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Make a homemade drawing salve with this simple recipe. Drawing salve can come in handy for removing splinters, relieving bee stings, and other skin irritations. It is made with natural ingredients, essential oils, and activated charcoal.
Last week we had some beautiful fall weather, so I took my kids apple picking with some friends. Well, one of the little girls went to pick an apple off the ground and was stung by a bee.
I had some lavender in my bag and rolled it on her. Lavender is really good for relieving bee stings and helping with skin irritations.
We then noticed the stinger was still in her. OUCH! The apple orchard had some drawing salve for sale, so my friend bought that and rubbed it on the bee sting.
My wheels started turning. I wanted to make some drawing salve to have on hand. Not only for bee stings but also for removing splinters, soothing skin irritations, and helping with spider bites.
I looked at the ingredients listed on the tin and went home to start experimenting. This salve didn’t have activated charcoal in it, which I knew I wanted to include in mine, so I had to change it up just a bit.
I’m so happy with how this recipe turned out! It works beautifully for minor skin irritations, and it’s a must-have to keep on hand, especially with little kids.
What is Drawing Salve?
Drawing salve is rubbed on the skin topically to help “draw” irritations under the skin out, hence the name. 😉 In some cases, it can provide relief and reduce infections.
I use drawing salve most often for splinters, bug bites, stings, and other minor irritations, but I share a full list of possible uses below.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This recipe is made with eco-friendly, all-natural ingredients. This homemade drawing salve is better for the planet and for you.
- Making your own drawing salve is much more affordable than buying pre-made natural drawing salve.
- It works! I wouldn’t want to be without this salve when the splinters, bug bites, and stings inevitably happen.
Ingredients
- Olive oil: Any liquid carrier oil will work, but I like olive oil because it is soothing and affordable.
- Comfrey: This herb is known for being great for skin irritations and wound healing. Infusing it into the oil effectively passes those benefits on to the salve.
- Plantain: Similar to comfrey, plantain weed (or broadleaf plantain) is a plant with remarkable benefits for the skin and potential wound-healing properties.
- Beeswax: This holds the salve together and thickens it. I chose beeswax for this purpose because it is natural, sustainable, and it can heal skin wounds. It makes a protective barrier on the skin to help keep the area clean and clear of infections.
- Bentonite clay: Bentonite clay is perfect for drawing salve because it is highly absorbent and is known to draw toxins, dirt, and impurities out of the skin. I use it in my homemade bentonite clay mask for these exact reasons!
- Activated charcoal: Activated charcoal is a fine black powder made from bone char, bamboo, wood, coconut husk, peat, petroleum pitch, coal, olive pits, or sawdust. It has superb drawing capabilities when applied to the skin.
- Essential oils: I’m using five different oils that boost the drawing power of this salve. Keep reading to learn about each oil!
How to Make Drawing Salve
The first ingredient in the drawing salve is herb-infused olive oil. This is super easy to make, or you can buy a premade version similar to it. To make it, all you will need is a double boiler, herbs, and olive oil.
Step 1. Add a tablespoon each of loose-leaf comfrey and plantain to the top of a double boiler. I use a glass bowl set on top of a pot of boiling water.
Step 2. Pour 5 tablespoons of olive oil on top and allow it to simmer for 30 minutes to an hour or until the oil is dark in color.
Step 3. Strain the herbs and add the oil back to the double boiler.
Step 4. Add the beeswax and bentonite clay to the double boiler with the oil. Stir until melted.
Step 5. Remove the pot from the heat, allow it to cool slightly, and stir in activated charcoal and the essential oils.
Step 6. Transfer to an airtight container and secure the lid once it’s completely cooled.
How to Use Drawing Salve
Smear just a small amount of the salve onto the affected area.
Wrap or cover it with a bandage to keep the salve in place and to prevent stains.
Leave the salve on overnight and reapply as needed.
Helpful Tips
- I mention this a few times because it’s important: the activated charcoal in this recipe will definitely stain fabrics. Be sure to bandage up the wound so the salve doesn’t smear on couches, pillows, clothes, etc.
- You don’t need to own a dedicated double boiler; a pot of boiling water with a heat-proof bowl set on top will work just as well.
- If you don’t have all of the essential oils, you can just use the ones you do have. You’ll still get lots of great added benefits.
- Feel free to reduce the amount of essential oils for those with sensitive skin.
What Does Activated Charcoal Do?
Activated charcoal can be used in minor cases to pull toxins, infections, and poisons out of the body. In fact, it is an excellent deep pore cleanser, similar to my charcoal soap recipe.
I bought some when we had a spider bite scare, and I decided I would always have some on hand, just in case.
As you can imagine, it is a mess. But if you need it, you won’t be worried about it. We have used it several times, and it will stain the skin slightly, but it goes away eventually.
