very reasonable . Check out the web site.

      Reply
    • Tina Sams

      January 7, 2016 at 11:36 PM

      I think you can get a calendula oil, but plantain, comfrey, and echinacea do not contain essential oil, and therefore you won’t be able to purchase it.

      Reply
  8. jaci

    September 6, 2012 at 10:10 PM

    Do you have recipe for soap…as in body soap…i live all of yoyr homemade stuff

    Reply
  9. Denise Castaneda

    September 6, 2012 at 9:50 PM

    can you use powdered herbs and just mix into the oil?

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      September 7, 2012 at 8:55 AM

      Powdered or just cut and sifted dried herbs, and then they get strained out before the salve is made so it is smooth. You could use powdered if it was fine enough, but you’d only need about half as much…

      Reply
  10. Jennifer Marquis

    September 6, 2012 at 12:11 PM

    Quick question, I have just a solid pound of beeswax, do you know how much in weight the 1/4 cup of pastilles? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Wellness Mama

      September 6, 2012 at 12:15 PM

      I don’t know off hand… I would guess about 2 ounces, but with a block, just grate with a cheese grater and it should be about the same size/weight as the pastilles.

      Reply
Newer Comments »

Join the Conversation... Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Please read the comment policy.

Recipe Rating




The information on this website has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease. By accessing or using this website, you agree to abide by the Terms of Service, Full Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Affiliate Disclosure, and Comment Policy. Content may not be reproduced in any form. Ads provided by CafeMedia Family & Parenting Network. Displayed ads do not constitute endorsement or recommendation by Wellness Mama.


Content

  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
  • Podcast
  • Favorites
  • Wellnesse

Support

  • Newsletter
  • Podcast Application
  • Medical Review Board
  • My Books
  • Sitemap
  • Contact

Policies

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service
  • Full Disclaimer
  • Affiliate Disclosure
  • Promo Guidelines
  • Comment Policy

Join the
Wellness Mama Tribe!


Copyright © 2023 · Wellness Mama® · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding