DIY: Plantain Salve

It’s amazing how some of the most soothing and comforting ingredients for our skin come straight from the earth. This simple salve -- made with plantain leaf infused in olive oil, blended with beeswax, and finished with a few drops of tea tree oil -- is a gentle, natural way to support the skin's barrier and keep it feeling soft and calm.

These time-honored ingredients have been traditionally used to help moisturize, protect, and maintain the skin’s natural balance -- especially when it’s feeling dry, irritated, or in need of a little extra love.

About the Ingredients

Plantain Leaf

• Often considered a "green bandage" in traditional herbal practices, plantain leaf is cherished for its gentle support of the skin.
• Helps comfort and soothe dry, irritated, or sensitive skin
• Traditionally used to support the skin’s natural recovery process
• Rich in skin-loving compounds like allantoin and flavonoids

Olive Oil

• A nourishing base oil that has been used for centuries in skincare routines.
• Naturally moisturizing and helps soften dry or rough patches
• Supports the skin’s natural barrier
• Full of antioxidants like vitamin E, which help protect and nourish the skin

Beeswax

• Beeswax acts as a natural protective barrier while allowing the skin to breathe.
• Locks in moisture without clogging pores
• Helps shield the skin from environmental stressors
• Gives the salve its smooth, balm-like texture

Tea Tree Essential Oil (Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Used sparingly for its powerful aromatic and skin-supportive properties.
• Offers a clean, refreshing scent
• Traditionally valued for its purifying qualities
• Supports a fresh, balanced environment on the skin

DIY: Plantain Salve

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of dried plantain leaf
• 3.5 oz of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of beeswax pellets
• 15 - 30 drops of tea tree essential oil

Directions

Step 1: Mix the leaf and oil in a jar with a lid on.

Step 2: Place the jar in a pot of hot water for 1 - 2 hours.

Step 3: Remove and strain the infused oil through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth, putting the infused oil in a fresh jar. Compost used herbs

Step 4: Add beeswax pellets to the strained oil and put a lid on it.

Step 5: Place the jar back in hot water until the beeswax is melted. Can use low heat if needed.

Step 6: Remove from heat and stir in 15 - 30 drops of tea tree essential oil.

Step 7: Pour the hot salve into a 4 oz or two 2 oz tins and let cool.

Store in a cool, dry place.

This salve pairs great with Earthley's Anti Itch Soap and Black Drawing Salve!