Homemade Calming Salve: Lavender, Chamomile, Mugwort & Frankincense

Creating your own salve allows you to harness the potent benefits of botanicals tailored to your personal needs. Today, I made an herbal-infused oil containing lavender, chamomile, mugwort, and Damascene rose, and strained it overnight. The next day I added beeswax and a specific combination of essential oils of lavender and frankincense to create a salve that nurtures both the body and the mind. Let’s break down the therapeutic bodily benefits and scent virtues of this custom salve, illustrating how each ingredient contributes to a mood-altering balance of wellness.

Herbal-Infused Oils: Lavender, Chamomile, Mugwort, Damascene Rose

1. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

   • Bodily Benefits: Lavender-infused oil is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. It soothes irritated skin, accelerates wound healing, and alleviates muscle tension and soreness.

2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

   • Bodily Benefits: Chamomile-infused oil offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits, making it effective for calming sensitive skin, reducing redness, and easing muscle discomfort.

3. Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris)

   • Bodily Benefits: Mugwort-infused oil possesses analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties, aiding in the relief of muscle pain, joint stiffness, and promoting overall skin health.

4. Damascene Rose (Rosa damascena)

   • Bodily Benefits: Damascene rose-infused oil is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, which nourish the skin, improve hydration, and support cell regeneration. It also helps in reducing the appearance of scars and fine lines.

Essential Oils: Lavender and Frankincense

1. Lavender Essential Oil

   • Scent Virtues: Lavender's floral aroma promotes relaxation, reduces anxiety, and enhances sleep quality by interacting with the limbic system in the brain.

2. Chamomile Essential Oil

   • Scent Virtues: The sweet, apple-like scent of chamomile fosters a sense of calm, alleviates stress, and supports emotional balance.

3. Frankincense Essential Oil

   • Scent Virtues: Its rich, resinous aroma fosters mental clarity, emotional stability, and a grounded sense of peace.

Application Tips for Maximum Benefits:

1. Targeted Areas for Application:

   • Temples: Alleviates tension headaches and promotes relaxation.

   • Neck and Shoulders: Reduces muscle stiffness and eases stress accumulation.

   • Upper Back: Relieves upper body tension and improves circulation.

   • Wrists and Pulse Points: Enhances aromatherapy benefits throughout the day.

   • Chest and Solar Plexus: Promotes emotional balance and deep relaxation.

   • Feet: Provides full-body relaxation and supports reflexology benefits.

   • Face and Jaw: Soothes facial tension and aids in headache relief.

2. How to Apply:

   • Massage Gently: Rub the salve between your hands to warm it before application.

   • Use Circular Motions: Apply to the targeted area using gentle, circular massaging to enhance absorption and promote blood flow.

   • Breathe Deeply: The proximity to the olfactory receptors allows the soothing scents to directly engage the limbic system located in the brain, promoting relaxation.

Recipe for the Stress Less Calming Salve

Ingredients

> 2 ounces of herbal-infused oil - Lavender, Rose, Chamomile, and Mugwort
> 1 tablespoon beeswax pastilles
> 24 drops Lavender essential oil + 12 drops of Frankincense

Directions

1. Melt beeswax in double boiler
2. After melted, remove from heat and stir in infused oil.
3. Stir in essential oils.
4. Carefully pour into container to store.
5. Wait until fully cooled and hardened before using.
6. To use, collect a small amount and apply as needed.

This recipe makes 3 ounces and fills approximately 1, 2oz jar.

If you love the smell of lavender, then I highly recommend trying this recipe. It makes a great gift too!