This sore muscle rub was lovingly created as a natural solution for my boyfriend’s post-work sore and tired muscles. This muscle rub has arnica, comfrey, and loads of stimulating essential oils in a smooth salve base. With a little heat or ice, it is perfect for sore and achy muscles!
Arnica is a very well-known flowering herb found in alpine meadows and known for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has a long history of being used to help treat bruises, swelling and joint pain (Johnson et al. 2010).
Comfrey is another herb that is great for inflamed muscles! Comfrey has been used to help heal bruises and sore muscles, and even fractures and sprains and contains compounds that are anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving (Johnson et al. 2010). Both arnica and comfrey should not be taken internally but are great for topical applications (just not for open wounds).
This fragrant and stimulating salve has the texture of firm petroleum jelly or Vaseline without the petrochemicals. I love the spicy heat of the black pepper, clove, and cinnamon with the minty sharpness of the peppermint, camphor, and eucalyptus.
There are a lot of essential oils in this recipe and if you aren’t to the point where you have a cabinet full of them (I’m totally guilty of this), feel free to try this recipe without some of them and let me know how it is! You can also leave out a certain essential oil if you dislike the smell (I know a few people who hate the smell of eucalyptus – crazy, right?).
Sore Muscle Rub Recipe
Makes ~1 cup
- ½ cup sunflower oil*
- ¼ cup castor oil
- ¼ cup beeswax pastilles
- ¼ cup arnica flowers
- ¼ cup comfrey leaves/roots
Essential Oils
- 3 ml (60 drops) peppermint
- 3 ml (60 drops) camphor
- 3 ml (60 drops) cajeput
- 30 drops eucalyptus
- 25 drops black pepper
- 25 drops cinnamon
- 25 drops clove
- 10 drops copaiba
- 10 drops cedarwood
Directions
- Combine the sunflower oil and dry herbs in a heatproof bowl or double boiler and set it over a saucepan full of water on low heat. Let the herbs steep in the oil for at least an hour keeping the temperature around 100 degrees. For a solar infusion version, fill a jar with the sunflower oil and herbs, shake, and leave it in a sunny, warm window for several days.
- Once the herbs have steeped for a while, strain them out with a fine mesh sieve. The strained oil will need to go into a heat safe bowl. Put the bowl of strained oil back in the double boiler on low heat.
- Add the castor oil and beeswax and stir until melted. Do a test and drip a few drops of the mixture on a plate and place in a cool place for about a minute. Check the texture. It should have a similar consistency of petroleum jelly but slightly more firm. If it is too hard, add more sunflower oil, if it is too soft, add a bit more beeswax.
- Remove from heat but keep it in the saucepan of warm water so that the beeswax doesn’t begin to harden while we’re mixing in essential oils.
- Add the essential oils. You can add fewer essential oils if you want but just keep in mind that some of the scents evaporate off as it cools.
- Pour the mixture into glass jars and let cool. I have an assortment of mason jars, containers from Mountain Rose Herbs, and glass jars from the thrift store.
*sweet almond oil or olive oil can be substituted for sunflower oil
I have really enjoyed having this salve on hand for sore muscles! What’s your go-to for sore muscles and bruises? Try out this recipe or pin it for later and let me know what you think!
Johnson, R. L., Foster, S., Low Dog, T., Kiefer, D. (2010). Guide to Medicinal Herbs. Washington D.C.: National Geographic.