Elderflower & Rosehip Salve

Elderflower & Rosehip Salve Recipe

This salve features elder flowers, which are an old-fashioned remedy for softer, more evenly toned skin. Elder flowers are also traditionally used to heal scrapes, scratches and wounds, and as a treatment for dry skin.

I like to include rosehip seed oil in this salve, for its well known effectiveness against scarring, wrinkles and signs of aging.

The rosehip seed oil is optional though; if you don’t have any or don’t want to include it, just use more elderflower infused oil in its place.

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Straining Elderflower Infused Oil

Elderflower Infused Oil

To make elderflower salve, you’ll first to need to make an infused oil.

To do so, fill a canning jar about 1/4 full of dried elder flowers and pour your favorite oil over them until the jar is almost filled. (I like sunflower oil best, but you can use sweet almond, apricot kernel, olive or another type of oil if you prefer.)

For a quick infusion: Set the uncovered jar down into a small saucepan filled with a few inches of water. Heat over a low burner for one to two hours, keeping a close eye that the water doesn’t evaporate out. Remove from heat and strain.

For a slower, more traditional infusion: Cap the jar of dried elder flowers and oil and tuck away in a cabinet for around 4 to 6 weeks, shaking occasionally as you remember to. When the infusing time has passed, strain.

For an alternative option: You could place the jar of elder flowers and oil in a sunny windowsill for several days to a week to jump start the infusion. (Don’t store for long periods in sunlight though, as it tends to fade flowers and herbs over time.)

Elderflower & Rosehip Salve Ingredients

Ingredients for Elderflower Salve

For best results, use a scale to weigh the ingredients. If you don’t own a scale, it may be helpful to know that 3.5 oz (99 g) of oil is roughly 1/2 cup, 0.5 oz (14 g) of beeswax is around 2 tablespoons loosely packed pastilles, and 0.5 oz (14 g) rosehip seed oil is around 1 tablespoon.

If you don’t have elder flowers at home, you can purchase high quality dried flowers from Mountain Rose Herbs. I also love and use their rosehip seed oil.

Freshly poured elderflower & rosehip salve

How to Make Elderflower Salve

Combine the elderflower infused oil and beeswax in a heatproof container, like a canning jar or pyrex pitcher. Set the container down into a pan filled with a few inches of water, forming a makeshift double boiler.

Place the pan over low heat until the beeswax melts. Remove from heat and stir in the rosehip seed oil. If you have a favorite vitamin E that you like, you can squeeze the contents of a capsule into the salve to help lengthen shelf life.

You can also add a few drops of essential oil, such as lavender or rose, if you’d like your salve to be scented.

Pour into tins or jars and allow to cool completely. This recipe fills around one 4-ounce tin.

To Use Elderflower Salve

Apply a thin light layer to hands, face and throat at night. This salve is best suited for those with dry and/or mature skin.

Elderflower and Rosehip Salve Recipe

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author, herbalist, soapmaker

Jan Berry is a writer, herbalist, soapmaker, and bestselling author of The Big Book of Homemade Products, Simple & Natural Soapmaking, and Easy Homemade Melt & Pour Soaps. She lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains with her family and a menagerie of animals, where she enjoys brainstorming creative things to make with the flowers and weeds that grow around her. You can also find her writing about gardening and foraging over at her family's website: UnrulyGardening.com!

24 Comments

  1. How much Elderflower will I need to purchase to fill the canning jar 1/4 full?

    Thank you!

      1. Do I need to dry the elderflower first before making the infused oil for the salve?

        1. Hi Jessica! Yes, it’s a good idea in most cases to make infused oils with dried herbs.
          This helps minimize the chance of the oils spoiling or developing mold.
          To air dry elder flowers, I just spread them out in a single layer over a dish towel, paper towel, or drying screen.
          Let them air dry a few days and they’re good to use!

  2. I love, and create, natural products. Thanks for sharing the Elderflower and rose hip salve. I have to give this one a try. I have very dry skin. Thats what started me on my soap journey. I enjoy reading your newsletters. Thanks for taking the time to create and share. Janice, Uptown Girl Soap

  3. I love your website! thank you for being so easy to follow. I’m a beginner and I’m loving your recipies

  6. I made the elderflower and rosehip salve last night after wsiting patiently for 6 weeks for the infusion. It was such a delight to make this i look forward to using and dhring it with family. I added 6 drops each of Rose, Lavendar and Frankincense EO s to mine. Thanks for the great recipe.

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  9. Will any variety of elderberry flower work or does it have to be the sambucus nigra (I think that’s what your pics show, with the white flower. Thanks!

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  12. Hello! Would you recommend this specifically for the lines we get on our neck as we age (chicken neck). Or any other formula? Thanks

    1. Hi Nina! Yes, I think this could be nice for rubbing on your throat too. Anything with rosehip seed oil should be very nice for aging skin. :)

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