Create Your Own Comfrey Salve: A Natural Approach to Skin Care
Updated: Sep 7
Homemade herbal salves are one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to preserve the benefits of your favorite herbs. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has been treasured in traditional herbalism for centuries. It is commonly infused into oils for external skin care preparations.
Whether you're making your own comfrey-infused oil from dried herbs or using our ready-to-use Evans Organics Comfrey Massage Oil, this recipe creates a rich, smooth salve that's perfect for your herbal medicine cabinet.
Note: Comfrey is traditionally used for external use only. Follow current safety recommendations regarding comfrey and avoid applying it to deep or open wounds.
Why Make Your Own Comfrey Salve?
Making your own salve allows you to:
Control every ingredient
Customize the consistency
Avoid unnecessary fillers
Enjoy a simple, natural skincare project
Create thoughtful handmade gifts
Ingredients
If Making Your Own Infused Oil
2–3 cups dried comfrey leaf
8 oz carrier oil (olive oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, etc.)
Follow your preferred infusion method (traditional, warm, or alcohol intermediary) until you have 8 ounces of strained comfrey-infused oil.
Comfrey Salve Recipe
Ingredients
8 oz comfrey-infused oil
1 oz beeswax pellets
1 oz shea butter
1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil
Optional
A few drops of lavender essential oil for fragrance
Equipment
Double boiler
Heat-safe glass measuring cup
Stirring spoon
Small tins or glass jars
Kitchen scale (recommended)
Instructions
Step 1: Warm the Oil
Pour the 8 ounces of infused comfrey oil into the top of a double boiler. Heat gently over low heat. Avoid overheating the oil.
Step 2: Add Beeswax
Slowly stir in 1 ounce beeswax pellets. Continue stirring until completely melted.
Step 3: Add Shea Butter
Once the beeswax has melted, stir in 1 ounce shea butter. The shea butter melts quickly and gives the salve a silky, moisturizing texture.
Step 4: Remove from Heat
Take the mixture off the heat. Allow it to cool for 2–3 minutes.
Step 5: Add Vitamin E
Stir in 1 teaspoon Vitamin E oil. Vitamin E acts as an antioxidant that may help slow oxidation of the oils and can contribute to the overall skin feel of the finished salve.
Step 6: Pour
Immediately pour the liquid salve into clean tins or glass jars. Allow it to cool completely before placing lids on the containers.
Finished Yield
This recipe makes approximately:
Four 2-ounce tins
Two 4-ounce jars
Eight 1-ounce tins
How to Store
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. When made with fresh ingredients and stored properly, your salve can last many months. Shelf life depends on the freshness of the oils and butter used.
Want to Skip the Infusion Step?
If you'd rather skip making infused oil from scratch, we've made it easy. Simply substitute:
Our massage oil is already infused with premium indoor-dried comfrey and is ready to use for homemade salves. Just warm the massage oil and follow the recipe above beginning with Step 2. It's a great option for beginners or anyone who wants to save time while still creating a high-quality handmade salve.
Tips for Success
✔ Use completely dry herbs when making infused oil.
✔ Heat gently—high temperatures can reduce the quality of the oil.
✔ Test consistency before pouring by placing a few drops on a chilled plate. If it's too soft, add a little more beeswax. If it's too firm, add a little more infused oil.
✔ Label each batch with the date it was made.
Why We Choose Indoor-Dried Comfrey
At Evans Organics, we believe exceptional salves begin with exceptional herbs. Our comfrey is:
🌿 Harvested in small batches
🌿 Carefully dried indoors away from UV light
🌿 Protected from dust and pests during drying
🌿 Packaged promptly for freshness
🌿 Labeled with the harvest date
By protecting the herbs from sunlight and environmental exposure, we help preserve their natural quality for your herbal projects.
Final Thoughts
Making your own comfrey salve is a satisfying project that combines traditional herbal preparation with simple, wholesome ingredients. Whether you choose to infuse your own oil or start with our ready-made Evans Organics Comfrey Massage Oil, you'll end up with a rich, nourishing salve that's easy to make and enjoyable to use as part of your regular skincare routine.
The Benefits of Herbal Salves
Herbal salves offer a range of benefits. They can soothe dry skin, provide relief from minor irritations, and even help with muscle soreness. The natural properties of comfrey make it particularly effective for these purposes.
Embracing Natural Remedies
In a world filled with synthetic products, embracing natural remedies can be a refreshing change. By making your own salves, you take control of what goes on your skin. You can feel good about using products that are free from chemicals and additives.
A Craft to Share
Creating herbal salves can also be a wonderful activity to share with friends and family. Consider hosting a salve-making party. Gather your loved ones, and enjoy the process together. You’ll not only create beautiful products but also memories that last a lifetime.
Happy crafting! 🌿
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