DIY BUG BITE BALM RECIPE
This recipe is simple to make, inexpensive, nontoxic, herbal salve that works! It is the best thing for mosquito bite relief, any other itchy bites, nettle stings, and a bunch of other irritated skin issues.
Yield: 8 2oz. jars
Cost: $5-$15
Equipment
- Jars for storing salve
- Saucepan
- Glass bowl
- Spatula
- Glass measuring cup
- Measuring spoons
- Kitchen scale
Materials
- 1/2 cup Dried Stinging Nettle Leaves
- 1/2 cup Dried Plantain Leaves
- 1/2 cup Dried Calendula Petals
- 2.5 oz. Beeswax
- Water for double boiler
Instructions
- LONG METHOD-HOW TO HERBALLY-INFUSE OIL:
- Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave at least 1 to 3 inches of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
- Fill jar with your base oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top, if there is space add more oil. If they still are at the top periodically shake the jar to keep all herbs submerged.
- place the lid on the jar tightly and shake well
- Place the jar in an area where it will be in direct sunlight like a windowsill at warm to room temperature.
- Shake once a day, or more if you think of it.
- After 4-6 weeks, (or longer if you desire) strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
- QUICK METHOD HOW TO INFUSE OIL:
- Place dried herbs or spices into a clean, dry quart jar. Leave 1 inch of headspace over your herbs to completely submerge with oil
- Fill jar with your oil of choice, making sure to cover the plant material by at least 1 inch. Herbs naturally float to the top.
- Place a few cups of water into the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot (you want there to be a few inches off water around the sides of the jar). Submerge a small towel or some canning lid rings into the pot or crockpot.
- Place your jar full of herbs into the pot or crockpot on the towel or canning rings and make sure the glass isn’t touching the bottom of the saucepan or crockpot directly.
- Cook on the lowest setting preferably between preferably between 100° and 140° F for 1 to 8 hours, until the oil takes on the color and scent of the herb.
- Remove from heat and cool oil
- Once oil has cooled, strain the herbs out of the oil using a tea towel or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze the plants at the end to get as much oil as possible.
- HOW TO MAKE DIY BUG BITE BALM: Place saucepan on stove, fill with water.
- Put glass bowl on top of saucepan to create double boiler.
- Heat water to boiling, then lower to med/med high
- Measure your herbal oils and beeswax into the glass bowl
- Stir mixture until beeswax pellets are completely dissolved.
- Pour hot salve directly into containers for storage. Or, pour hot mixture into liquid measuring cup then into containers for storage
- Allow salve to cool before putting lid on it.
- This salve is ready to use right away.
Notes
How to use DIY bug bite balm:
For itchy bug bites, allergic reactions to plants, nettle stings, any itch or burn. Apply this homemade bug bite salve directly to affected area. Reapply as desired, adding a band-aid on top sometimes helps. How long does this salve last?
This bug bite balm sad a shelf life of one year minimum. Possibly 2 or more if stored correctly. Check for any off smell or discoloration before use. How to scent your balm:
Add a few drops of your favorite pure essential oils to the carrier oils in your recipe if you would like to scent this salve. Lavender essential oil, lavender tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil are common to use for soothing bug bites. Container Options:
I store my bug bite balm to sell in 1oz. and 2.oz amber glass jars. For our personal use, you can store it simply in a mason jar. Bug Bite Balm sticks: you can order plastic lip balm tubes or deodorant containers to make this salve into readily available anti-itch sticks for on-the-go. I like to have some available I'm lip balm tubes for during hikes.
For itchy bug bites, allergic reactions to plants, nettle stings, any itch or burn. Apply this homemade bug bite salve directly to affected area. Reapply as desired, adding a band-aid on top sometimes helps. How long does this salve last?
This bug bite balm sad a shelf life of one year minimum. Possibly 2 or more if stored correctly. Check for any off smell or discoloration before use. How to scent your balm:
Add a few drops of your favorite pure essential oils to the carrier oils in your recipe if you would like to scent this salve. Lavender essential oil, lavender tea tree oil, peppermint oil, and eucalyptus oil are common to use for soothing bug bites. Container Options:
I store my bug bite balm to sell in 1oz. and 2.oz amber glass jars. For our personal use, you can store it simply in a mason jar. Bug Bite Balm sticks: you can order plastic lip balm tubes or deodorant containers to make this salve into readily available anti-itch sticks for on-the-go. I like to have some available I'm lip balm tubes for during hikes.