A Simple Chickweed salve recipe for homemade first aid kid 🌿
- Anna Axisa
- 3 minutes ago
- 3 min read
If you love natural, homemade remedies as much as I do, you’re going to adore this chickweed salve. I recently spent a day at a introduction to herbal remedies workshop with the incredible herbalist Pat Collins, and it completely reignited my passion for making herbal medicine at home. Watching her speak so effortlessly about local plants and their healing properties reminded me just how powerful and accessible these traditional remedies really are.
This chickweed salve recipe is my own, but the inspiration came from that workshop with Pat Collins. I left feeling confident enough to experiment in my own kitchen and the chickweed salve I made worked an absolute treat!
(You can check out more of Pat’s work on her website —https://patcollins.com.au/Workshops)
chickweed salve recipe how to make chickweed salve
homemade healing salveWhat Is a Salve?
A salve is a simple, medicinal ointment used to soothe, heal, or protect the skin. It’s usually made by infusing herbs or flowers into oil, then blending that oil with beeswax (and sometimes coconut oil) to give it a firm, spreadable texture.
The beauty of salves is how forgiving and versatile they are and how easy they are to make at home.
Why Chickweed?
Chickweed is a gentle, cooling herb known for calming itchy, irritated, or inflamed skin. When made into a salve, it’s wonderful for:
Eczema
Rashes
Bug bites
Dry or itchy skin
Minor scrapes
General soothing for kids and adults
You can also use this same method with other herbs, such as calendula, which is currently abundant and makes a fantastic all-purpose healing salve.
Chickweed Salve Recipe
(Makes approx. 1 cup of salve)
Step 1 — Make Chickweed-Infused Oil
Ingredients
2 generous handfuls of fresh chickweed
1 cup extra virgin olive oil
Method
Wilt the chickweed:Spread the chickweed on a tray away from direct sunlight and allow it to wilt for 12–24 hours. This reduces moisture and helps prevent mould.
Chop & prepare:Once slightly wilted, finely chop the chickweed and place it into a clean glass jar.
Add oil:Pour in enough olive oil to completely cover the chickweed.
Infuse the oil:Warm gently for 24–48 hours using one of these methods:
Stovetop: Place the jar or mixture in a double boiler on low heat.
Dehydrator: Place the jar inside a dehydrator at 100°C for 24–48 hrs.
Strain:Once the oil turns deep green and smells like chickweed, strain it through cheesecloth and a fine sieve.
Store:Keep the infused oil in a glass jar in a cool, dark cupboard. It will last around 1 year.
Step 2 — Make the Salve
ingredients
1 cup chickweed-infused oil
2 tbsp coconut oil
3 tbsp grated beeswax (5–10 g) — more for a firmer salve
A few drops of essential oil (optional — lavender works beautifully)
Method
Set up a double boiler:Place a heatproof bowl over a small pot of gently simmering water.
Melt:Add the coconut oil and beeswax. Warm until the beeswax is completely melted, stirring gently.
Combine:Pour in your chickweed-infused oil and mix well. Heat for 1–2 more minutes to fully combine.
Finish:Remove from heat and add essential oils if using.
Pour:Immediately pour into clean jars or tins — it will begin to set quickly.
Store:Keep in a cool, dark cupboard.
How to Use Your Chickweed Salve
Use your salve just as you would any natural balm:
Rub onto irritated or itchy skin
Apply to eczema patches
Soothe insect bites
Use as a gentle moisturising balm for children
Add to your family medicine cabinet or give as thoughtful homemade gifts
Final Thoughts
There’s something deeply grounding about making your own herbal medicines. It reconnects you with the plants growing at your feet and gives you the confidence to take simple, practical steps in natural wellbeing.
I hope this guide inspires you to make your own salves check out my book 'Homegrown Healthy Living" for lots more natural product recipes.
🌻 Anna
