Sore muscles, aches, and pains can really disrupt your daily routine. New research now indicates that taking ibuprofen might be hazardous to your health. Instead, why not create your own all-natural spicy salve to block pain signals from reaching your brain? It’s simple, cost-effective, and made with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen.
Why Choose a Salve?
When muscles become sore and achy, doctors often recommend nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or naproxen. However, research published in the British Medical Journal suggests that NSAIDs, including ibuprofen, could increase your risk of heart failure. Topical NSAIDs are a better option if you’re at risk of heart attack or stroke since they allow lower levels of the drug to enter the body. If you’re concerned about using too many pain medicines, consider making your own spicy salve for aches, pains, and sore muscles.
Coconut Oil as a Carrier Oil
Carrier oils serve as a base to dilute essential oils and ground spices before applying them to your skin. Coconut oil is an excellent carrier oil for salves, offering several health benefits when used topically. It contains a unique combination of fatty acids with powerful medicinal properties and won’t clog your pores. Unrefined coconut oil solidifies in a jar but melts with the warmth of your hands, making it easy to spread on the skin.
Ginger Helps Relieve Chronic Pain
Ginger has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine and is highly effective for soothing sore, achy muscles and chronic degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis. Numerous studies highlight its anti-inflammatory properties. A study in the Journal of Holistic Nursing found that topical ginger significantly reduced pain, fatigue, and improved function in chronic osteoarthritis pain. Ginger’s warming qualities also help improve circulation and relieve tension.
Cayenne Reduces Pain Messages
When applied topically, cayenne has powerful pain-relieving properties, making it a great addition to a pain-relieving salve. Research suggests that cayenne reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that transmits pain messages to the brain. With less substance P, pain messages no longer reach the brain, providing relief. Cayenne also helps relieve joint and muscle pain, arthritis, nerve pain, and low back pain.
Lavender and Peppermint Essential Oil for Pain Management
Lavender oil is a top natural remedy for migraines and tension headaches and is also useful in managing chronic pain. It is commonly used to treat persistent neck pain. Similarly, peppermint oil is a popular pain reliever. When used topically, lavender oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and peppermint oil relaxes muscles, making it particularly helpful for lower back pain.
Homemade Spicy Pain Relieving Salve
This homemade salve is made with pure beeswax, which contains natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
– 1/2 cup coconut oil, extra-virgin, unrefined
– 1/4 cup beeswax, grated or in pastille form
– 1 tbsp ginger powder
– 1 tbsp cayenne powder
– 10 drops lavender oil
– 10 drops peppermint oil
– Wide-mouthed glass jar with lid
Instructions:
1. Add coconut oil and beeswax to a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and let the oil and wax melt.
2. Add the ginger powder and cayenne powder, stirring to combine.
3. Remove the mixture from the stove and allow it to cool slightly. Add the essential oils and mix well.
4. Pour the salve into a glass jar and let it cool and firm up. Once it solidifies, cover and store it in a cool, dark place.
This salve is not for internal use or facial application. Do not use it on open cuts or wounds. Massage it into sore muscles, achy joints, and other sources of pain as needed. A little dab of this spicy salve goes a long way in relieving pain.
