Breastfeeding mothers can relate.
It hurts to have a milk supply.
And goats are no different. That’s why I created this udder balm to soothe and protect the skin of my goat’s most precious feature — their udders. After you get the “how to milk a goat” part down, it’s time to make sure those teats and udder are healthy.
An udder balm can really help promote healthy skin for your goats, which is always a good thing. When you’re milking an animal twice a day (which includes cleaning and a good 30 min. of squeezing) things can get dry down there.
In the wild, the baby goats wouldn’t need to wash the udder and teats first, so the goat’s natural oils would protect the udder. Although we use homemade udder wipes, our goat’s udders tend to get dry.
In a more domesticated situation like our little urban farm here, our goat’s teats need nourishing. We also live in the desert (Arizona) which means it’s even drier than the wild places goats can live in. I always include this homemade udder balm in my goat milking supplies.
Gathering ingredients for an udder balm recipe.
Basically you’ll start with a base of coconut and olive oil, then you’ll add beeswax to thicken things up. The raw honey is helpful for nourishment of the skin, but the essential oils is where this recipe really shines. Lavender essential oil is famous for it’s skin protecting qualities and melaleuca can ward off environmental agents and keep things clean. In my essential oil book, both are recommended as the top oils for skin. Plus they both smell AH-MAZING, which doesn’t hurt when you’re in the barn with a bunch o’ goats. Am I right?
Homemade Udder Balm Recipe {with free printable label}
Start off with my cute printable label. You should see a spot below to enter your email. If not, click HERE. After you get my printable label, you can use these sticky labels to print them on!
Homemade Udder Balm Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/2 c coconut oil
- 3/4 c olive oil
- 1 c beeswax
- 1 tsp raw honey
- 10 drops lavender
- 10 tea tree oil
Instructions
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Add coconut oil, olive oil, and beeswax to a double boiler (place ingredients in glass bowl over a pan of boiling water).
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Slowly melt together then remove from heat.
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Add honey & essential oils when mixture is warm to the touch (not hot).
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Place mixture in fridge for 1 hour.
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Remove and place in mixer to whip for 10 minutes or until fluffy.
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Place in mason jar for storage.
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Could you substitute avocado oil for the olive oil or does it need to be olive oil? Thanks so much!
Hi Misty-
Yes, you can substitute it.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How much does this cost you to make and how long will this last you? I am going to be milking 2 does so I want to know how long it will last me. Thanks
Hello-
It can cost around $12. Depending on what brands you use and how exact you follow the recipe the price may be a little more or less. This will last about 3 months.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
So you use the teat dip then the balm after you milk?
Hi Carolina-
Yes, use after milking.
Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
What purpose does the essential oils play in this? I really dislike the smell of lavender so I was thinking of omitting the EO. Thanks!
Hi Darcy-
Yes, you can leave out the EOs, you just won’t get quite the same skin conditioning and cleansing properties. However, it should still work quite well. I have seen other recipes that use frankincense oil, and it will soothe the skin much like lavender. You can give it a try if you don’t like lavender.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
would this work on sheep also can you give me link to teat dip recipe
Hi Cate-
Yes.
https://fiascofarm.com/goats/teatdip-udderwash.html
Thanks! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Do you feel like this udder balm would work instead of a teat dip since it has the same essential oils in it?
Hi Laura-
No, the teat dip still needs to be done before milking. The balm is for after, as they coconut oil, etc. may make milking difficult.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Danelle says to use the teat dip after your done in one of her posts…thats why I was wondering if the udder balm if rubbed on the teats would allow you to skip the teat dip since they uses the same oils. Thanks in advance!
Hi Laura-
I would still use the teat dip just to make sure mastitis, etc. does not become a problem and use the udder balm more as a skin conditioner.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi. I have all the ingredients except the beeswax. The link you provided doesn’t work. Can you provide a new one or guide me in the direction to the best one to use for the recipe? Thank you.
Hi Cheri-
The link should be fixed now.
Thanks! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
How long is this balm good for? And what is the ideal storage location to make it last longer?
Hi Haley-
If stored correctly and quality ingredients are used the balm can last over a year and a half. The limiting ingredient is olive oil. If a high quality olive oil is stored in a cool dark dry place, away from sunlight, it can last over a year and a half. So, the same goes for you udder balm. Store properly (cool dark dry spot) and it should last well over a year and a half.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
With the EO’s will that be safe for my babies to still nurse??
Hi Angela-
Lavender & tea tree are safe for goats, and the amounts will be trace. You’re good to go to let the babies nurse.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
I’m standing here stirring up my third batch of balm and this time I’m making a double batch! Just wanted to say how much my husband and I like using this on our Jersey… and my husband says the skin in his hands hasn’t been this nice in years! LOL
We also rub the excess balm (that’s on our hands after applying to Jerseys udder) on our leather work gloves and it seems to give extra life and a touch of water proofing there!
