After those long days when you’ve forgotten to drink enough water or the noise of the world starts to catch up with you, this headache relief balm is your quiet companion. Made with simple, nourishing ingredients like tallow, herbal-infused oils, and essential oils, it’s easy to apply and perfectly portable—ready to offer soothing, natural relief whenever and wherever you need it most.

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This DIY headache relief balm is something I always keep on hand. It smells amazing, feels soothing, and works fast while providing long-lasting relief. Plus, it’s portable and easy to apply—I love that I can just toss it in my purse and use it whenever I need it.

I’m not a fan of taking a pill or just pushing through the pain, so this natural remedy is my go-to. When paired with time, relaxation, and hydration, it helps me get through headaches without relying on medication.

Why You’ll Love This Headache Relief Balm

Long-lasting moisture – Tallow and beeswax create a balm that hydrates and protects your skin while delivering therapeutic benefits.

Fast-acting & soothing – The cooling effect of peppermint and eucalyptus offers quick relief for headaches.

Natural & non-toxic – Made with nourishing ingredients like tallow, beeswax, and herbal oils—no synthetic additives or harsh chemicals.

Multipurpose – Use it on temples, neck, shoulders, or even under the nose for a little sinus relief.

Portable & easy to use – Keep it in your purse, desk, or nightstand for relief anytime you need it.

Customizable – You can adjust the essential oils or herbs to suit your personal preferences or sensitivities.

Variations & Customization Options

For extra pain relief: Add 5 more drops rosemary essential oil (improves circulation).
For a milder scent: Reduce peppermint and increase lavender.
For cooling effect: Mix in a 10 drops of wintergreen.

Ingredients & Their Benefits

Tallow – A deeply nourishing, skin-compatible fat that creates a creamy, absorbable base. Rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K, it supports skin healing, reduces inflammation, and helps repair the skin barrier.

Learn How To Make Tallow Here

Beeswax – Adds structure and firmness to the balm while helping to lock in moisture. It forms a gentle barrier that protects and soothes the skin without clogging pores.

Herbal-Infused Oil – Softens the balm’s texture and adds extra hydration and soothing benefits. Made by infusing dried herbs (like peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, and lavender) into a carrier oil such as olive or avocado oil, this step enhances the balm with natural anti-inflammatory and calming properties.

Essential Oils – Essential oils boost the balm’s effectiveness by targeting headache relief and tension.

Rosemary – Supports circulation and mental clarity, which can help reduce the intensity of headaches.

Peppermint – Delivers a cooling sensation that eases tension and helps relieve headache pain.

Lavender – Promotes relaxation and reduces stress, making it ideal for tension-related headaches.

Eucalyptus – Helps open up airways and clear sinus pressure that can contribute to headaches.

What’s The Difference Between Herbal Infused Oil and Essential Oils?

The herbal-infused oil is your nourishing, supportive foundation—long-lasting, gentle, and skin-healing.

The essential oils are your active boosters—concentrated and targeted for specific symptoms like pain, tension, or sinus pressure.

If you want to skip the step of making a herbal-infused oil, you can simply replace the amount for infused oil with plain carrier oil (like olive or avocado) and increase the essential oils by a couple of drops to make the balm more potent.

Materials You’ll Need

Double boiler or heatproof bowl & saucepan – For gently melting the tallow and beeswax.

Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer – To strain the herbal-infused oil.

Glass jar or bowl – For mixing and holding the oil.

Measuring spoons or digital scale – To measure ingredients accurately.

Small tins, glass jars, or chapstick tubes – For storing the finished balm.

Silicone spatula or spoon – For stirring in essential oils and pouring the balm.

Labels (optional) – To note the date and type of balm for future use.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Make the Herbal-Infused Oil
Add your dried herbs (such as peppermint, chamomile, rosemary, and lavender) to your chosen carrier oil (olive or avocado oil). Let the herbs infuse overnight up to a week at room temperature or gently warm them over low heat for 1–2 hours for a quicker infusion.

2. Melt the Base
In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water), melt the tallow, beeswax, and optional coconut oil together until completely liquefied.

3. Strain the Oil
Once the infused oil is ready, strain it through cheesecloth into a clean bowl or jar, squeezing out all the oil from the herbs. Discard the spent herbs.

4. Cool Slightly
Remove the melted base from the heat and let it cool for 1–2 minutes. This helps prevent the heat from breaking down the essential oils.

5. Add Essential Oils
Stir in your essential oils—typically peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and rosemary—adjusting the amounts to your preference and sensitivity.

6. Pour into Containers
Immediately pour the mixture into small tins, jars, or chapstick tubes. Let them cool completely at room temperature until solid.

7. Use & Store
Apply to temples, the back of the neck, shoulders, or wrists when needed. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.