How to Make a Simple Herbal Balm at Home

Hello Healers!

Herbal balms are one of the easiest and most practical ways to begin working with herbs at home. They’re simple to make, shelf-stable when stored properly, and useful for everyday topical applications.

Today we’ll walk through a beginner-friendly herbal balm using dried peppermint and chamomile infused into raw coconut oil, then thickened with soy wax to create a smooth, easy-to-apply balm.

This recipe is designed to make approximately one 8 oz mason jar of finished balm.

This method uses a regular stovetop and a stainless steel pot — no double boiler, no solar infusion, and no essential oils.

What You’ll Need

• 1/4 cup dried peppermint

• 1/4 cup dried chamomile

• 6 oz raw coconut oil (the kind solid at room temperature)

• 2 oz soy wax

• Stainless steel pot with lid

• Fine mesh strainer

• Cheesecloth

• One clean 8 oz mason jar or equivalent container

Always use fully dried herbs when making oil infusions to reduce the risk of moisture and spoilage.

Step 1: Infuse the Oil

Add the raw coconut oil to the stainless steel pot and warm it gently until partially melted.

Once the oil begins to liquefy, add the dried peppermint and chamomile.

Place the pot on the stovetop over low heat and keep the temperature around 200°F.

Important guidelines:

• Keep the pot covered during infusion

• Stir every 5–10 minutes

• Do not allow the oil to boil

• Infuse for approximately 3–5 hours

• If boiling begins, remove the pot from heat immediately, lower the temperature, and continue once stabilized

Low, steady heat helps extract the herbal properties into the oil without overheating the preparation.

Step 2: Strain the Herbs

Once the infusion is complete, place a cheesecloth over a fine mesh strainer and carefully strain the herbs from the oil.

Using both together helps catch smaller plant particles and creates a smoother finished oil.

Press gently to remove as much infused oil as possible.

At this stage, you now have an herbal-infused oil that can be used as-is or turned into a balm.

Step 3: Add the Soy Wax

Return the infused oil to the pot and add the 2 oz of soy wax.

Stir gently over low heat until the wax fully melts into the oil.

This ratio creates a softer, smoother balm that spreads easily across the skin.

Step 4: Pour and Cool

Carefully pour the finished balm into your clean 8 oz mason jar while still warm.

Allow the balm to cool completely before placing the lid on the container.

As it cools, the mixture will firm into a smooth herbal balm.

Why These Herbs?

Peppermint is traditionally used in topical preparations for its cooling and refreshing qualities.

Chamomile is often included in skin and body care products because of its gentle and soothing nature.

Together, they create a simple herbal balm often used as a comforting muscle rub after physical activity or long days.

Making herbal balms at home is a practical way to begin learning traditional herbal preparations. With only a few ingredients and simple equipment, beginners can create useful herbal products while becoming more familiar with the process of herbal infusion.

Until Next Time!