The Best Burn Salve
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Discover the ultimate relief with The Best Burn Salve, a natural remedy that soothes and heals with natural effectiveness. This DIY will help you craft a potent salve that’ll become your go-to for quick and comforting burn recovery.
The Best Burn Salve
Homesteading can be rough on a person with all of the physical labor and chores that are rough on the body. Even if one is very careful, things still happen, and thus, the invention of this Best Burn Salve!
This salve is also great for when you figure out you are burning toys on the bottom of your frying pan and need to get them off before the house burns down. Not that I would know about that first-hand…. 🙂
This is a fairly simple DIY recipe to mix up and will keep for many months in a cool, dry place. Here’s how to mix it up.
The Best Burn Salve Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Raw Honey (Where to Buy)
- 1 Tablespoon Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (Where to Buy)
- 1 Tablespoon Aloe Vera (Where to Buy)
Whip the mixture together with a spoon or even with the electric hand mixers. Store in a small glass jar.
When you need to use it, first cleanse the area with raw Apple Cider Vinegar. This will help restore vitamins and minerals to the skin and the natural pH balance. (Source)
After cleansing the area with apple cider vinegar, apply the Burn Salve. Cover in gauze to keep the salve concentrated so the burn can heal. Of course, do not use this on burns that require medical attention.
Raw Honey is a pretty amazing thing. Studies have proven it to be effective in healing burns and other skin issues. If you want to learn more about how to use honey, check out our article on the Uses for Honey.
This formula also works great for those really bad sunburns as well, so you may want to make up a slightly larger jar for the summer!
Have you ever used honey for healing burns? Has it worked for you?
Merissa Alink
Merissa has been blogging about and living the simple and frugal life on Little House Living since 2009 and has internationally published 2 books on the topic. You can read about Merissa’s journey from penniless to freedom on the About Page. You can send her a message any time from the Contact Page.
This recipe for the Best Burn Salve was originally published on Little House Living in March 2014. It has been updated as of March 2024.
I think we need a post about the toys and the frying pan 🙂
I think this salve will have many uses with the combo of coconut oil and raw honey. Thanks
I totally am making this stuff to have on hand! I actually have all the ingredients all the time, so it’s going to be a staple for our first aid kit, too!
Everyone know not to put butter on a burn, but olive oil is basically the same thing (especially when mixed with an adhesive like honey!). It constricts the flow of air and thus stunts healing, and can actually bring foreign matter into the wound. You’ll notice that the over-the-counter stuff (as undesirable as it might be) is an absorbent type lotion, not one that “locks up” the burn.
I’m not sure what you mean Becky, there isn’t olive oil in this recipe?
Just to wade into the butter/oil/burn debate… (Re minor burns only)
First job is to get the heat out of the burn using plain old Cold water from a tap. At that stage butter is not a great plan… But once you’ve done the basic first aid stuff that is when fats are useful…
After a burn of any kind, the skin loses it’s barrier function (that is it’s ability to retain water, heat etc). Fats help the skin retain moisture and can help with the healing process of minor burns. Lotions, ointments and salves are all part of a spectrum of potions. In very simple terms they only vary in terms of fat content (with lotions generally being an emulsion containing an oil/water mixture).
Merissa and Becky you are both right, just in different ways.
(Personally I’ll be giving the mixture a go…)
I’m still really quite confused…I didn’t recommend olive oil or butter in my post above? For anything that you might be planning on using…simply look into the healing properties/qualities before you use it. Coconut Oil, raw honey, and aloe vera are all beneficial in healing soothe and heal burns, I’m sure there are others out there as well.
You’re not confused….lol! It’s really a great recipe!
olive oil can make your burns worse yes but its coconut oil you can even use grape seed oil or hemp oil in this recipe the honey is an antioxidant and an antibacterial it does not clog because it does not remain thick on the skin . It warms and spreads smoothly and aloe helps restore vitamin c and another antioxidant it takes the heat away from the area. over the counter can have ingredients not technically good for the skin and cause drying or rashes, this method is eco friendly its cheaper for supplies with a wide variety of uses. Im sure there is over the counter derm tested lotion if you prefer. this recipe is quick for me to whip up in desperate needs when the store isnt an option or someone needs a quick burn relief especially being raised around a bunch of roudy boys always getting hurt.
I think I would make a burn salve out of vitamin A, vitamin E, aloe vera, very little coconut oil & small amount of honey. I would think more like 1/4 cup aloe, 1 tbsp of Vitamins A & E, & maybe 1 tbsp of the honey & coconut oil. Rosehip & calendula are very good for skin repair. So, maybe 1 tbsp of that also. I am going to try this recipe & see if it works. This is just what I would put in it I think. But, you did give me a good idea. Thank you & I enjoy your website.
LAURA
I didn’t know to rinse with apple cider vinegar, thanks for the tip!
I wouldn’t know about toys in frying pan toys in the oven though… 😉
I have used the same homemade burn salve except I used comfrey oil instead of aloe vera. My grand daughter had a deep burn on the back of her hand from hot wax. We used the salve with comfrey oil and it healed in two weeks with no scar!
I use equal amounts of comfrey root powder, raw honey, and wheat germ oil on all burns. Get the heat out first, apply and wrap. Keep it wrapped. No scars. Recipe is from Dr. John R. Christopher, School of Natural Healing.
This is going to be bookmarked!
I just found your site today and am now following along your journey. Thanks for blogging. I know it’s a huge commitment but it’s appreciated by little ol’ readers like me!
