A simple herbal salve to soothe itching, swelling, and irritation from bites and stings. This DIY bug bite balm is one of those remedies I never leave out of my herbal toolkit during the warmer months.

When summer hits, so do the bug bites. This DIY bug bite balm is one of my go-to remedies for soothing itching and calming the skin after a mosquito bite, bee sting, or any other minor skin irritation.

These herbs work together to reduce inflammation, pull out toxins, and support healing. Blended into a nourishing oil and finished as a balm with beeswax, this is one of those herbal staples I keep in my bag all summer long!

I have always struggled with bug bites, and nothing seemed to help my itches. It feels unbearable sometimes, so I researched all the best herbs to help with itch relief. I wanted something that would calm the itch but also support skin repair without harsh ingredients.

And I found it! After using this homemade bug bite balm, I finally found relief. So I wanted to share my recipe with you so you can have relief too!

Here is my bug bite balm recipe along with the benefits and reasons why I used each herb.

Benefits of Each Ingredient

Here are just a few of the benefits for each of the ingredients I chose to include in this recipe:

Plantain: Astringent and soothing, helps draw out toxins and reduce itching. Great for minor skin irritations.
Calendula: Promotes skin repair, reduces inflammation, and soothes sensitive or damaged skin.
Chickweed: Cooling and anti-inflammatory, traditionally used for itchy skin conditions and rashes.
Carrier Oil: Helps extract herbal properties and moisturizes skin. Olive and almond oil are both gentle, nourishing choices.
Beeswax: Helps solidify the balm while creating a light protective layer on the skin.
Essential Oils (optional): Lavender or chamomile can add calming, anti-inflammatory benefits and a pleasant scent.

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DIY Bug Bite Balm Recipe

Now, here is my simple DIY bug bite salve recipe so you can make one too!

Ingredients

Plantain leaves (dried)
Calendula (dried)
Chickweed (dried)
Carrier oil (I used avocado oil)
1/2 cup infused oil
1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax
10 drops essential oil (optional, I used lavender and chamomile)
Two 2 oz tins

Instructions

Fill a clean jar with equal parts plantain, calendula, and chickweed.

Cover with carrier oil, making sure all herbs are submerged.

Infuse for 6 weeks in a sunny windowsill or warm spot, shaking occasionally. Strain when ready.

Melt 1/2 cup of your infused oil with beeswax in a double boiler.

Once melted, let cool slightly before stirring in essential oil if using.

Pour into tins and let set overnight or until fully solid.

Notes & Tips

Balm too hard? Remelt and add a bit more infused oil.
Too soft? Add a little more beeswax.
Want a stronger herbal effect? Consider making a double-infused oil (infuse the oil again with a new batch of herbs after straining the first).
You can speed up the infusion using the warm method (gentle heat for a few hours), but I prefer the slower infusion for a stronger oil.
Essential oils are optional, lavender and chamomile both add extra soothing benefits especially for bug bites!

How to Use

Apply a small amount of balm to bug bites as needed to calm itching and speed healing. Gently massage into the skin for best absorption. It’s gentle enough to use on children and can be reapplied throughout the day.

We have used this with my 5 year old and I use it on myself all summer long since mosquitos seem to really like me!

Storage and Shelf Life

Store in a cool, dry place. Your balm should stay fresh for up to a year if stored properly in sealed containers.

Always use a clean finger (or spoon) to get out the balm to prevent mold. When in doubt, throw it out and make a new one!

Bug Bite Balm

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Materials

Plantain leaves (dried)
Calendula (dried)
Chickweed (dried)
Carrier oil (I used avocado oil)
1/2 cup infused oil
1 1/2 tablespoons beeswax
10 drops essential oil (optional, I used lavender and chamomile)
Two 2 oz tins

Instructions

Fill a clean jar with equal parts plantain, calendula, and chickweed.
Cover with carrier oil, making sure all herbs are submerged.
Infuse for 6 weeks in a sunny windowsill or warm spot, shaking occasionally. Strain when ready.
Melt 1/2 cup of your infused oil with beeswax in a double boiler.
Once melted, let cool slightly before stirring in essential oil if using.
Pour into tins and let set overnight or until fully solid.

Notes

Balm too hard? Remelt and add a bit more infused oil.
Too soft? Add a little more beeswax.
Want a stronger herbal effect? Consider making a double-infused oil (infuse the oil again with a new batch of herbs after straining the first).
You can speed up the infusion using the warm method (gentle heat for a few hours), but I prefer the slower infusion for a stronger oil.
Essential oils are optional, lavender and chamomile both add extra soothing benefits especially for bug bites!
Store in a cool, dry place. Your balm should stay fresh for up to a year if stored properly in sealed containers.

Final Thoughts

This bug bite balm is a beautiful way to care for your skin with herbs you may already have in your garden or cupboard.

It’s easy to make, works well for the whole family, and is a natural alternative to store-bought creams with synthetic ingredients. Keep a tin in your purse, diaper bag, or first-aid kit; you’ll be glad you did.

If you give it a try, I’d love to hear how it worked for you! Leave a review and let me know!

Be sure to check out my DIY bug repellant balm, natural bug spray, or DIY anti itch spray for a convenient spray-on option too!