Cannabis Salve Recipe: An Easy-to-Follow DIY Guide

cannabis salve with leaf

If you're someone with a knack for health-focused DIY creations, this might pique your interest. Cannabis salve, a simple, natural remedy, can be a game-changer in your health regimen. Made at home with just a handful of ingredients, this potent little potion could provide relief from everyday ailments, allowing you to indulge in the benefits of cannabis minus the "high." 

Not only are cannabis salves a natural solution to alleviate various skin conditions, but they're also simple and fun to prepare at home. Armed with some cannabis oil, a few basic kitchen essentials, and a little patience, you can make your own therapeutic ointment right in your kitchen. 

This article serves as your step-by-step guide to crafting your homemade cannabis salve. Prepare to be amazed, not just by the straightforward process but also by the extensive benefits this homemade remedy can offer. 

What is Cannabis Salve?

Cannabis salve is a topical application made from cannabis-infused oils and beeswax, coconut oil, or shea butter. It's a form of cannabis product that is applied directly to the skin rather than being inhaled or ingested.

Cannabis salve is designed to provide localized relief, making it ideal for treating specific areas of the body. It's often used to alleviate pain, inflammation, and skin conditions, among other health issues. The active ingredients in cannabis salve are cannabinoids, primarily THC and/or CBD, which interact with the body's endocannabinoid system to produce their therapeutic effects.

Unlike other forms of cannabis, salves don't produce a "high" as they do not enter the bloodstream. Instead, they work by penetrating the skin and binding to CB2 receptors located throughout the body.

Cannabis salves are typically easy to make at home, requiring only a few ingredients and simple cooking equipment. The process involves cannabis oil or decarboxylated cannabis and, infusing it into a carrier oil, and then combining it with beeswax or coconut oil to create a semi-solid product.

Uses for Cannabis Salve

Cannabis salves may offer a multitude of benefits, including:

  • Pain and inflammation relief
  • Healing of minor cuts and burns
  • Soothing skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis
  • Improve skin elasticity

    The topical application salve stands out because it can concentrate the therapeutic effects of cannabis exactly where you need them without the psychoactive effects usually associated with consumption. 

    Additionally, the moisturizing elements of coconut oil or beeswax are nourishing in their own right, healing dry or cracked skin. Some salve recipes include essential oils, which supplement the salve with aromatherapy benefits.

    Homemade cannabis salve recipes may be effectively used to treat a variety of conditions, depending on the strain used to infuse the cream, including:

    • Eczema
    • Inflammation
    • Pain
    • Psoriasis
    • Arthritis
    • Muscle aches and soreness
    • Carpal tunnel
    • Skin irritation

    a jar of lavender salve with lavender flowers next to it

    SHOP CANNABIS SALVE

    How to Make Cannabis Salve

    The key ingredients for making homemade cannabis salve include cannabis, a carrier oil, beeswax, and essential oils. Before you jump into the recipe, however, there are important factors to consider when assembling your cannabis salve ingredients.

    Choose your carrier oil

    The carrier oil, which could be coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, or another oil of your choice, is used to dilute the cannabis and essential oils and make it easier to apply to the skin. Hemp seed oil is another natural option, but a potential downside is that it spoils quickly. You need a carrier oil to safely deliver any essential oils, vitamin E, and cannabis oil into your skin.

    Step 2: Choosing your wax

    Beeswax is a solid option for your salve that emulsifies well. A vegan alternative is candelilla wax, but if you use another wax, be careful to adjust measurements to achieve the desired consistency.

    Step 3: Calculating dosage

    Dosage is a crucial step in the cannabis salve recipe process. When using a premade oil, use the measurements provided on the bottle to determine your desired potency. 

    For example, say you have our 1000mg CBD oil bottle, which contains 30 servings of 33.3 mg of CBD per serving. If you want to make a 2 oz size of cannabis salve with 300 mg of CBD per ounce, you'll want 600 mg total in the salve. This means you'll add 18 dropperfuls (600 mg) of our CBD oil to your mixture.

     

    natural cbd oil tincture on a pedestal

     

    SHOP CBD OIL

    Step 4: Adding essential oils and other cannabinoids

    Another way to improve the healing power of your cannabis salve is to add other cannabinoids, such as THC, CBN, or CBG. THC in skincare products has the added benefit of not making users high and adding analgesic benefits into the mix by muting pain sensations. Use a similar premade oil and some simple math to dose your balm precisely. 

    Many also like incorporating essential oils into their mix. These oils can enhance the inherent advantages of both CBD and other cannabinoids, especially if you're utilizing full or broad-spectrum oil.

    Homemade Cannabis Salve Recipe

    Ingredients

    • 30 ml carrier oil (coconut or olive oil)
    • 15g of beeswax or candelilla (grated or in pellets)
    • 18 ml EVN CBD Oil 1000mg
    • 2 oz glass jar
    • 4 – 6 drops essential oils of choice (Optional)

    Steps

    1. Start by blending the wax and the carrier oil in a double boiler. Gently allow them to melt together over a moderate heat setting.
    2. When combined, take the mixture off the heat. Now, it's time to gradually incorporate the CBD oil and your chosen essential oils. Stir everything until you get a well-blended mixture.
    3. Next, you must carefully transfer this mixture into a 2oz glass jar or any other receptacle that can withstand the hot mix. Be patient and allow it to cool to room temperature before proceeding to the next step.
    4. Once cool, cap the salve with a lid and stash it in a darı, cool place. It's now ready to be used whenever you need it.

    The Bottom Line

    And there you have it, your homemade cannabis salve. This simple and natural remedy is ready to be added to your wellness routine. Whether you're soothing achy muscles or nourishing dry skin, your cannabis salve is a handy tool to have in your health kit.

    FAQ Time!

    Hey awesome people! I know that after reading about the magic of creating your own cannabis salve, you’ve probably got a bunch of questions swimming around in your head. Fear not, I've got you covered with some quick answers to keep you rolling smoothly on your DIY adventure.

    What essential oils are good for cannabis salve?

    There’s a whole universe of essential oils out there, and when it comes to pairing them with cannabis salve, it’s all about what vibes you’re going for. Want to relax? Lavender is your go-to. Need a pick-me-up? Citrus oils like orange or lemon can be a zesty choice. For pain relief, eucalyptus and peppermint oils are fab options. Mix and match to find what sings to your soul!

    Can I make my own CBD salve?

    Absolutely! Swap out the THC-rich buds for high-CBD strain or hemp if you’re leaning towards the non-psychoactive benefits. The process stays pretty much the same, and you end up with a salve chock-full of CBD goodness, perfect for tackling soreness without the high.

    How do you make homemade salve?

    The basics boil down to:

    1. Decarbing your cannabis (THC or CBD-rich, your call!), or you can just use a pre-made oil
    2. Infusing it into a carrier oil.
    3. Straining out the plant material.
    4. Melting in some beeswax to get the consistency right.
    5. Mixing in any desired essential oils for extra magic.
    6. Pouring it into a container and letting it set. Voilà!

    How much beeswax for cannabis salve?

    A good rule of thumb is to use about 1 part beeswax to 4-5 parts of your cannabis-infused oil. This should give you a nice consistency that’s not too hard but firm enough to hold its shape. Feel free to adjust a bit if you like your salve softer or more solid.

    There you go, my DIY-loving friends! Armed with this info, you’re more than ready to take on the world of homemade cannabis salves. Experiment, enjoy the process, and don’t forget to share your masterpiece with the world (or at least your closest pals). Happy crafting!

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