I think one of my favourite things about summer is ditching shoes and going barefoot. As a kid I’d frequently return home with totally blackened feet that grew tough and leathery over the summer months. Now, sadly, I don’t have months-long summer vacations, which greatly reduces my running-around-outside-like-a-Lost-Boy time, but I’ll still go barefoot at any chance. Whether I’m kicking off my shoes on a walk through the park or tip-toeing through some seriously pokey pine needles on my way to the dock at my cottage, I’m a fan of going nude from the ankles down.
As with many seasonal things, though, there is a breaking in period, and it can smart. My pampered winter feet always protest a bit when I toss them outside to fend for themselves, so that’s where this barefoot balm comes in. Made from soothing and healing ingredients, it’ll help your feet calm down and toughen up in no time.
The majority of this recipe is made up of herb-infused oils. Arnica is for pain and soreness, plantain eases irritation and boosts healing, and St. John’s Wort helps relieve pain and boost healing. Arnica oil should not be applied to open skin, so this balm is just for sore feet, not cut up feet. Also, I’d recommend applying this barefoot balm when you’re done going barefoot for the day, as St. John’s Wort can cause photosensitivity.
Peppermint essential oils makes this balm subtly cooling, tea tree essential oil is antibacterial and antiviral, and chamomile is soothing. All together they smell quite nice, too—especially when paired with the herbal/nutty scent of the infused oils.
Give it a go—I think your sore summer feet will love it 🙂
Barefoot Balm
15g | 0.53oz arnica infused olive oil (pomace) (USA / Canada)
15g | 0.53oz plantain infused olive oil (pomace) (USA / Canada)
15g | 0.53oz St John’s Wort infused olive oi
10g | 0.35oz beeswax (USA / Canada)20 drops peppermint essential oil (USA / Canada)
15 drops tea tree essential oil
5 drops chamomile essential oilWeigh out the herb infused oils and beeswax into a small heat resistant glass measuring cup. Place that cup into a saucepan of gently simmering water to melt everything together.
Once melted, remove from the heat and stir in the essential oils. Decant into several 30mL/1oz tins and let set up.
To use, massage into sore feet before bedtime (or some other time your feet won’t see the sun for several hours). Do not apply to broken skin.
Hi Darlin’!
Great post – as usual! But I need to de-callous my bare feet!! Mine get really dry and calloused on the heals and edges. When I go to get a pedicure (I feel like I need to over tip since they are so rough!!!) they suggest petroleum but I don’t use the stuff. What so you think of adding tallow as major oil and the infused oils as “treatment” ingredients?
Thank you fir your huge generosity! You are an important contact for me!
Hi Leslie! I think a blend of tallow and shea butter could be downright amazing—I’d just apply it before bed and pop on some socks first 😉 It’ll be a greasy blend! Also, have you ever tried a foot mask? This one really helps soften up callouses 🙂
Marie – may I share a recipe for dry, calloused feet? All natural, of course – smiles!
Of course!
What would you recommend for a salve that heals sores on the bottoms of feet?
I’d recommend trying my Egyptian Magic 🙂
I cant wait to explore more of your site, thank you. Question on the bare foot balm: How do you make the infused oil part? how much herb to how much oil…how to steep ect. (I am a newby at trying diy products) Thank you in advance!
Hi Francie! I’ve got an article on making your own herb-infused oils here 🙂
Here’s a silly little infusion question!
Can you infuse all the herbs together for one recipe? like in this one there’s two herbs. or do you need separate portions of oil for every herb?
Hi Dorey! You definitely can—the reason I don’t is because I keep a pantry of herb-infused oils and use them as needed, rather than infusing the oil specifically for a recipe like this one.
oooh!!! that’s awesome! since it takes forever to do. I never thought of that! thaaaaaaaaaanks!
No worries 😀
Hi Marie, I really love your blog! <3
I've been having some free time lately and would like to try one of your DIY recipes. What would you recommend to someone who's a beginner in making balms? Something for the tropical weather also if possible. Thanks! 🙂
Hi Chris! I’d recommend you check out my DIY for Beginners post, it’s great place to start 🙂
Is there anything I can substitute for the plantain infused olive oil? I can’t find it, any suggestions?
Hi Michelle! You’ll want to make your own plantain infused olive oil—it’s really easy and requires next to no effort 🙂 I was able to find dried plantain leaf in the bulk section of my local health store and it was wonderfully expensive. Mountain Rose Herbs also sells it, as well as the infused oil, but it is MUCH cheaper to buy the dry herb and infuse your own Costco olive oil 😉
I totally need this – I love going barefoot, and since I live in Atlanta, Georgia, I have barefoot opportunities pop up even in the winter! But I sometimes make poor choices about where I go shoeless! (Like the lava rocks in one of my garden beds!)
I am mildly allergic to chamomile, though. What would you recommend? Should I skip it? Or try something else, like calendula?
Thanks for your awesome recipes!
Hello! I’m jealous of your year-round barefoot opportunities 🙂 You can definitely just skip the chamomile, or try a bit of helichrysum instead.
Hi, can I substitute something for the arnica infused oils …. I have plantain and St. John’s Wort growing in my backyard so have ready access to them. But I don’t think I have arnica
Yup! Just choose an herb that has benefits you’d like to bring to this balm 🙂 And please do ensure your plant matter is SUPER clean and SUPER dry before infusing 🙂 Happy making!