It seems as though everyone I know either has a child in diapers or is pregnant, including my sister who is due to give birth any day! So, it seemed fitting for me to make something for babies from the Introductory Herbal Course that I’m taking from the The Herbal Academy. This course has been a wealth of knowledge for me, and the herbal recipes that are included all look amazing. Trying to avoid all the nasty chemicals in traditional medicine is important for all of us, but especially for babies and children. For instance, regular diaper rash creams can sometimes contain questionable ingredients that you wouldn’t want to put on your sweet little one.
But, when I saw the recipe in my course for an herbal diaper rash salve, I knew that’s what I should make to share with all the beautiful new mamas surrounding me!
Herbal Diaper Rash Salve
This recipe is actually quite simple, as long as you have infused herbal oils on hand. The more I progress in my herbal studies the more I realize how important it is for you to have these oils at the ready. Then, whenever you need to make a salve or cream with specific herbs, you can just reach for the oil that you need and whip it up in no time.
Herbal Diaper Rash Salve Ingredients
Here is what you will need to make this herbal diaper rash salve:
- 1 cup of infused calendula oil – I actually used a mixture of calendula and lavender oils.
- ¼  cup beewax
- 1 Tbsp marshmallow root
- 1 Tbsp chickweed
- 1 Tbsp comfrey root
- 1 tsp barberry root powder
- tins or jars to store the finished salve
The recipe in the course calls for sweet almond oil mixed with 8 drops lavender essential oil instead of the infused oils like I used here, so you could definitely use that instead. I really think the the healing qualities of calendula are beneficial in this salve, however, and since I already had infused lavender oil I decided to use that instead of the essential oil.
Calendula and comfrey root are some of the best healing herbs there are, actually promoting the growth of new skin cells. Marshmallow, chickweed and barberry are all soothing for the skin and are antimicrobial.
Of course, all of these herbs are generally regarded as safe for use with babies and children, but please check with your pediatrician before use, and always do a test spot on the little ones hand or arm first to be sure there won’t be any sort of reaction.
How to Make Herbal Diaper Rash Salve
First put the infused oil into a pot on low heat with all of the herbs. You do not want to cook the herbs, just warm the oil slowly and extract the herbal goodness.
Let that infuse for about 10 minutes, keeping it on low heat, then add in the beeswax.
Stir it around occasionally until the beeswax completely melts.
Then strain out the herbs through a cheesecloth into a glass (pyrex) measuring cup, or something similar. Work quickly now as the beeswax will start to harden once it’s taken off the heat.
Then pour the strained oil/beeswax mixture into jars or tins for storage. I used three 4 oz sized tins.
Once the tins were full the salve looked to be a dark brown color from all of the herbal goodness.
As it cools the beeswax will solidify the salve and turn it a lighter color.
This recipe uses a higher ratio of beeswax to oil than my normal herbal salve recipe, and that’s because beeswax acts as an effective natural shield for the baby’s bottom from diaper wetness.
Combine that with the healing herbs and you have one powerful, yet natural product that can heal and protect against diaper rash.
Homemade herbal products are not only cheaper than store bought, but fun to make. Plus, it’s nice to know exactly what you are using on yourself and your family, especially the little ones. Learning about herbs is the first step in the process to you your own natural health, so I can’t recommend enough taking any of the Herbal Academy’s Herbal Courses. I have absolutely loved my journey to herbal independence, and I think you will, too!
Herbal Diaper Rash Salve
Ingredients
Calendula Infused Oil
- ½ cup dried calendula flowers
- 1 cup carrier oil
Herbal Diaper Rash
- 1 cup calendula infused oil
- ¼ cup beeswax
- 1 Tablespoon marshmallow root
- 1 Tablespoon chickweed
- 1 Tablespoon comfrey root
- 1 teaspoon barberry root powder
Instructions
Calendula Infused Oil
- Make the infused oil by adding the flowers to a pint-sized mason jar.
- Completely submerge the flowers with the carrier oil.
- Cover and allow to sit in a sunny window for month.
- Strain out the flowers, reserving the oil for your diaper rash salve.
Herbal Diaper Rash Salve
- First put the infused oil into a pot on low heat with all of the herbs. (You do not want to cook the herbs, just warm the oil slowly and extract the herbal goodness.)
- Let that infuse for about 10 minutes, keeping it on low heat, then add in the beeswax. Stir it around occasionally until the beeswax completely melts.
- Strain out the herbs through a cheesecloth into a glass (pyrex) measuring cup, or something similar. (Work quickly now as the beeswax will start to harden once it’s taken off the heat.)
- Then pour the strained oil/beeswax mixture into jars or tins for storage. I used three- 4 oz. tins.
Notes
- Recipe times do not include calendula oil infusion time of 1 month.Â
Thank you for sharing your recipes , can I make this diaper rash salve with store bought ess. Oils ? Thank you
Hi Robin, you don’t want to use essential oils in a diaper rash salve because they are too strong to use on a baby’s skin. Infused herbal oils like what is called for in the recipe are much more mild and nourishing for the skin.
My daughter is having twins so I can’t wait to make this! Is there a reason that you add the beeswax before straining the herbs out? I’m new to this so was just wondering if you can add the beeswax after straining?
Hi, can this be used to heal minor cuts and scrapes?
Yes, this is excellent as a minor wound balm!
Another question. How long will this last in a basic tin jar?
Salves will keep for up to a year if kept in the refrigerator. Not nearly as long if kept in a warm location because the oils will eventually go rancid. You can tell by the smell.
Lovely recipe. I have recently had skin breakouts and was sent for 3rd level allergy skin patch testing with a medical allergist.. Am exceedingly allergic to calendula family, tea tree oil, lavender, among other things. An herbalist friend had been supplying me with wonderful salves, and one or more of these were in each. Since stopping their use, my skin has healed. It took six months to do so, though, and the only oil I’ve used since, has been organic coconut oil. So, warning: not all skins can take some of the beautiful herbs/florals that most people’s skin can take and benefit from. Use a tiny bit, on a single spot on your babe’s skin for two weeks, before using on more skin, and especially on skin with rash.