Cannabis is not just recreational but also medicinal. It comes with natural compounds that can help you deal with a variety of medical and health conditions like pain, anxiety, and stress. And to consume medicinal cannabis, there are different products you can use. One of these is the lowly but potent cannabis salve. This is a cannabis salve recipe guide to help you make your potent products at home. 

Why Use Cannabis Salves?

Salves are in the form of creams, balms, and ointments. It’s very effective in a variety of medical conditions because it combines two therapeutic components: 

1. Cannabis salves have potent cannabis compounds
   Salves are made from powerful cannabis compounds THC or CBD. These natural components of weed have amazing therapeutic properties. THC can help relieve chronic pains including muscle pains and joint pains. THC can also help promote wellness and freedom from stress and anxiety. Meanwhile, CBD is a highly-therapeutic cannabis component that helps deal with many conditions like pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and depression. Salves are pure forms of cannabis compounds and thus, you’ll reap the amazing effects of these compounds minus side effects. 

2. Cannabis salves are applied using pressure or massage
   Salves are applied to the affected area using your hands, fingers, and palms. In using cannabis salves to deal with muscle pain for instance, you apply a liberal amount of the product on the affected area and use your fingers and hands to move it around. Applying salves using firm and even pressure also improves blood circulation in the area allowing therapeutic components to reduce inflammation and pain. 

A simple Cannabis Salve Recipe

Now that you know how salves work and how it can help you deal with different medical conditions, it’s time to learn a simple salve recipe. Note that this salve recipe will make 2 cups of cannabis salve.

You Need the Following:

• 7 to 10 grams of decarbed weed
• 5 grams of non-decarbed weed or raw weed
• 1 and ½ cups of coconut oil
• 1/3 cup of olive oil
• 1/3 cup of beeswax in pastilles form
• Essential oils (you can choose from peppermint, tea tree oil, lavender oil, lemon, rosemary, eucalyptus, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon of vitamin E oil
• Double broiler or a make-shift hot water bath
• A piece of cheesecloth
• A mixing bowl – Pyrex bowl
• Baking pans
• Parchment paper
• Salve tins or colored glass jars with covers
• Cooking thermometer or probe thermometer

Instructions: 

1. Decarb Your Weed

Decarbing is “baking” raw weed in a 200 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30 to 45 minutes to enhance the action of THC. Pre-heat your oven while preparing your weed. 

Cut or grind weed using a grinder. When done, place a sheet of parchment paper on a baking tray. Scatter weed on the tray to ensure even decarbing. Halfway through, use a spatula to turn the marijuana for even cooking/ baking. When decarbing is done, remove the tray from the oven and let these cool on the counter. 

2. Heat the Coconut Oil

Use a double boiler or a water bath to heat the carrier coconut oil. Place the oil in a glass mixing bowl and place hot water on the other. Place the smaller glass bowl in the bigger bowl with hot water and let the oil heat up. Use a clean spatula to slowly stir the oil. Use a cooking thermometer or probe thermometer to ensure that the oil maintains a temperature of 250 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3. Mix All Ingredients

As soon as the oil is warm enough, add the olive oil, vitamin E oil, and essential oils. Use a spatula to mix the oil and other ingredients. In a separate pot, heat the beeswax pastilles until you get a smooth and creamy liquid. Add the melted beeswax to the oil mix and stir with a spatula once more. When all the ingredients are evenly matched mixed, remove the bowl from heat and allow this to cool down. Add the decarbed weed and the non-decarbed weed in. Stir completely using a spatula. 

4. Strain with Cheesecloth

When the mixture is cool, strain it using a cheesecloth. Place a cheesecloth over the mouth of a mixing bowl. Slowly empty the mixture through the cloth. When the liquid has passed through and the solid particles are on the cloth, collect the edges of the cloth and squeeze any remaining liquid. This is a pure liquid salve. 

5. Whip it Up

Salve will dry easily, while it’s still semi-solid use a spatula to whip the mixture up. With quick easy movements, whip the mixture until you get a nice and even consistent with no bubbles or visible air pockets. 

6. Store Your Salve

As your salve cools down, clean and sterilize your containers and caps. Wipe these dry and scoop the semi-solid salve in. Wait until the salve is completely cool before you cover. You can keep freshly made salve at room temperature for days. To enhance its shelf life place the containers inside the fridge or in a dry cabinet or cupboard. 

If you find the finished product cracking or it’s just too dry, you can add more essential oils or beeswax. Melt beeswax pastilles and mix the liquid wax to the salve. If the salve is too runny or oily, remove the cover and just let it dry. 

Some Tips to Use Salves

Use cannabis salves on the skin with no cuts, irritation, or redness. When using salves for muscle pain and strain, warm the salve first before you apply on the affected part.  

You can add different fragrances and flavors to the mix. Flavors like flowery, lime, citrusy, and fruity flavors may help you relax, reduce stress and anxiety.  Use salves as aromatherapy. You can also prepare salves of different flavors and use a particular one that matches your mood for the day. This cannabis salve recipe is so simple even anyone who has never made DIY salve before can do it. Always be careful when handling hot oil and observe safety as you prepare your DIY cannabis products.