Have you been looking for a natural way to soothe sore muscles or nourish your skin? Making your own cannabis-infused balm is a simple and rewarding process that allows you to customize it to your specific needs. This guide will walk you through each step, giving you all the tools you need to create a high-quality, homemade balm.

Why You Will Love This Guide

Why Use a Cannabis-Infused Balm?
Balm vs. Salve

What You’ll Need

Essential Oil Pairing Suggestions:

Step-by-Step Instructions
Ways to Use Your Balm
Basic Cannabis-Infused Balm Recipe Recipe

Bonus Tip for Customization
Why Start Your Own DIY Cannabis-Infused Balm Journey?

More Topicals You Will Love

Why You Will Love This Guide

Balms are incredibly versatile and a staple for soothing and healing—whether you’re targeting sore muscles, nurturing dry skin, or simply looking for a tool to relax.

A balm is a solid ointment designed for topical use, made from oils (and sometimes beeswax) to nourish your skin.

Today, we’re taking it a step further by creating a cannabis-infused balm that combines the therapeutic benefits of essential oils with the potential advantages of cannabis.

Not only is this balm easy to make, but it also provides a great introduction to the wonderful ways cannabis can support your wellness goals.

Why Use a Cannabis-Infused Balm?

Cannabis balms are ideal for topical relief because they allow you to experience the benefits of cannabis without feeling any psychoactive effects (no, you won’t get high!).

The cannabinoids like THC and CBD in cannabis interact with the receptors in your skin to provide targeted relief. Here are a few ways a cannabis-infused balm might benefit you:

Relieve sore muscles and joint pain: CBD and THC have anti-inflammatory properties that may ease tension and discomfort when applied directly to the skin.
Soothe irritated or dry skin: Cannabis is known for being rich in antioxidants, which can support hydration and promote skin healing.
Provide relaxation: Pairing cannabis with calming essential oils like lavender can enhance your sense of relaxation during moments of stress or before bedtime.

Balm vs. Salve

While balms and salves are often used interchangeably, there are slight differences between the two. Balms typically have a firmer consistency due to a higher concentration of beeswax or similar ingredients, making them ideal for localized application without being greasy. Salves, on the other hand, tend to have a softer and more spreadable texture, allowing for easier coverage of larger areas. Both are excellent for delivering targeted relief, but your choice might depend on how you prefer to use the product. Get my recipe for cannabis-infused salve here.

What You’ll Need

The ingredients needed to make a cannabis infused balm.

1/4 cup of shea butter
1/8 tsp (approximately 12-13 drops) essential oil (more on your options below!)
1/4 tsp cannabis concentrate or cannabis oil (ensure it’s decarboxylated if you want active cannabinoids like THC or CBD)

Note: a complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card below.

Essential Oil Pairing Suggestions:

Pick your essential oils based on your intended use or desired benefits. Here are some ideas to play with:

For muscle relief: Peppermint, ginger, rosemary, cedarwood
To soothe burns or irritation: Lavender, chamomile, rose
For dry, thirsty skin: Sandalwood, geranium, chamomile
To ease congestion: Eucalyptus, tea tree, rosemary
For ultimate relaxation: Lavender, chamomile, ylang-ylang

Step-by-Step Instructions

An image collage with the first four images needed to make a cannabis balm.

Prepare a double boiler with water in the bottom pan and place it over low heat.
If you haven’t already, the first step is to choose your infusion method of choice. You can find many infusion options listed above. If needed, prepare your cannabis oil ahead of time.
Once the water is boiling, add the beeswax and shea butter to the top portion of the double boiler and allow them to melt completely.
Once they have melted, add in the prepared cannabis oil mixture and essential oils. Stir until all of the ingredients are well combined.

Step 5 – If you are planning on adding a cannabis concentrate or any other ingredient, stir it in now and mix until everything is well combined. Then turn off the heat.
Step 6 – Carefully transfer the hot liquid to a small glass jar or storing vessel of choice. You can use a pipette to make this easy.
Step 7 -Allow the balm to cool to room temperature and then cover tightly with the lid.
Step 8 -Store your balm in a cool dark place until ready to use.

Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.

Ways to Use Your Balm

Cannabis-infused balms are for external use only. To use it, simply scoop a small amount with clean fingers, warm it between your palms, and massage it into the target area. Here’s how it can come in handy:

Muscle tension: Apply to sore or stiff areas, like your shoulders, neck, or back for relief after a workout or a long day.
Dry hands and feet: Massage into cracked or dry areas to soothe and replenish moisture.
Massage oil alternative: Enjoy deep relaxation with a self-massage or partner massage using the comforting glide of your balm.
Spot-treatment for irritation: Apply to small burns, bug bites, or areas of redness for calmness and repair.

Basic Cannabis-Infused Balm Recipe

By Emily Kyle, MS, RDN, HCP

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Create your own cannabis-infused balm with this easy DIY guide! Learn the benefits, customization tips, and how to craft a soothing, personalized product at home.

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Equipment

What You Need

▢ 4 teaspoons beeswax
▢ 2 teaspoons shea butter
▢ 4 teaspoons cannabis-infused oil
▢ 10 drops essential oil of choice
▢ 1 mL cannabis concentrate optional

Instructions

If you haven't already, the first step is to choose your infusion method of choice. You can find many infusion options listed above. If needed, prepare your cannabis oil ahead of time.
Prepare a double boiler with water in the bottom pan and place it over low heat.
Once the water is boiling, add the beeswax and shea butter to the top portion of the double boiler and allow them to melt completely.
Once they have melted, add in the prepared cannabis oil mixture and essential oils. Stir until all of the ingredients are well combined.
If you are planning on adding a cannabis concentrate or any other ingredient, stir it in now and mix until everything is well combined. Then turn off the heat.
Carefully transfer the hot liquid salve to a small glass jar or storing vessel of choice. You can use a pipette to make this easy.
Allow the salve to cool to room temperature and then cover tightly with the lid.
Store your salve in a cool dark place until ready to use.

Notes

Additional ingredients: Feel free to add optional vitamin E oil or preservatives like potassium sorbate. You can also add camphor or menthol for a cooling effect.

Measurements: Melting the beeswax and cacao butter before measuring will ensure a more accurate measurement, I melted them in separate mason jars in my double boiler before measuring.

Essential oils: Choose based on personal preference; you can use camphor, eucalyptus, capsaicin, etc. Just be sure to use skin-safe oils!

Do you have a question or need help?Join hundreds of members inside private Well With Cannabis Community for help, support, and to share your edible creations!

Bonus Tip for Customization

Feel free to adjust the recipe to fit your unique needs!

If you live in a warmer climate, consider incorporating a small amount of beeswax to ensure your balm stays solid.

Don’t have access to cannabis concentrate?

You can still create a wonderful balm using just shea butter and essential oils.

Why Start Your Own DIY Cannabis-Infused Balm Journey?

Making your own balm is empowering—it gives you complete control over the ingredients and allows you to create a product that’s personalized to your needs. Plus, it’s incredibly satisfying to know you made it yourself!

Happy creating! And if you’d like to learn more about incorporating cannabis into your wellness routine, check out the guide for expert tips, guides, and community resources.

What will you use your cannabis balm for? Share your creations or questions in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you! 🌿