Have you been on the lookout for a natural, gentle solution for pain, inflammation, or just a bit of tender love and care for your skin? Here is a super simple, yet incredibly effective, recipe to create your own cannabis salve at home. Discover their many benefits, from easing aches and pains to kissing goodbye to dry, itchy skin. Plus, with easy alternative options and tips on where to purchase salve, you’re all set for a smoother, more serene skin experience.
Table of Contents
Article Features
- An easy recipe for how to make cannabis salve
- Multiple different infusion options to choose from
- Want to make it easy? Skip the hard work and purchase my cannabis salve or a CBD salve stick – now delivering across the US!
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Cannabis topical products are getting a lot of buzz in my Well With Cannabis Community, and for a good reason!
A salve is an ointment that can promote skin healing and pain relief or be applied as a protective barrier.
A cannabis salve is a salve made with flowers from the cannabis plant, along with other nourishing ingredients, to help moisturize and protect our skin from further damage.
They can be applied directly to the affected area to provide immediate relief from a range of conditions.
In this guide, I will show you how to make a cannabis salve at home in a few simple steps, with multiple infusion options, and show you the many different ways you can customize this recipe to your own personal preferences!
What You’ll Need
- 2 teaspoons beeswax – I recommend using organic beeswax when possible
- 2 teaspoons cacao butter – not to be confused with cocoa butter! You can get cacao butter right online.
- 8 teaspoons cannabis oil – You can use homemade cannabis oil, my Bliss MCT oil, or concentrates. See the alternative infusion section below for details.
- 5-10 drops essential oils – Feel free to use any combination you enjoy. Just be sure to use skin-safe organic essential oils!
- Optional ingredients – Feel free to add optional vitamin E oil or preservatives like potassium sorbate. You can also add camphor or a method for a cooling effect.
Note: a complete list of ingredients with amounts and printable instructions is located in the recipe card below.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- If you haven’t already, the first step is to choose your infusion method of choice. You can find many infusion options listed below. 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 cacao 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 additional 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.
Note: complete step-by-step printable instructions are located in the recipe card below.
Storage Instructions
Many factors can affect the shelf-life of natural salves, including how you infused the cannabis oil and the additional ingredients that you used.
While this may last a long time stored in a glass jar in a cool dark location, it’s best to use it up within a couple of weeks.
If you can’t use it that fast, you may consider refrigerating it to prevent mold.
Alternate Cannabis Infusion Options
As with all things cannabis, there are numerous ways to reach the final result.
For this salve, there are many different infusion options you can choose from to make a product with the best results for you and your needs.
Homemade Cannabis Oil
My salve recipe uses this floral cannabis-infused oil recipe as the base, which allows you to infuse in many other botanical ingredients that contribute to a great final product.
You can choose to use a THC flower, CBD flower, or CBG flower to get the benefit of each particular cannabinoid.
You can also use homemade CBD oil, CBG oil, or CBN oil, depending on the effect you are looking for.
You can easily swap the carrier oil in your homemade infusion. Popular carrier oils include:
- Coconut oil
- Olive oil
- MCT oil
- Avocado oil
- Jojoba seed oil or organic jojoba oil
- Sweet almond oil
- Safflower oil
- Hemp seed oil
- Grape seed oil
Store-Bought Cannabis Oil
You can easily make this recipe with high-quality store-bought cannabis oil like the ones for sale in my shop.
They come in a wide variety of strengths, so it might take some experimentation to find which product works best for your needs.
With this method, you can make a salve with your desired cannabinoids like:
Cannabis Concentrate
Having access to raw cannabis flowers is not always possible, which is why I included the option to infuse this salve with cannabis concentrates.
CBD concentrate is legal in most states and can be purchased online, and THC concentrate can be purchased at a dispensary in a legal state.
Concentrates can come in many different forms, including full-extract cannabis oil, also known as FECO.
In a small syringe, you will get anywhere between 500mg-1,000mg of activated CBD or THC in just a small 1mL volume.
This allows you to create a stronger salve without the excess volume of carrier oil.
If you choose to use a concentrate for your salve, I still recommend making the floral-infused oil, with or without cannabis, as this allows you to infuse in more botanical ingredients.
Benefits of Cannabis Salve
Cannabis topicals have many potential health benefits.
These salves are a great alternative to products containing harsh chemicals or prescription medications, which may have unwanted side effects.
Cannabis salves provide quick, localized relief for pain, soreness, or swelling.
The topical application of cannabis, for external use only, can help:
- Skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis
- Relieve chronic pain from inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
- To soothe sore muscles, muscle aches, and joint pain
- Soothe menstrual cramps
What Conditions Can It Help?
Homemade cannabis salve may help to relieve some of your most unwanted symptoms, like pain, dry skin, itchiness, and more.
Arthritis
Arthritis is caused by inflammation in the joints and often causes pain, swelling, stiffness, and soreness.
Arthritis usually appears in people over the age of 65 and can limit your range of motion, making it difficult to do things you once loved.
Some studies show that topical cannabis can help to relieve these symptoms1.
Cannabis Salve for Skin Conditions
Millions of people in the US are affected by skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema.