Georgia
When I was little my grandma would cut a piece of aloe off her aloe vera plant and mash it up with a bit of honey, then gently put some on my sunburns. It worked wonders! I would imagine the addition of coconut oil would be an added soothing benefit. Thanks for the recipe. I think if Becky had read a bit closer she would have realized your recipe calls for extra virgin COCONUT oil NOT extra virgin olive oil. 😉
Fantastic to find this burn salve! Question: how long can it be stored? Thank you!
I’ve stored this for many months without having issues with it.
We love raw honey for burns, I bet this is amazing!
I remember as a young teenager getting really sunburned at a car wash fundraiser we were doing. When I got home, I got into the tub & mom covered my burns with honey. It totally removed the burn! Also about a year or so ago, I accidentally placed my hand on a hot burner; out came the honey! The fingers hurt like crazy, but I could feel the burn being drawn out by the honey. The healing process was much quicker!
Amen to honey! That was crucial in healing a bad 2nd degree burn on my son’s hand. You can read exactly what we did to help him heal naturally here. http://americanfamilynow.org/?p=2140.
Have wanted to live on a farm again, we left when I was a little girl. Have had my hopes us all these years, but I guess that this is not going to happen. Sixty four is a little too old to get these things done. I am so glad to read about your adventures. Thank you for sharing, and I am wishing you well.
The simplest thing we use for minor burns is to spray it with windex.take’s the sting right out.
I just had a very positive experience with organic raw honey. I got a 3rd degree burn on my hand (area effected hit the upper burner in oven).I tried for 7 days cleaning applying burn salve and covering with a bandage…no avail continued to ozz and looked very irritatied. Day 8 I used organic honey. That evening before I went to bed. When I awoke the next morning it had started to heal ! Within 5 days of using the honey 2x a day I had a completely healed wound! Totaly amazing. Other than the red area where the burn was I have NO SCARE to speak of. I daily use organic coconut oil to keep the area moist & soft. Also after a 3rd degree burn it is important to cover skin when in the sun. I use a Tommy copper glve to keep the sun off it.
When I went to the doctor, I told her how as a diabetic I was concerened to use honey on a wound. She reasured me that diabetics can use honey (topical wounds) It will not effect the Blood Sugar.
Also egg whites are now being used by first responders in our area for burns as a first line of defince agqinst bacteria invasion.
So Yes Honey works great and it sure saved me a ER bill of $$ double digit #’s.
Great recipe! I’m going to whip some up today and leave it in the kitchen. Thanks for your posting and keep up the good work. We appreciate it!
what form is the aloe? from plant leaves, gel, or juice? I’ve used the ACV, aloe, and honey each for burns, but not the combination. I’ll definitely give a try!
The kind I use was a liquid but you could use any of the above and they would work the same 🙂
Well ! Now I have problem. I was just directed to your site a few minutes ago and am thoroughly enjoying what your site.
My problem is that I have to be up and out of the house in 5 hours and there is so much more to read. Oh well I can sleep when I’m dead.
Thanks for a terrific site with sooooo much info. I can’t wait to try some of your recipes and share some of my own
/Blessings
I think that’s a good problem to have 🙂 I hope you find lots of things you find useful here!
Wow I’m making this soon. Wish I had had it this morning. Don’t know what I was thinking when I put a mug of water in the microwave. I heated it for one minute so I could warm up my thermos. I grabbed it and burned one finger so bad. I hava huge blister and it hurts. I have everything but the aloe Vera. Thanks for posting this.
I’ve found that lavender oil really helps take the pain out of superficial burns. I don’t know why it works, but it sure does for me! 🙂
Do you know if fresh from the plant aloe can be used, or will it cause the salve to go bad quickly? I have a huge plant that I use for burns as needed.
You can use fresh aloe but yes, it will tend to last a shorter amount of time and you will want to store it in the fridge.
Is it best to store this in the refrigerator? Also, you said yours keeps for several months. Should I take that to mean no more than around 6 months? Thank you.
I do like to keep this in the fridge because of the aloe vera in it. It may last longer than 6 months, so far I haven’t had it around long enough to test that.
I am putting together a collaborative post about herbal remedies to have in a 72-hour kit and I would like to include this post. Can I use one of your pictures and link back to the article?
Yes you can Shelle, and you can find all our sharing post guidelines here. Thank you for sharing and thinking of me!
For the aloe Vera can I use fresh aloe Vera straight from the plant?
Yes you can, just keep in mind that it might go bad faster so you may want to make a smaller amount.
What is the purpose of the coconut oil. I’m a paramedic and a nurse and even we were taught never ever to put oil or butter on a burn. Is it just to give it a bit of solidity? If so that could be achieved with a little bit a beeswax couldn’t it?
I keep lavender essential oil in my kitchen and apply to any burn with instant results . No blistering and little if any scaring . Used it on a hot spot on my dog and she stopped paying attention to it and it stopped oozing and dried up it right up . Have combined it with organic honey and propolis as well and works great on blisters and cold sores
I realize the purpose of the purchased aloe gel could extend the shelf life of this salve. But, I have three full grown aloe plants, specifically purchased for burns, and am wondering if fresh aloe would hurt the recipe? I am curious to your thoughts.
Fresh aloe would be great in this recipe! It just may not last as long on the shelf. To extend the life of the product as long as possible you may want to store in the fridge.
Is there something I can use instead of aloe vera.
love your salves.
for my question, do we keep in a refrigerator to keep it well if not then how long do they stay ‘safe’ for?
I store these in a cool, dry place and they stay good for several months.
Add 20 drops of lavender essential oil! Lavender is absolutely AMAZING for burns as well!
Im a student we have kind of the same experiment but I have a question: Did it work succesfuly? If so, can you give details?