Are you experiencing dry, itchy winter skin? Or maybe occasional eczema flairs up for you like it does for me? Well, I’ve got a great moisturizing, soothing salve recipe for you! It’s made from oils infused with red clover and rose petals, plus an essential oil blend that not only smells divine, but packs a powerful healing punch!
You can purchase your red clover infused ointments, but if you make your own, you will 1) save money; 2) enjoy the process & have fun; 3) be assured there are no chemicals or unknown toxins; 4) choose your own scent.
I love herbal salves because they don’t contain the chemicals that commercial skincare products do, AND they work! In addition to these benefits, herbal salves are extremely easy to make.
Here is my recipe for this soothing salve for fall, winter, and early spring time dry, itchy skin due to cold weather and/or eczema. You may also enjoy this Anti-Itch Salve that I just love during the later spring and summer months when the bugs are out!
FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article. If you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
How (and Why) You Should Make Red Clover & Rose Petal Skin Care Salve for Eczema & Dry, Itchy Skin
You may be wondering just why this salve works so well?
It’s all about the herbs and essential oils, which contain medicinal compounds that support the health of your skin.
Why the Ingredients in this Salve Work:
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense):
Red clover is a legume that grows readily in lawns. Many consider it a weed, but it has a long history of medicinal uses, including topical skin care.
According to the National Institute of Health, Red clover contain isoflavones that improve menopausal symptoms, including skin health. This is due to its benefits in enhancing estrogen-like effects in the body. Therefore, taking red clover internally may help mature skin retain moisture and youthful appearance.
However, we are talking about topical use, as far as salve goes. You surely do not want to be eating this (even though you could). If you want to use red clover internally, it’s a wonderful tea. You can tincture it as well, with excellent results.
Used topically on your skin, it can speed healing. It’s also recommended for helping with psoriasis and eczema.
Rose Petals (Rosa sp.):
Everyone loves roses, right?
They have an intoxicating scent that can’t be argued. And they are being increasingly used in modern skincare products as well.
Roses have a long history of medicinal use. In fact, fossil records show they’ve been around for at least 35,000 years! Even as far back as the 1600’s, roses were used in lieu of money.
Rose petals are anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and are filled with antioxidants that benefit skin health. They also help moisture retention and are extremely soothing both to the senses as well as the skin.
Damask roses are the roses most often used in beauty care and medicinal use, however, the wild roses and other species have been proven to be extremely effective as well.
Rose Geranium Essential Oil:
Rose essential oil is extremely expensive. A less expensive alternative that is still highly beneficial is Rose Geranium Essential Oil.
Besides having positive effects on mood and helping alleviate tension in the body, Rose Geranium essential oil is often used to soothe acne and reduce inflammation on the skin. In fact, it’s often touted as one of the number one essential oils for all kinds of skin issues.
Frankincense Essential Oil:
One of my very favorite essential oils, I had to write about it in a great article on the benefits and uses of Frankincense! It’s wonderful for mature, aging skin; and it may even reduce scarring and wrinkling.
You can click through to the article to find out a lot more about beautiful frankincense, the resin that’s been used since Biblical times.
Ingredients for Making Red Clover and Rose Petal Infused Oil:
*** Rose Petals (organic)
*** Red Clover (organic)
*** Olive oil or almond oil
*** Beeswax
*** Frankincense essential oil
*** Rose Geranium essential oil
And you’ll need 2 or 4 ounce tins or jars. I like using these small four ounce jelly jars, or these handy two ounce slide tins.
NOTE: This recipe will make two four ounce jars with an extra 1 to 2 ounces left over. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep those little tins handy too.
I’ll bet you’re wondering:
Where to Source Your Herbs & Essential Oils?
I foraged for both the red clover and the wild rose petals last summer, and after I dried them, I was able to get the infused oil started.
But if you can’t forage or grow your own, no worries! Starwest Botanicals is where I purchase most of my herbal products, and I’ve ordered from them for years. The links above are to Amazon, for your convenience, too.
NOTE: You’ll want to be sure to source organically grown roses and the clover as well. You don’t want pesticides soaking into your beautiful skin!
As for essential oils, I love Rocky Mountain Oils! They even have a line of essential oils that’s perfect for kids!