Anytime we have an unidentified bite, sting, or rash, I will go to activated charcoal. I prefer to use it outside or in the bathtub to cut down on the mess.
Best Essential Oils for Drawing Salve
Several essential oils can be used to help draw irritations out of the skin. I am using a blend of the 5 essential oils listed below in my recipe. You can use one or two, or all of these, to make a drawing salve.
Lavender
Lavender essential oil is good for all things skin-related. I especially love using it because it is such a gentle oil. Lavender can soothe occasional skin irritations and encourage wound healing.
Learn more about lavender in my lavender essential oil highlight.
Tea Tree
Tea tree is another one of my go-tos for skin irritations. It is a very cleansing and purifying essential oil that can help keep the area of concern clean.
Read all about tea tree in my tea tree essential oil highlight.
Frankincense
Frankincense is known as the king of oils and can be used for so many things. It has several benefits for the body and skin.
I made up a clear skin roller bottle with frankincense that I use for any and all skin imperfections, and it is even included on my list of best essential oils for anti-aging.
Frankincense is a must for drawing salve! It can reduce pain and swelling, and it may help prevent infections.
Learn more about frankincense in my frankincense oil highlight.
Clove
Clove is a very powerful essential oil. It has immune-boosting properties, relieves pain, and can keep the skin clean.
Clove is a hot essential oil and should not be applied to the skin without being diluted.
Basil
Basil essential oil is found in my homemade anti-itch cream, and it is one of the best for bug bites. My poor husband got into a chigger nest, and believe me when I say he was covered in chigger bites.
Basil was his best friend.
Crushed-up basil leaves have been used to reduce swelling and pain from bites and stings for many years.
Instead of using fresh basil leaves, I use basil essential oil. It is easier and takes way less to be just as effective!
Drawing Salve Uses
This salve is intended for external use only. It is generally safe to use on teenagers and adults.
If using on someone who is prone to sensitive skin, you may want to test it on the soles of the feet first and reduce the amount of essential oils.
Here are a few things the drawing salve can help with:
- Splinters
- Stingers
- Bug bites
- Ingrown toenails
- Ingrown hairs
- Boils
- Warts
- Skin tags
Frequently Asked Questions
It will take at least several hours for it to work. In some cases, you may need an additional application.
Yes, though there is only a little charcoal in this recipe, it will stain everything it comes in contact with. That’s why I recommend wrapping it in a bandage to keep the salve contained.
Related Content
- Dandelion Salve Recipe
- Homemade Skin Salve
- Homemade Burn Salve
- How to Make Calendula Oil
- Simple Tallow Balm Recipe
If you tried this Homemade Drawing Salve or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Drawing Salve
Equipment
- Double Boiler
- Cheesecloth or similar for straining
Ingredients
- 5 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon loose leaf comfrey
- 1 teaspoon loose leaf plantain
- 2 tablespoon bentonite clay
- 2 teaspoon beeswax
- 1 tablespoon activated charcoal
- 25 drops essential oil, I am using 5 of each: lavender, melaleuca, frankincense, clove, and basil
Instructions
- Add the olive oil and loose-leaf herbs to the double boiler. Simmer for 30 minutes or until the oil is dark in color.
- Strain herbs off the oil with a cheesecloth. Discard herbs.
- Place herb-infused oil back into the double boiler along with the clay and beeswax, stirring often until melted.
- Remove from heat and allow it to cool slightly before whisking in activated charcoal and essential oils.
- Transfer to an airtight storage container. Allow the drawing salve to cool entirely before securing the lid.
Video
Notes
- The activated charcoal in this recipe will definitely stain fabrics. Be sure to bandage up the wound so the salve doesn’t smear on couches, pillows, clothes, etc.
- Drawing salve should be left on for several hours. Additional applications may be necessary, too.
- You don’t need to own a dedicated double boiler; a pot of boiling water with a heat-proof bowl set on top will work just as well.
- If you don’t have all of the essential oils, you can just use the ones you do have. You’ll still get lots of great added benefits.
- Feel free to reduce the amount of essential oils for those with sensitive skin.
I only have fresh comfrey and plantain leaves. Would it be the same amount? Thank you
I have not made it that way so I am not sure!
Can I order a drawing salve from you ? If so. How much would it cost & how many ounces is it ? Thx.
I don’t make the products to sell; I only share the recipes.
Thanks for the recipe. Where do I purchase the ingredients at?
I have everything I used linked in the blog post.
What is the recommended shelf life for the drawing salve?
6 months to a year
This worked so well! Thanks for sharing
I am so glad!
Amazing! How much is made with your recipe? Is it one or two ounces or more? Thank you!
I am inspired to “make my own” homemade Drawing Salve to be incorporated into my daily life/use.
I stumbled upon your website just because I looked up the ingredients for Smile’s PRUD Homeopathic Drawing Salve that I had purchased at a CVS Longs general store here in Hawaii.