Tallow Balm Stick with Beeswax, Essential Oil, and Herbs

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This Tallow Balm Stick Has Amazing Benefits For Dry Itchy Skin and Can Offer Targeted Pain Relief and So Much More

Homemade tallow balm sticks are an incredible solution for anyone struggling with dry, itchy skin. Tallow, which is rendered beef fat, closely mimics the fatty acids found naturally in our skin, making it exceptionally nourishing and well-suited for skin care.

Unlike many commercial moisturizers that can contain synthetic additives, tallow balm is completely natural, which means it’s gentle and often better tolerated, especially by those with sensitive or allergy-prone skin. The rich composition of vitamins A, D, E, and K in tallow deeply hydrates and protects the skin, creating a barrier that helps lock in moisture and protect against environmental damage.

Tallow has anti-inflammatory properties, which can soothe irritation and redness, making it beneficial not only for everyday dry skin but also for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.

The stick form is particularly convenient for targeted application—ideal for dry patches on hands, elbows, and heels, while also being easy to carry in your bag for on-the-go relief.

Whether you’re looking to soothe cracked winter skin or simply want a natural, effective moisturizer, a homemade tallow balm stick is a wonderful addition to your skincare routine.

Supplies and Ingredients to make a Beef Tallow Stick

The first thing you’ll need is a container. These are the tubes I used.

I like these particular tubes because they are biodegradable cardboard, and not full of toxic plastics that can leach into the balm. They can be used to make deodorants as well!

You’ll also need the following ingredients:

Raw Shea Butter – you’ll be able to use this Shea butter for many other DIY projects like this whipped body butter or Natural Sunscreen

Beeswax – like the shea butter this can be used in many other DIY projects – maybe try making your own vanilla bean lotion bars or you could even make your own beeswax candles!

Rendered Tallow – I like to use Grass Fed. This is the tallow I used

Benefits of Making and Herbal Infusion and Essential Oils to Add To Your DIY Tallow Balm

You can use either and infused oil of Rosemary / Lemon Balm, Essential Oils, or both!

Infused herbal oils are made by steeping herbs in a carrier oil, while essential oils are concentrated plant extracts obtained through distillation.

Infused herbal oils and essential oils have different benefits. Infused oils contain the whole herb, providing a broader spectrum of compounds. Essential oils are highly concentrated and provide targeted benefits from specific plant compounds.

Using both can give you the ultimate in benefits.

If you are choosing to add the Rosemary and Lemon Balm herbal infusion, then you’ll need 3 tablespoons of each dried herb.

Benefits of Adding Rosemary to Homemade Balms

Rosemary is a powerhouse herb known for its healing properties and vibrant aroma, making it a fantastic addition to homemade balms. This aromatic herb has been used for centuries in natural remedies due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties, which can help soothe, protect, and nourish the skin. Here are some of the key benefits of incorporating rosemary into your DIY balms:

• Anti-Inflammatory: Rosemary contains rosmarinic acid, which can help reduce inflammation and soothe sore muscles and joints, making it ideal for pain-relieving balms.
• Antioxidant-Rich: With potent antioxidants like carnosic acid, rosemary helps protect skin from environmental stressors, which may aid in slowing down visible signs of aging.
• Antimicrobial Properties: Rosemary’s natural antimicrobial properties make it effective in combating bacteria, which can support skin clarity and improve hygiene, especially in foot balms.
• Stimulates Circulation: The stimulating qualities of rosemary encourage blood flow, which may help in reducing puffiness and supporting skin healing.
• Aids in Relaxation: The distinct, refreshing scent of rosemary is known to ease stress and boost mental clarity, adding a calming, aromatherapeutic benefit to balms.
• Supports Scalp Health: When applied to the scalp, rosemary-infused balms can help stimulate hair growth and reduce dandruff, making it a versatile option for scalp treatments.

