How to Make Pine Needle Salve: Preserving the Essence of the Beautiful Pine

How to Make Pine Needle Salve: Preserving the Essence of the Beautiful Pine

A Quick Note Before We Begin: Ethical Foraging Matters

Before we dive into the fun of making pine needle salve, I want to take a moment to talk about something super important—ethical foraging. As much as I love using natural ingredients, it’s crucial that we source them in a way that respects and protects the environment.

When gathering pine needles for this recipe, the most sustainable and ethical approach is to seek out trees that have recently fallen due to natural causes (like snow load, wind, or storms) or branches from trees that have been pruned. This way, you’re not harming living trees or disrupting their growth. Taking large quantities of pine needles from healthy, living trees isn’t in alignment with the wildcrafting code of ethics, which emphasizes leaving nature as undisturbed as possible.

By foraging responsibly, we can enjoy the gifts of nature while ensuring they’ll be around for generations to come. Okay, now that we’ve got that covered, let’s get to the good stuff! 🌲

How to Make Pine Needle Salve: A Natural Remedy for Your Skin

I made this recipe for you!  It's in the Free Sample Apothecary.  Boreal Healing Tallow Balm (2oz tin) – Kootenay Woman

I used tallow as the primary ingredient and beeswax as the supporting solid ingredient.  The recipe below calls for beeswax but you can swap it out for tallow too. 

Hello Wildcrafters! Today, I’m super excited to share something that’s been a game-changer in my natural skincare routine—pine needle salve. Yes, you read that right! Pine needles aren’t just for holiday decorations or forest hikes; they’re also packed with benefits for your skin.

This salve is a must-try, and once you master it, you can swap and mingle oil infusions to your heart's content.  You'll be sharing handcrafted balms with friends and family before you know it. It’s easy to make, smells amazing, and works wonders for your skin. Let’s dive in and I'll show you how you can whip up your own batch at home.

Why Pine Needles?

Before we get into the how-to, let’s talk about why pine needles are so special. Pine needles are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, and natural antiseptic properties. This makes them great for soothing dry, irritated skin, promoting healing, and even providing a little aromatherapy boost. Plus, they smell like a walk through a forest—what’s not to love?

What You’ll Need

Making pine needle salve is surprisingly simple, and you only need a few ingredients:

  • Fresh pine needles (about 1 cup, chopped)

  • Carrier oil (like olive oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil—1 cup

  • Beeswax (about 1-2 ounces, depending on how firm you want your salve)

  • Essential oils (optional, for added fragrance—I love lavender or eucalyptus)

  • A double boiler (or a DIY version with a heatproof bowl and pot)

  • Cheesecloth or fine strainer

  • Jars or tins for storing your salve

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pine Needles
    Start by gathering fresh pine needles. Make sure they’re clean and free of dirt or debris. It's ok if they're not "dried", but do make absolutely certain that no water droplets (from the snow or the rain) remain.  You don't want free moisture floating around during the infusion process.

  2. Infuse the Oil

    1. Place the separated and dried pine needles into a large jar (quart sized or larger) and cover them with your carrier oil. Set the jar(s) onto a sunny, warm windowsill (or a warm countertop in the winter) for 1-2 days, to allow the gentle warmth of the sun or the proximity to your kitchen stove to kickstart the infusion process.  Gently reverse the jars once or twice daily to allow all of the components to blend and prevent too much settling. You want to gently warm the oil to extract the goodness from the pine needles to begin the process.  2. After the initial 1-2 day "warm start" period, place the jar in a room temperature cabinet out of direct sunlight.  Allow it to infuse for at least 2 weeks (up to 8 weeks for stronger potency).

  3. Strain the Oil
    Once the oil is infused, strain it through a cheesecloth or fine strainer to remove the pine needles. You should be left with a beautifully fragrant, greenish oil.

  4. Add Beeswax
    Add the infused oil to a double boiler, and warm gently and slowly.  At this point you may add the beeswax. Heat until the beeswax is completely melted. The more beeswax you add, the firmer your salve will be. Start with 1 ounce and adjust to your preference.

  5. Optional: Add Essential Oils
    If you’d like to enhance the scent or add extra benefits, now’s the time to stir in a few drops of your favorite essential oils.

  6. Pour and Cool
    Carefully pour the mixture into jars or tins and let it cool completely. As it cools, it will solidify into a smooth, creamy salve.

How to Use Your Pine Needle Salve

This salve is incredibly versatile! Here are a few ways to use it:

  • Moisturizer: Perfect for dry hands, elbows, or feet.

  • Healing Balm: Apply to minor cuts, scrapes, or irritated skin.

  • Lip Balm: Keep a small tin in your bag for chapped lips.

  • Aromatherapy: The fresh, woodsy scent is so calming—use it as a natural pick-me-up.

My Personal Experience

I've been experimenting with different slow- infusion wild ingredients all my life, and this is one of my favourite recipes.  It's a simple and wholesome way to preserve the essential goodness of the beautiful pine: aroma, colour and all!

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a simple, natural DIY project that’s both fun and functional, pine needle salve is the way to go. It’s a great introduction to herbal remedies, and once you try it, you’ll want to make it a staple in your home.

So, what do you think? Ready to give it a try? Let me know in the comments if you make your own batch—I’d love to hear how it turns out!

Until next time, stay radiant! 🌲

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