Homemade salve bars are one of the most charming DIY creations you can add to a gift basket or self-care set — simple, natural, beautifully scented, and deeply personal.
These Botanical Salve Bars from infusiast and content creator Alison Cooksey (@cookseyfarms) come together using just a few ingredients infused in the LĒVO II+, making them an easy, accessible project for both beginners and seasoned makers.
Made with coconut oil, beeswax, and a trio of herbs — comfrey leaf, safflower, and sage leaf — these bars melt smoothly into the skin and make a thoughtful addition to wellness-themed gifts, stocking stuffers, hostess baskets, or handmade holiday bundles. Their compact size also makes them travel-friendly and visually beautiful when molded into LĒVO’s Herb Block trays.
What Is a Salve Bar?
It’s the consistency. Salves contain no water, which is why they are much thicker and firmer than a standard cream or lotion. Some people also may refer to a salve bar as a lotion bar. This water-free composition is a huge benefit, as it means the formula doesn't require synthetic preservatives, keeping your homemade creation as pure and natural as possible.
Key Components of a Salve
A typical salve is made from a few essential components:
- A Fatty Base: This forms the foundation, usually a carrier oil like olive, coconut, or almond oil. The oil is most often infused with beneficial botanicals (like calendula, chamomile, or arnica) to extract their medicinal and aromatic properties.
- A Wax: Most commonly beeswax (or a plant-based alternative like carnauba wax), which is melted into the infused oil. The wax gives the salve its solid, 'bar-like' or semi-solid texture and creates a protective barrier on the skin.
- Active Ingredients: These are the potent additions, which can include essential oils (such as lavender or tea tree for scent and healing), vitamins (like Vitamin E for antioxidant benefits), or rich butters (like shea or cocoa butter for extra moisturizing).
Why Botanical Salve Bars Make a Perfect Handmade Gift
There’s something undeniably special about gifting something you’ve made with your own hands. These salve bars feel artisanal and luxurious, yet they require only a few simple ingredients and a hands-off infusion thanks to the LĒVO II+.
They’re ideal for:
- Self-care sets
- Holiday baskets
- Stocking stuffers
- Hostess gifts
- Farmer’s market–style bundles
- DIY spa kits
Once poured into molds and wrapped in little tins or organza bags, they have that “boutique apothecary” feel — but crafted right at home.
The Infusion: Bringing Scent & Color Into the Oil
The base of the salve is made by infusing coconut oil with comfrey leaf, safflower, and sage leaf. These herbs have been traditionally used in botanical body care for their pleasant aroma, natural color, and long history in herbal craft. Using the LĒVO II+ ensures a consistent, even infusion at a low temperature, allowing the botanicals to slowly release their properties into the oil.
The creator uses a simple ratio:
- 3 parts coconut oil
-
1 part beeswax
The beeswax helps the finished bars keep their structure while giving them a smooth, glide-on texture.
Turning the Infusion Into Salve Bars
Once infused, the warm oil-and-beeswax mixture is poured directly into the LĒVO Herb Block trays, which are the perfect size for handheld bars. As the mixture cools, it firms into solid salve bars that pop out easily and hold their shape beautifully.
The result is a creamy, portable bar that melts on contact with the skin and is easy to apply to dry areas, elbows, hands, or anywhere you want a little botanical moisture.
How to Gift Your Botanical Salve Bars
Part of the beauty of this DIY creation is how easy it is to package them. A few options:
- Slip the bars into small organza bags
- Place several in a decorative metal tin
- Tie them with twine and tuck into a holiday gift basket
- Pair with bath salts, teas, or handmade soaps
-
Add a handwritten label or ingredient tag
It’s a simple handmade gift that feels intentional, warm, and perfect for the winter season.
LĒVO Tools Featured in This Recipe
- LĒVO II+ — for gentle, precise infusions
- Power Pod or Potency Pod — for holding additional herbs during infusion
- Herb Block Trays — ideal for molding salve bars
-
Coconut Oil + Beeswax — a simple and customizable salve base
Final Thoughts
These Botanical Salve Bars are a wonderful example of how easy and enjoyable it is to transform everyday ingredients into something handcrafted and meaningful. Whether you’re gifting them or adding them to your personal self-care routine, the combination of coconut oil, beeswax, and infused botanicals makes for a beautiful seasonal craft — and the LĒVO II+ makes the process effortless.
Get the Full Infused Botanical Salve Bar Recipe
Find step-by-step instructions, infusion details, and measurements here:
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