How to Make Red Clover and Rose Petal Infused Oil:
First of all, you’ll need to infuse your oils with the rose petals and red clover blossoms. Now, this is important: Only use DRIED herbs in your oil. This is because any fresh herb matter will contain moisture which can cause mold. ICK.
There are several ways to infuse your oils, but my favorite one is the slow method. It takes some time, but it’s worth it.
If you don’t have four to six weeks to wait for your oils to infuse, take a look at this article, which explains other methods, including a quick one: How to Make Herb Infused Oil, a complete guide.
Here are the basic steps for making the infused oil the slow way:
1) Add your dried herbs to a pint jar about half-way up. I like to use equal parts red clover and roses.
2) Pour your oil over the herbs and to within about an inch or so of the top of the jar.
3) Shake well. As the herbs absorb the oil, you may need to add a bit more in a day or so.
4) Allow your oil and herbs to steep (infuse) for four to six weeks. I personally like to use a sunny window because the warmth from the sun helps speed and increase the infusing process.
5) Strain out the spent herbs, and enjoy the beautiful infused oil!
NOTE: Both of these infused oils can be used for salad dressings, etc. as long as you are using food grade oils! Double benefit!
Making the Salve
Once your infused oils are ready, it’s time to make your salve. Here are the easy steps:
Step 1) Pour 1/2 cup of each infused oil (for a total of 1 full cup) into a pint sized Mason jar (wide lid is best). Add your beeswax to the oils.
Step 2) Make a double boiler system by placing the pint jar containing the infused oils and beeswax into a pan with about two inches of water.
Step 3) Gently heat the water on low heat. This will in turn heat up the oils and beeswax inside the jar, causing the beeswax to melt into the oils.
Step 4) Once all is melted together, remove from the heat. Add your essential oils and stir really well.
Step 5) Pour this mixture into your jars and/or tins. Allow them to set completely. They will harden into a lovely and useful salve!
Enjoy!
Final Thoughts on Rose Petal & Red Clover Herbal Soothing Salve
I love all the salves I create, but this is one of the favorites! I love this salve for several reasons: it’s SO good for your skin. It’s highly moisturizing and wonderful to use, even on your face, during the cold weather months. Plus, it smells just fabulous!
The scent of this salve is truly a mood lifter! If you don’t want to spend the high dollars on pure rose essential oil, rose geranium is a fabulous alternative that won’t break the bank, and best of all, it’s incredibly good for supporting your skin!
If you try this salve, let me know how it goes for you! I’d love to hear. And if you have questions, please leave comments in the comments section too.
You may also enjoy these related articles:
How to Make Soothing Lavender Salve
How to Make Black Drawing Salve—-An Ancient Miracle
Blend Your Own Rosy Chocolate Chai Herbal Tea (SO Delicious)
There are many, many more articles you’ll enjoy on the blog, too! Be sure to visit Healing Harvest Homestead and browse around!
Would you like to join a fabulously supportive private OFF social media Natural Living community? You can join thousands of natural living members here, for FREE: Healing Harvest Homestead Natural Living Groups.
And, if you are looking for a great herbal course to further your knowledge, the Healing Harvest Homestead School of Botanical Arts and Sciences has courses in herbalism, herbal soap making, and soon, aromatherapy!
Enjoy your self-reliant, natural living journey!
Hugs, Health, and Self-Reliance,
Heidi
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Disclaimer: I am NOT a medical doctor. This article and everything I write or create is for informational purposes only and not meant or implied to treat, cure, prevent or diagnose any disease. Please be sure to seek advice from your medical professional before using herbs or essential oils, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, elderly, or on medications. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.
Resources:
https://www.nattynaturals.com/blogs/news/72952963-the-hip-herb-red-clover
http://www.naturesownherbs.com/ns/DisplayMonograph.asp?storeID=f541321fca7a46f39570f4b746463119&DocID=bottomline-redclover
https://herbs.motherearthliving.com/top-5-herbs-can-use-flawless-skin/
https://www.herbaldynamicsbeauty.com/blogs/herbal-dynamics-beauty/the-many-benefits-of-roses-for-skin
https://draxe.com/10-geranium-oils-benefits-healthy-skin-much/
This article was shared over at the Homestead Blog Hop! Head on over for more terrific homestead-related articles!
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Heidi Villegas, MA, CA, Herbalist
salve, herbal salve, home remedy, red clover, rose petal, healing salve
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