How to Make Kawakawa Balm: Step-by-Step Recipe & Tips

There’s a reason New Zealanders have been foraging kawakawa leaves for generations – the plant’s active compound myristicin is known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Making your own kawakawa balm at home is surprisingly straightforward, and this guide walks you through the ingredients, oil choices, beeswax ratios, and even a vegan alternative so you can create a balm that suits your skin and your climate.

Kawakawa balm shelf life: 6–12 months when stored correctly ·
Typical beeswax-to-oil ratio: 1:4 to 1:6 by volume ·
Kawakawa leaf infusion time: 1–4 weeks depending on method ·
Active compound in kawakawa: Myristicin – anti-inflammatory and analgesic ·
Traditional use in Māori medicine: Topical treatment for cuts, eczema, and insect bites

Five key facts that define kawakawa balm at a glance.

What do you need to make Kawakawa balm?

Choosing your kawakawa leaves

• Fresh leaves are preferred for highest active compound content (Aotea Health). Dried leaves can be used but may yield a milder balm.
• Look for lush green leaves without yellowing – the plant grows wild along New Zealand’s coastlines and forest edges.

Base oil options

• Coconut oil – antimicrobial and produces a firmer balm; may clog pores for some skin types (Ascension Kitchen).
• Olive oil – rich but requires a longer maceration of 2–4 weeks (Aotea Health).
• Sweet almond oil – non-comedogenic and absorbs quickly, ideal for facial balms (Ascension Kitchen).

Beeswax – types and sourcing

• Beeswax provides the solid structure. Ethically sourced NZ beeswax is available from local beekeepers (Aotea Health).
• For a vegan balm, candelilla wax or soy wax can replace beeswax at roughly half the amount by weight (The Nerdy Farm Wife (DIY skincare resource)).

Optional extras

• Mānuka oil for added antimicrobial properties (Aotea Health).
• Lavender essential oil for scent (Ascension Kitchen).
• Vitamin E oil to extend shelf life (Savvy Homemade (homemade beauty guide)).

Equipment: glass jar with lid, double boiler (or heatproof bowl over a pot), cheesecloth or fine strainer, storage tins or lip balm tubes.

The implication: choosing the right leaf quality and oil determines the potency of your balm – fresh leaves and a longer infusion give a stronger final product.

What oil is best for Kawakawa balm?

Coconut oil – stability and antibacterial properties

• Coconut oil is antimicrobial and yields a firm balm that holds up in warm climates. However, it can be comedogenic for some (Ascension Kitchen).
• It remains solid at room temperature, so your balm will be solid even without extra wax.

Olive oil – traditional and slow infusion

• Olive oil is a classic carrier for herbal infusions. It requires a longer maceration – 2 to 4 weeks – to extract kawakawa’s active compounds fully (Aotea Health).
• The resulting balm feels rich and moisturising on dry skin.

Sweet almond oil – lightweight and fast absorption

• Non-comedogenic and quickly absorbed, sweet almond oil is a top choice for facial balms and eczema-prone skin (Ascension Kitchen).
• It has a lighter texture than olive oil and requires less wax to achieve a spreadable consistency.

Blending oils for desired consistency

• A 50/50 blend of coconut and olive oil gives a balanced consistency that’s firm yet spreadable (Aotea Health).
• Adding a small amount of sweet almond oil can reduce greasiness.

The pattern: no single oil dominates – your choice depends on intended use (body vs. face), climate, and skin sensitivity.

How much beeswax for kawakawa balm?

Standard volume ratios

• For a firm balm suited to tropical climates: 1 part beeswax to 4 parts oil by volume (Ascension Kitchen).
• For a softer moisturising balm: 1:6 ratio (e.g., 1 tbsp beeswax to 6 tbsp oil) (Aotea Health).

Adjusting for climate and desired firmness

• In cooler climates, a 1:5 ratio is often ideal; in warm climates, go higher – up to 1:4.
• Ascension Kitchen recommends testing firmness by chilling a teaspoonful before adjusting the formula (Ascension Kitchen).

Weighing vs. measuring by volume

• Weighing is more accurate: beeswax weight should be 15–20% of total oil weight (The Nerdy Farm Wife).
• Example: for 100 g of infused oil, use 15–20 g of beeswax.

Troubleshooting: too hard / too soft

• If balm crumbles, remelt and add more oil; if too greasy, remelt and add beeswax.
• Separation after setting means the emulsion wasn’t blended thoroughly before pouring.

The catch: you’ll need to test your own batch because beeswax hardness varies by supplier and season. Always do a spoon test before pouring the whole batch.

How to make kawakawa balm without beeswax?

Using candelilla wax or soy wax

• Candelilla wax can replace beeswax at a 1:1 ratio by weight but requires a slightly higher melting temperature (around 75°C) (Humblebee & Me (formulation blog)).
• The Nerdy Farm Wife suggests using roughly half as much candelilla wax as beeswax in substitution (The Nerdy Farm Wife).

Alternative thickeners: shea butter, cocoa butter

• Shea butter adds creaminess and can replace up to 50% of the wax volume (Savvy Homemade).
• Cocoa butter gives a harder set but has a strong chocolate scent.

Coconut oil as a standalone thickener?

• Solid coconut oil alone will produce a very soft balm, best kept refrigerated. It won’t hold up in warm pockets.

Step-by-step vegan recipe

1. Infuse 15-20 fresh kawakawa leaves in 280 ml sweet almond oil for 6 hours at 50°C (Ascension Kitchen).
2. Strain the oil through cheesecloth.
3. Combine 60 mL infused oil with 20 g candelilla wax and 10 g shea butter in a double boiler.
4. Heat gently until melted, then pour into tins. Let set for 2–4 hours.

For vegan balm makers, the formula is a direct translation of traditional ratios – swap beeswax for candelilla at half the weight and add a butter for creaminess.

Can Kawakawa balm help with eczema?

Traditional Māori use for skin conditions

• Māori healers (rongoā) have used kawakawa poultices for inflamed skin for centuries (Aotea Health).
• The leaves are applied directly to cuts, eczema patches, and insect bites.

Active compounds: myristicin, pipermethysticine

• Kawakawa leaves contain myristicin, which has reported anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (Aotea Health).
• Pipermethysticine is another alkaloid thought to contribute to the plant’s soothing effects.

Anecdotal vs. clinical evidence

• No peer-reviewed clinical trials specifically on kawakawa balm for eczema exist; evidence is mostly anecdotal or from traditional knowledge (Aotea Health).
• Users on social media groups often report reduced itching and redness, but results vary.

Comparison with conventional eczema treatments

• Standard emollients and corticosteroid creams are clinically proven, but some people seek natural alternatives to avoid long-term steroid use.
• Kawakawa balm may complement conventional care but should not replace prescribed treatments without consulting a doctor.

The caution: without clinical trials, the balm’s effectiveness for eczema remains unproven. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t work – it means we don’t yet know how well it works compared to standard care.

For home skincare makers in New Zealand, the decision between a traditional beeswax kawakawa balm and a vegan version comes down to your ethics and climate. Test the firmness, respect the infusion time, and you’ll have a balm that carries the healing wisdom of rongoā Māori into your everyday life. For those with eczema, the balm offers a gentle alternative – but until clinical trials arrive, it’s wise to use it alongside, not instead of, proven treatments.

Related reading: How to make kawakawa balm · Kawakawa balm recipe

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