
Natural Pain Relief Salve Recipe with Arnica & Ginger Essential Oil
This natural pain relief salve recipe with arnica and ginger essential oil is made with just four simple ingredients. So whether you’re short on money or simply need a quick and “painless” DIY, then this natural pain remedy was created just for you.
Formulated to relieve inflammation and ease pain, this natural pain relief salve recipe combines the medicinal skin care properties of arnica flowers with the warming sensation of ginger essential oil. Both arnica and ginger essential oil are powerhouses at reducing inflammation when applied topically. Therefore this natural pain relief salve recipe is able to fight pain associated not only with bumps and bruises, but it’s also able to target muscle pain, arthritis, sprains and carpal tunnel.
Learn more about the properties of arnica here.
I personally use this natural pain relief salve to ease muscle tension associated with my fibromyalgia. It doesn’t irritate my skin like capsicum (or cayenne) pain relief salves do. And I can apply it pretty much anywhere I need it without the unfortunate side effects that occur if it accidentally comes in contact with nasal passages or other sensitive areas.
Similar in some aspects to my arnica pain relief salve recipe, this natural pain relief salve recipe calls for just four simple ingredients. So you’re able to spend less money if you’re on a budget. Additionally you’ll find that you can whip up my natural pain relief salve recipe in just ten minutes or less. This makes my natural pain relief salve recipe perfect for busy families.
If you or your children are involved in sports, you will definitely appreciate not only the simplicity of my natural pain relief salve recipe, but also the effectiveness. This recipe is perfect for both adults and children (age 12 and over) who are experiencing sore muscles due to workouts, sports or an otherwise active lifestyle.
Natural Pain Relief Salve Recipe
Ingredients:
3 oz. arnica infused fractionated coconut oil (or arnica herbal oil)
1 oz. white cosmetic beeswax (or natural beeswax)
48 drops (about 2 mL) ginger or fresh ginger essential oil
How to Make a Pain Relief Salve
Begin by infusing arnica flowers in fractionated coconut oil to create an herbal infused oil. To do this you can use either the solar infused method or the quick heat method to create your arnica infused coconut oil. (You can find a tutorial for both methods at the Mountain Rose Herbs blog here.)
Once the arnica infused fractionated coconut oil is ready, you can make my natural pain relief salve recipe. To do this, weigh out the arnica infused oil and beeswax using a digital scale. Then combine in a small 1- cup glass Pyrex measuring cup.
Gently heat the oil and beeswax in a double boiler until melted. Once melted, remove from heat.
Now add the ginger essential oil. You can do this by either measuring out 2 mL essential oil with a transfer pipette, or by using a dropper to add the amount of drops called for.
Stir to combine, then evenly pour into three 2 oz. glass jars or metal tins of your choice. (I used 2.3 oz. clear glass thick wall cosmetic jar from SKS Bottle & Packaging. If you double my natural pain relief salve recipe you will be able to fill around five of these jars.)
Allow the pain salve to cool completely. Then screw on the lids and label as desired for personal use or gifting.
How to Make Substitutions for a Pain Relief Salve
I chose to use fractionated coconut oil in my natural pain relief salve recipe so it would absorb quickly and not feel greasy. However you’re welcome to use another carrier oil of your choice or simply purchase pre-made arnica herbal oil.
Alternately, you can also use Mountain Rose Herbs Warming Ginger Massage Oil in place of the fractionated coconut oil and omit the ginger essential oil entirely. However you will still need to infuse the arnica in the warming ginger massage oil if you choose to make this substitution.
Additionally, if your skin is easily irritated, I highly recommend using Mountain Rose Herbs fresh ginger essential oil over their ginger essential oil which is extracted from the dried, rather than a fresh root and doesn’t cause skin irritation.
Cautions for Using Arnica
Due to the nature of arnica and its compounds, never use arnica on broken skin. Best suited for occasional topical use, you should avoid using arnica for extended periods of time. It is important to note as well, that if you are allergic or sensitive to ragweed, daisies, marigolds and other flowers in the Asteraceae or Compositae family, arnica may cause an allergic reaction. Or, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, arnica should simply be avoided all together.
If you are sensitive or allergic to arnica there are a number of other typically non-irritating herbs that can help to reduce pain caused by inflammation. These include St. John’s Wort, green tea, rosemary, sage and turmeric. (You may also be interested in Mountain Rose Herbs Arnica St. John’s Herbal Oil.) Additionally, herbs such as neem leaf, St. John’s Wort, lavender, peppermint, marjoram, chamomile and eucalyptus are all also effective at relieving pain symptoms. You can simply infuse one or more of these organic herbs into your carrier oil in place of the arnica.
Ways to Decorate Your Pain Relief Salve Jars
I used round cactus stickers to decorate the lids of my jars. You can also use washi tape to “seal” the jars closed, running the washi tape across the lid and down the sides of the jar. Then place a round sticker label over the washi tape on top of the lid. Alternately wrapping washi tape around your jars is another easy idea.
If you’re looking for cute stickers, I’m currently crushing on this collection of succulents stickers from Art by Sharell. Sharell incidentally just happens to live in my hometown of Roanoke, VA. I met her at an indie craft fair last year that raises money for a local non-profit, Girls Rock Roanoke. In addition to her lovely illustrated stickers, Sharell also paints beautiful nature inspired wood wall art.
More natural pain relief recipes & home remedies.
Want to explore other home remedies for natural pain relief options in addition to my natural pain relief salve recipe? Check out these other natural pain remedies you can make at home.
- Pain Relief Bath Salts Recipe to Soothe Sore Muscles
- Simple 3-Ingredient Pain Relief Massage Oil Recipe
- Natural Headache Pain Relief Balm Recipe
- Chocolate Cayenne Pain Relief Salve Stick Recipe
- Natural Sore Muscle Salt Scrub Recipe with Essential Oils
- Magnesium & Arnica Pain Relief Body Butter Recipe
- Warming Chili & Chocolate Sore Muscle Pain Relief Salve Recipe
- Homemade Pain Relief Ginger Salve Recipe
- Natural Burn Relief Spray Recipe with Arnica & Neem Oil
- Arnica Pain Relief Salve Recipe for Muscle Pain & Inflammation
You’ll also want to check this collection of summertime remedies from the garden for recipes that include a sunburn relief spray, herbal liniment, herbal massage oil and more.
Where to buy natural pain relief salves.
If you’re not quite ready to make my natural pain relief salve recipe, you can purchase natural artisan pain relief salves from a number of sellers on Etsy. Following are a few of my favorites.
- Pain Salve with Turmeric, Cayenne, Arnica & St. John’s Wort from Herbal Moon Apothecary (Pictured above.)
- Ginger Kelp Arthritis Pain Relief Balm from Momma B’s Naturals
- Anti-Inflammatory Pain Relaxer Cream from Adorani Organics
- Peace Out Pain Relief Balm from In The Weeds Apothecary
- Sore Muscle & Joint Rub from Morning Song Gardens
- Arnica & Belladonna Salve from Soaps & Beyond
- Natural Headache Balm with Pine & Peppermint from Body & Soul Goods
For more pain relief salves and natural home remedies you can buy, be sure to explore my collection of favorite handmade natural home remedies here.
Discover more natural skin care recipes.
Follow my best homemade salve recipes board and my natural home remedies & herbal health care board on Pinterest for more natural skin care recipes similar to my natural pain relief salve recipe.
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This article is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and is provided for informational purposes only. Information on products mentioned are based on my own personal experience and have not been evaluated by the FDA. Please consult a physician prior to making any changes that may impact your health.