Beeswax Salve Uses

Beeswax provides a base for a variety of salves and other cosmetics due to being a natural material, inexpensive and readily available. The active ingredients of a beeswax salve are almost always herbs, oils and organic extracts. These salves can be used to treat a variety of topical ailments ranging from nicks and cuts to joint pain. Some beeswax salves can also aid in the healing of minor burns and prevent infection. Beeswax needs to be refined of any impurities first before it can be used in any personal care product.

Hand Salves

• Hand salves are typically intended for use on dry hands. To use hand salve, scoop a small portion of hand salve from a jar, then warm in the palm of the hand before spreading evenly. These environmentally friendly alternatives to petroleum-based hand lotions are often infused with scents such as lavender, lilac, sandalwood and eucalyptus. There are also specialized cuticle salves which are thicker and contain more oils to aid in the healing process of cuticle tears.

Beeswax Salves for Pain Relief

• According to the Medicine Hunters website, infusing a basic beeswax salve with either comfrey or arnica will lend anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties, thereby reducing the pain associated with swelling from joint sprains and muscle strains. Calendula, a species of common garden marigold, can also be used for pain relief and the reduction of inflammation, according to Stoney Mountain Botanicals' Wildroots website.

Salves for Minor Scrapes and Cuts

• Salves intended to aid the healing process of small cuts and scrapes need to have a few special properties; most importantly, they need to be able to prevent infection. According to the Wildroots website, herbal infusions such as chaparral, chickweed and burdock root are all suitable for antiseptic uses. There are also two other important properties to consider when choosing or making a healing salve: improved healing rate and pain reduction. For pain reduction, herbal infusions of Solomon's seal, chamomile and arnica are ideal. Solomon's seal has been reputed to have an effect of quickening bruise healing. Arnica has a reputation as a very strong pain reducer and chamomile is suitable to ease itching.