How to Make Peppermint Tallow Salve

There comes a point in every crunchy woman’s life when she looks at a jar of store-bought lotions, sighs dramatically, and asks themselves:

“Will the next episode of Joe Rogan tell me this gives me cancer?”

And honestly? yes, probably.  

This peppermint tallow salve is cozy, old-fashioned, ridiculously moisturizing, and smells like a woodland herbalist who for some reason has a fetish for toothpaste. It’s perfect for dry winter hands, rough elbows, sore muscles, or pretending you live in a tiny moss-covered cottage. 

So put on your oversized cardigan, light a candle that smells vaguely like pine needles, and let’s make salve like the village healer would’ve trusted.

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Why Tallow?

It’s also very moisturizing and it keeps cows warm so it must be good for you. 

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Ingredients

Gather Your Weapons ladies: 
- 1 tbs rendered beef tallow

-  3 tablespoon beeswax pellets

- 1 cup peppermint oil (see how to make in step 1) 

- 5 drops of peppermint essential oil (if you want it extra minty fresh) 

-clean glass jar

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Step 1: Peppermint oil

Start with a carrier oil of your choice, the best ones to use are jojoba and olive oil, I used a mix of the two. This is a great way to use some of that pesky overgrown mint you planted in your herb garden. If you don’t have mint in your backyard yet I recommend growing it in a pot, you’ll never buy store bought mint again it comes back year after year, but it grows like a weed so grow wisely. 

Grab a bunch of mint leaves and Submerge them in 1 cup of your carrier oil. Store in a cool dry dark place for about 2 weeks. You can shake it every now and then so that oil begins to trusts you. Don’t shake it too hard it doesn’t like that. Once the 2 weeks are up you can strain out the leafy bits and bada-bang-bada-boom you got yourself some peppermint oil. 

2: Melt your wax

Add your tallow and beeswax to a double boiler over low heat.

As it melts, whistle. (it will help pass the time) 

Stir gently until fully combined. 

If you want a softer salve, add a little jojoba or olive oil here.

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3: Add the Peppermint

Remove from heat and let cool for a minute. Add the oil you made in step 1. Add 5 drops peppermint essential oil if you like it extra spicy, no judgement ;D

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4: Pour Into  Containers

Pour the liquid salve into tins or jars. Try leaving it on the counter to cool sometimes using the fridge to cool it can crack the mixture. 

How to Use Your Peppermint Salve

Rub it onto:

• Dry hands

• Cracked heels

• Sore shoulders

Just avoid your eyes unless you enjoy experiencing all five dimensions simultaneously.

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Final Thoughts

Making peppermint tallow salve feels like one of those old-fashioned little skills that’s both practical and deeply cozy. It’s inexpensive, beginner-friendly, and just crunchy enough to make you want to milk a goat.

Plus there’s something undeniably satisfying about moisturizing your hands with something you made yourself. 

Go forth and conquer my friends