Benefits of Lemon Balm in Your Homemade Tallow Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a fragrant herb in the mint family known for its gentle, citrusy aroma and soothing effects on the skin. It has long been used in traditional medicine for its calming, antiviral, and antioxidant properties. This makes it a versatile and effective ingredient to incorporate into homemade balms, especially those focused on skin health and stress relief. Here are some of the top benefits of using lemon balm in your DIY balms:

• Calming and Soothing: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, lemon balm can help calm irritated or inflamed skin, making it ideal for sensitive skin or areas prone to redness.
• Antiviral Properties: Lemon balm is rich in polyphenols and tannins, which have antiviral qualities. It is often used in balms meant to soothe cold sores or reduce the duration of viral skin irritations.
• Antioxidant-Rich: Lemon balm contains antioxidants, such as caffeic and rosmarinic acids, that protect the skin from oxidative stress, helping maintain a youthful glow and prevent premature aging.
• Nourishing and Moisturizing: With its mild astringent properties, lemon balm helps balance natural oils, providing moisture without making the skin greasy—perfect for soothing dry or chapped areas.
• Aromatherapeutic Benefits: The fresh, lemony scent of lemon balm has calming effects on the mind, promoting relaxation, reducing anxiety, and uplifting mood. It’s a wonderful addition to balms aimed at stress relief.
• Supports Healing: Lemon balm has mild antibacterial and wound-healing properties, which can support the skin’s natural repair processes and reduce the risk of infection for minor cuts and scrapes.
• Eases Skin Discomfort: Its gentle properties make lemon balm a good choice for balms targeting itchy skin, rashes, or insect bites, helping reduce discomfort and accelerate recovery.

Using lemon balm in homemade balms adds a refreshing scent and a blend of benefits that make it suitable for a wide range of skin and wellness applications, from calming irritated skin to adding a soothing touch to everyday stress.

Where to get your dried herbs for homemade balms

If you grow them in your garden, that’s fabulous!! If you need to buy some, I recommend picking up some organic rosemary and organic lemon balm. You can easily find Rosemary at your local grocery store. Not all stores carry lemon balm.

You can also order Organic dried Rosemary Amazon or from Mountain Rose Herbs

You can pick up dried organic lemon balm from Amazon here or I like to use Mountain Rose Herbs.

You can also choose to add essential oils. I recommend keeping to the same essential oils as the herbs if using both. Lemon Balm essential oil is commonly known as Melissa and has some fantastic benefits.

You can choose to leave out the herbal infusion and go with only essential oils. If doing this, you can choose from a wide variety of essential oils for different benefits.

Some great choices for essential oils:

• Peppermint
• Tea Tree
• Frankincense
• Lavender
• Orange
• Rosemary
• Lemon Balm (a.k.a. Melissa)

Step by Step directions to make a tallow stick

The first step if you are using the herbs is to make your herb infusion.

Add your dried Rosemary, dried Lemon Balm and Tallow to a heat safe jar or glass measuring cup like in the picture below and melt the tallow using a double boiler or heat safe jar like a mason jar.

To make a double boiler with a jar, simmer water in a pot on the stove, and then put your jar in the pot of simmering water.

Once the tallow has melted, allow the herbs cool in the tallow for about 30 minutes to infuse all their goodness into the tallow. After 30 minutes strain the herbs from the tallow.

If you are not using the herbs, you do not need to do this step. You can proceed to the next step.

Step 2

Next, add the shea butter, beeswax, and tallow into a heat safe jar or glass measuring cup, or a double boiler. Put the jar in a pot of simmering water until everything is melted.

Step 3

The last step is to add your essential oil to the melted mixture. You can skip this if you don’t want the essential oils.

Step 4

Now, pour your mixture into your sticks. A small funnel might help although I found it to be tricky to hold the funnel into place, so it was easier for me without.

You should be able to get 2 full tubes. Let them sit undisturbed until solid. It may help to have them on a tray before you start so that you can easily move them out of the way if needed.

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