Though the causes of these conditions are still not well-understood, some medical professionals believe that they are an immune system reaction.
Cannabis is thought to help bolster our immune system, protecting us from disease while at the same time suppressing unnecessary immune reactions present in auto-immune disorders2.
Minor Injuries
Scrapes, burns, abrasions, and insect bites are an annoying but inevitable part of life.
The itchiness, stinging, and soreness associated with these minor injuries aren’t life-threatening, but they can be distracting.
Cannabis is now being studied for its wound-healing properties, which means cannabis salve may help relieve your discomfort from minor injuries3.
Notes and Expert Tips
- If you’re making this recipe at home for the first time, feel free to experiment with a non-cannabis-infused oil, like calendula oil, to practice the technique. Good luck!
- Before starting, place the jars you plan on filling onto a baking sheet. This will help prevent them from spilling if you need to move them before they solidify.
- One of the first things you should do is sanitize all of your equipment, jars, and utensils that you will be working with. This can prevent any mold or spoilage in the future.
Cannabis Salve Recipe with THC or CBD
Watch The Video
Equipment
What You Need
- 2 teaspoons organic beeswax
- 2 teaspoons organic cacao butter
- 8 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 below. 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 cacao 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! Making a topical cannabis salve at home isn’t for everyone, which is why I am happy to offer my own cannabis salve for sale in my shop. I’ve included ingredients like peppermint and tea tree oil to help open the pores, arnica, and lemongrass to provide deep relaxation, and beeswax and full-spectrum hemp extract to revive the skin. With all-natural ingredients, this salve offers revival and recovery – even if you can never stop moving!
No. While the THC in cannabis is an intoxicating substance, these salves will not have any psychoactive effects because they don’t penetrate the bloodstream. Instead, the compounds found in cannabis, known as cannabinoids, interact with the cannabinoid receptors in your body’s endocannabinoid system.
It is easy to make CBD products at home with CBD flower. This is a good option for those who want all of the benefits of CBD without the excess THC, which is good for some people.
Yes! Transdermal patches are a popular way to medicate. This method holds the product directly onto the skin with small pieces of medical tape. The main difference is how much time the product spends in contact with the skin, increasing the chances that it can be absorbed into the deeper layers of the skin. It is the perfect way to achieve long-lasting relief.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making your own cannabis salve is not just an educational resource but also much fun and a great way to tailor topical applications to your specific needs.
Whether you’re dealing with muscle pain, skin irritation, or just looking for additional ways to utilize cannabis productively, creating your own salve using a slow cooker, or other methods, is a great option.
This step-by-step guide on crafting a CBD salve recipe or a more traditional cannabis salve recipe offers you the freedom to experiment with how much cannabis you use, the kind of oil infusions you prefer, and even the addition of topical lotions to your regimen.
Whether used as a muscle rub or simply to soothe minor irritations, your personal favorite concoction can become a staple in your self-care routine.
Homemade topical remedies like these are a testament to the versatility of cannabis and how it can be a great way to take control of your health and well-being, making your own medicine for a personalized touch.
I’d love to hear about your adventures in salve making! Share your success stories in the comments below and inspire others on their own natural skincare journey.
Thank you for sharing. I made topical oil for pain it is first attempt and your guide is awesome. Pain in knees not completely gone but pain tolerance is better.
Thanks for sharing
Thank you for your feedback, Jamie! We’re so happy the guide was helpful for your first attempt! Even if the pain isn’t completely gone, it’s great that you’re seeing improvements in your pain tolerance. Keep experimenting, and I hope you continue to find relief!
Have you ever added Magnesium to your Cannabis Salve? What are your thoughts on doing this?
Absolutely, GladysMae! I’ve experimented with adding magnesium to my cannabis salve, and I found it to be a beneficial addition. Magnesium is known for its muscle-relaxing properties and can enhance the soothing effect of the salve, making it great for those tense areas. However, like any ingredient, it’s important to ensure it dissolves evenly to maintain the salve’s consistency. 😊 Feel free to try it out and see how it works for you!
Hello , thank you so much for the great information. I’m wanting to make the salve for my grandfathers arthritis. I have a few questions. How to do make the cannabis flower? Do you just put it in a food processor? Also how many milligrams of the are in this recipe? Thank you Rhiannon
Hi Rhiannon! I’m glad you found the information helpful. To make the cannabis flower for your salve, you’ll want to decarboxylate the flower first, which activates the cannabinoids. Using a food processor to break it down further isn’t necessary.
As for dosage, you can use our online calculator to calculate the strength of your salve based on the specific potency of your cannabis. I recommend checking it out for precise calculations. Best of luck with your salve for your grandfather!
Used Cocoa by mistake for salve did I ruin it
Using cocoa in your salve shouldn’t ruin it, Gary! Cocoa can add a nice texture and moisturizing properties. However, if you’re concerned about the effects, you might want to test a small amount on your skin first. Let us know how it turns out!
Can you skip the beeswax and use 100% cocao butter?
Yes JL, you can substitute beeswax with 100% cocoa butter in the cannabis salve recipe. However, keep in mind that cocoa butter has a different texture and melting point, which might affect the final consistency of the salve. It’s worth experimenting to find the right balance that works for you!