Whether you’ve been lifting heavy furniture or went overboard on your workout and want something to ease the pain of sore muscles, you’re in luck as you probably have many of these ingredients right inside your kitchen cabinets.
These three recipes result in fabulous warming balms that not only relieve muscle soreness, but soothe the pain of menstrual cramps, psoriasis, arthritis, nerve pain and more.
Warming, pain-relieving salve
Keep this in mind when determining the best dried herb blend as per recipe ingredients:
- Basil warms the skin and serves as a muscle relaxant.
- Wintergreen warms the skin and has a cortisone-like effect on muscle and joint inflammation.
- Marjoram is an anti-inflammatory and natural muscle relaxer.
- Rosemary aids circulation and helps to relax muscles.
- Vetiver has antispasmodic properties and warms the skin.
- Lemongrass can repair connective tissue and is great for ligaments and tendons.
- Eucalyptus is anti-inflammatory and can help relieve soreness.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic, extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 ounce of desired dried herb blend
- ½ ounce beeswax
- ¼ teaspoon vitamin E
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon desired essential oil (such as peppermint or clove oil, both natural pain killers)
- Salve tins or jars
To make, you’ll need a large glass measuring bowl and a pot, or a double boiler. Fill your pot halfway with water, and place the glass measuring bowl inside the pot. Heat at medium-low. Add the oil and dry herbs to the glass bowl, and simmer gently for three hours. Strain the oil through a cheesecloth into a clean bowl and then return to pot. Add the beeswax and allow it to melt.
Test for consistency by placing a pea-sized amount on wax paper and putting it into the freezer for several minutes. If it’s not firm enough, add more beeswax. If it’s too firm, add more oil. Remove from heat and add vitamin E along with essential oils. Mix well and pour into your tins or jars. Allow it to cool and then cover with a lid.
Amazing DIY Warming Rub
Ingredients:
- ½ cup unrefined, organic coconut oil
- 1 ¼ cups finely grated, packed cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons cayenne powder
- 2 teaspoons ginger powder
- 15 drops peppermint oil
- 15 drops eucalyptus oil
- 8 drops clove oil
- 1 teaspoon arrowroot powder
Place the coconut oil, cayenne and ginger powder in a double boiler and gently warm the oil. Be sure not to let it get too hot as the cayenne can quickly fill the room making you cough. When it’s slightly warm, stir and then remove from heat. Allow it to sit for 30 minutes and then repeat the process. Repeat again twice more before completely removing from heat. Set aside the oil to infuse overnight and then move on to the next step.
Place a bowl inside the freezer for use later. Using a cheesecloth, strain the mixture over a measuring cup. Strain out the spices and then add enough coconut oil so that the final amount equals ½ cup. Add the arrowroot powder and mix thoroughly. Place the infused coconut oil into the freezer until it’s semi-solid on top.
Don’t allow it to harden all the way through. Next, place the infused coconut oil and cocoa butter into your chilled bowl, and add the essential oils. Mix with a standard electric mixer on high until peaks form. Store in an airtight jar.
Homemade Sore Muscle Warming Rub
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup organic, unrefined coconut oil
- ¼ cup extra-virgin, organic olive oil
- 1 tablespoon beeswax
- ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 20 drops peppermint essential oil
- 20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
- 20 drops clove oil
Fill a small saucepan with water and then find a heatproof bowl that will fit inside the pan. Add the coconut and olive oil to the bowl, along with the ground pepper and ginger. Bring the water to a simmer, and then let the mixture warm in the hot water for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes of steeping, add the beeswax and heat until melted.
Place a strainer over a small bowl. You can use a coffee filter for extra help. Carefully remove the melted mixture from the saucepan, and pour over the strainer to keep any ginger or ground pepper bits out of the salve.
Next, add the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oils. Carefully pour the warming rub in a small sealable container, and allow it to set at room temperature for about two hours. Seal with a lid and use as needed.
For 9 other ways to use coconut oil click here ( 3 of them will surprise you)!!
-The Alternative Daily
Sources:
http://realfoodoutlaws.com/how-to-make-a-pain-relieving-salve
http://www.mommypotamus.com/diy-warming-rub-for-sore-muscles
http://www.popsugar.com/smart-living/DIY-Sore-Muscle-Salve-34150646