Hey danelle,
My kids and I love your YouTube channel. We got some goats back in January and one had a baby March 30th. My kids named her Willow 🙂
My mama goat has congested udder. I am using warm compresses, massaging, giving vitamin c, some colostrum I had frozen, and applying tea tree oil mixed with coconut oil. She had large hard lumps (softball size) in her udder. Would this balm help with congested udder?
Hello-
Congrats on getting your goats! And love the name Willow! ?
Yes, the balm can help with congested udder, along with the massaging and other things you are doing. Also, make sure your mama goat isn’t consuming too much grain as that can increase the likelihood of congested udder.
Best of luck with your goats!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello DaNelle! My family and I LOVE LOVE LOVE your YouTube Channel and your precious family! We are creating our own little version of your farm here in Southern Ohio. :0) I’m wondering how often you apply this balm to your mamas’ udders? Thanks so much for your help! ❤️
Hi Mary-
A good rule of thumb is to apply the balm after each time you milk.
Thank you for the kind words and best of luck with your farm!
-Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
if the babies are still mlking of the udder is it ok for me too apply the udder balm knowing they will be drinking off it
Hi Morgan-
Lavender & tea tree are safe for goats, and the amounts will be trace. You’re good to go to let the babies nurse.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi! How much would it affect the curative properties of the balm to exclude the honey?
Hi Monica-
You can leave out the honey. It may change the consistency a bit, but it should be fine.
I hope that helps.
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Love the article. Will this recipe work leaving out the lavender and tea tree? The dents can mess with my allergies so unscented would be a must for me.
Thanks,
Nic
Hi Nic-
Yes, you can leave out the EOs, you just won’t get quite the same skin conditioning and cleansing properties. However, they should still work quite well and not upset your allergies. Let us know how they work and how you like them!
Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Is there another way you can quantify the amount of beeswax (like weight)? There’s a huge difference between 1 c solid block beeswax and 1 c grated.
Love the blog btw! I’m still on hold dreaming for my farm, but I’m learning SO MUCH until then!!
Hi Emma-
To measure the beeswax, I can tell you that
1 cup melted beeswax is equal to 8 ounces (1/2 lb.) of solid beeswax.
I hope that helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi Tanya-
I have seen other recipes use frankincense oil, and it will soothe the skin much like lavender. You can give it a try if you don’t like lavender. I hope that helps. Thank you -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
You can order the oil here: https://www.weedemandreap.com/doterra/
Is there an oil you could recommend in lieu of the lavender oil?
Is it ok to add eucalyptus oil instead of the tea tree oil, even when the kids are still nursing?
Hi Sarah-
Yes, you can add eucalyptus oil instead of the tea tree oil, even when the kids are nursing. Hope it works well! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi! I am not a goat owner but I milk a couple of cows. One of them recently got 2 of her tears injured. Can I use this balm to help heal them? It’s not super deep but it is an open wound. Thanks!
Hi Meloni
Yes, you can use this balm on your cows. Be sure to clean out the wound and keep an eye on her injuries, making sure they heal. Best of luck! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
After making this does it have to be refrigerated or can it sit out until it expires? Thank you!
Hi Marla-
The balm can sit out until it expires. Thanks! -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hello,
I have gathered all the ingredients except the beeswax (somewhat hard to find in Guatemala).
Can I do without? If so should I reduce on the essential oils?
Thanks in advance
Hi Claudy-
Yes, you can make the balm without the beeswax, but it will be runny. The essential oils will be fine as is. I hope this helps and you get some great balm! Thanks -Bobbi (DaNelle’s Assistant)
Hi! Wondered if you typically apply both your homemade teet dip and udder balm together after milking? Does the dip only go on the teets and the balm everywhere else?
Thanks!
We’ve ended up using just the udder balm here:)
First – LOVE your site and always look forward to your emails 🙂
I’d love to make up a batch of this udder balm but have concerns of using essential oils in the mixture if mama is still nursing her kids. As I understand, ingestion of tea tree and lavender oils can be hard on the liver…is this true and if so, could you recommend substitutes I could use until the kids are weened?
Thank you!!!
Hi, not true at all. Lavender & tea tree are safe for goats, and the amounts will be trace. You’re good to go!
Hi there, I make a recipe with shea butter and use vitamin E to preserve it. Would adding E extend the freshness? Thanks for all u do! Lupus patient here, enjoying all you do for chronics like me!
Yes, GREAT IDEA!
How long does this recipe last? I’m doing my research now, but I’m planning on just having two to start out with.
About 3 months:)
Your udder balm recipe is very similar to homemade facial moisturizer recipe, except I add organic aloe vera gel, vitamin E and frankincense essential oil.
Wonderful recipe! I would add hemp oil now that I have used it-look under consumer reviews at Amazon for it, 90% favorable ratings. This would be good for humans too.