@jim_t57 &
@emarler
Okay, so this is a compilation of notes. There is room for experimentaion with the amount of beeswax, and additional infused items. I'll bring them up as I go along.
Lemon Balm Recipe
1)
If you don't already have lemon balm growing, there are online sites that sell dried lemon balm. If you go this route, you might also consider calendula flowers or plantain leaves in addition to the lemon balm.
If you do have fresh lemon balm, you're going to want to dry it out. Too much water can spoil the product over time. Take the leaves and spread them out on paper towels for about a week or so, until the leaves are completely dried out.
2)
Take the dried leaves and fill a heat-proof jar (I use mason jars) close to 1/3 of the way. Slowly pour a carrier oil over the leaves until the jar is nearly full. There are multiple oils that will work here. See notes
A) Seal the jar and let it sit for at least a few weeks...I usually do it for four to six when I make it this way...I'd say a minimum of two weeks. You want to move/shake the contents every day or two to help mix it together. This will make it stronger.
B) For a quicker infused oil, don't cover the jar, but instead place it in a small saucepan filled with several inches of water (double-boiler). Heat over a low to medium-low burner for 2 to 3 hours. Don't let it burn...stir occasionally.
Once the oil is infused, strain it...I use cheesecloth. Then, you can store it for 9 months-1 year. Keep it in a cool, dry place. I've kept it in both the refrigerator and cabinets in the past.
3)
To make the salve, I generally use 1 ounce of beeswax per 1 cup of oil. You may use more/less depending on how firm you want the salve to be. It usually ends up somewhere between 3.5-4.0:1 oil:wax
You will need a double boiler again...place a glass or ceramic bowl on top of a pan of boiling water. Gently heat the oil before slowly adding the beeswax. Stir (whisk) the contents well, until you have the consistency you want.
Once it is taken of the heat and had cooled slightly, this is when you'll want to add any essential oils or vitamin E...mix together.
Pour into the containers you want to use, and allow them to cool before sealing. I use small screw-top tins. I store them in the refrigerator. They should easily last a year or more.
NOTES
Almond oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil all work well as carrier oils. Coconut oil is not recommended because it hardens and isn't as easy to apply. I like almond oil, but it's more expensive...I have used olive and sunflower oils with success.
Some people add shea butter. If you do, less oil should be used. It'd be more like 3 parts oil, 1 part butter, and 1 part beeswax.
You may subsitute and/or infuse other remedies. I often add a little calendula oil. Every once in a while, I put small amounts of other things like honey or vitamin E in with the mix. Here are some other possible additives:
Castor oil - for more gloss and ease in application
Tamanu oil - helps skin conditions
Tea Tree oil - antiviral properties
Peppermint essential oil - analgesic/smell enhancement
Clove bud oil - pain relief
Calendula oil - heals skin ailments/antiviral
Honey - sterile/healing properties
You don't need to add very much of any of these remedies, and you'll have to experiment with amounts. Things like clove bud, tea tree, and peppermint only take drops...the rest I'd use teaspoons or tablespoons as measurement, depending on how much you are making.
If you use honey or calendula oil, add it when you are heating/mixing the beeswax and oil together. Use the others once it is taken off the heat.
For containers, you can find some small screw-top ones (metal/plastic) on Amazon or Ebay. Hobby Lobby has some round, plastic screw-top containers for jewelry that will work, but they are a little more expensive
