Essential Oils
Discover the natural healing power of the herbal medicine arnica! Our recipe on how to make Arnica Salve will help soothe sore muscles, help relieve joint pain, tension headaches and bruises. With our step-by-step instructions, you can create your own homemade Arnica Salve for effective pain relief the natural way and experience the wonders of this natural remedy with our easy-to-follow recipe.
Arnica salve is a topical ointment made from the extracts of the small plant, named arnica. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and is believed to offer several potential benefits, let’s see how easy this is to make this arnica cream.
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Arnica salve recipe
This recipe yields approximately 3 2oz tins.
Ingredients:
- ½ cuparnica (you can find it at a health food store or I linked to Amazon)
- 1 cup avocado oil
- 2 tablespoonsbeeswax pellets
- Optional: a few drops of essential oils (such as lavender or peppermint) for added fragrance
Supplies:
mason jar or jar
3 2 oz tins
Cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer
Double Boiler (Optional)
Instructions:
- First step, add arnica flowers into a glass jar.
- Add the avocado oil into the glass jar, making sure the flowers are completely covered.
2. Place the lid on the jar and place the jar over low heat (a double boiler works great for this) for around 6 to 8 hours, stirring occasionally. Make sure the mixture doesn’t boil or simmer, just have it on a very low heat. Alternatively, you can do a slower method and just keep stored in a dark area for 6 weeks. You could also skip the jar and add the flowers and oil in a heat-safe bowl placed over a pot of simmering water, gently heat the carrier oil and dried arnica flowers. Let it simmer on low heat for about 2-3 hours. This process will allow the oil to infuse with the arnica flowers and extract their beneficial properties. Stir occasionally.
3. After simmering, strain the oil using a cheesecloth or fine-mesh strainer to remove the arnica flowers. Squeeze the cloth or press down on the flowers to extract as much oil as possible into a clean bowl.
4. Discard the arnica flowers and return the infused oil to the double boiler or heat-proof bowl. Add the beeswax pellets to the infused oil and stir until the beeswax has melted completely. If desired, this is the time to add a few drops of your chosen essential oils for fragrance.
5. Remove the mixture from heat and pour the mixture into the tins. Let it cool completely to room temperature before putting the lids on.
Your homemade Arnica Salve is now ready to use!
To use the arnica salve, simply apply a small amount to the affected area and massage it gently into the skin. The salve can be used for a variety of uses; sore muscles, bruises, sprains, and other minor injuries.
A few Notes:
- The salve can be stored in a cool, dark and dry place for up to a year.
- I used avocado oil but any carrier oil will work like olive oil or coconut oil
- You can add essential oils to make it become a stronger pain salve.
- You can also add in vitamin e oil or sweet almond oil to help preserve the salve as well.
Here are some of the potential benefits associated with arnica salve:
Anti-inflammatory properties: Arnica salve is believed to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain associated with sprains, strains, and muscle aches. It is often used as a natural remedy for sports-related injuries and post-operative recovery.
Pain relief: Due to its anti-inflammatory effects, arnica salve may provide temporary relief from pain associated with various conditions, such as arthritis, osteoarthritis, and minor injuries. I have psoriatic arthritis and Lupus, and my joints when off my medication to take a break, become very disfigured, the salve definitely helps with the pain.
Bruise healing: Arnica salve is often used to promote the healing of bruises. It is believed to enhance blood circulation and reduce discoloration and swelling, allowing bruises to fade more quickly. I use it whenever I have a bruise and it goes away much quicker.
Wound healing: Some studies suggest that arnica salve may have wound-healing properties. It is believed to stimulate blood flow to the affected area, which can potentially promote tissue repair and accelerate the healing process of minor cuts, scrapes, and abrasions.
Skin irritation and inflammation: Arnica salve is a great way to soothe skin irritations, such as bug bites, eczema, and dermatitis. Its anti-inflammatory and calming properties may help reduce redness, itching, and inflammation associated with these conditions. It’s also great for dry skin.
This is one of those natural remedies that will make it’s way into your first aid kit.
Note: While it’s important to note that scientific research on the efficacy of arnica salve is limited and its use should be discussed with a healthcare professional.
