How to Make Your Own Herbal Pain Relieving Salve that REALLY Works!

A well-made herbal pain relieving salve has a multitude beneficial and healing uses.

And this Peaceful Warrior’s Salve is a soothing salve full of super potent anti-inflammatory herbs + analgesic essential oils that can be applied topically — and from personal use and experience:

• can be massage into muscles, both before and after physical activity
• it stimulates circulation
• soothes and heals bruising
• relieves the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and tension headaches
• has the power to strengthen, protect, and prepare the body for and during exertion
• repairs overworked muscles, tendon injuries, and sprains
• acts as an anti-inflammatory by reducing inflammation and relieving the associated pain and swelling
• provides really relief from fibromyalgia symptoms

It is a must-have in the herbal medicine chest of…

athletes.
gardeners.
avid hikers.
manual laborers.
outdoor enthusiasts.
families with young children.
and those who suffer from joint disorders.
Basically, anyone who ever has or will suffer from pain.

What’s in the Salve?

So before we get into the details on how to make your own Peaceful Warrior’s Salve…let’s talk about all of the amazing ingredients we’re going to be working with.

The Herbs

Plants such as CBD-rich hemp buds + flowers, arnica flowers, comfrey root, helichrysum flowers, St. John’s wort, devil’s claw root, ginger root, cayenne pepper, and turmeric root are all well-known for their:

• anti-inflammatory properties
• analgesic properties
• sedative properties
• antispasmodic properties
• anti-microbial properties

The Essential Oils

Essential Oils such as eucalyptus, wintergreen, ravensara, lavender, juniper berry, sandalwood, helichrysum italicum, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, peppermint, yarrow, vetiver, and marjoram are all able to treat and relieve:

• muscle pain, tension, and spasms
• low back pain
• tension headaches
• migraine headaches
• pain caused by PMS (cramps)
• joint pain caused by rheumatism + osteoarthritis
• stiffness
• nerve pain
• fibromyalgia pain

DIY Peaceful Warrior’s Salve Recipe

Ingredients
*Choose as many organic ingredients as possible. I have linked to the products I use personally for this recipe. 

• 4 ounces herb-infused oil
• 0.5-1 ounce beeswax
• 25-40 drops essential oils

Optional Add-Ins

• 1/2 teaspoon camphor granules
• 1/2 teaspoon menthol crystals

Method 

1. Using the same method I shared with you for making my homemade CBD-rich oil (read that article here) — choose the herbs you will use to infuse into the oil you have available (for this salve I use a combo of this AMAZING organic olive oil + this AMAZING organic coconut oil). I infuse CBD-rich hemp buds, arnica flowers, comfrey root, helichrysum flowers, St. John’s wort, devil’s claw root, ginger root, cayenne pepper, and turmeric root…use whatever you have on hand. Please note :: The CBD-rich hemp + arnica are the secret to this salve! Use these two if you use nothing else.
2. Once infusion is complete, be sure you collect at least 1/2 cup (4 ounces) of herb infused oil after straining.
3. In a saucepan (made of non-reactive material), over low heat, melt 0.5-1 ounce (depending on how hard you’d like your salve) of beeswax into the herbal oil. I suggest starting with the lesser amount of wax — adding more if needed. Note: To check if the mixture is the right consistency, because the salve hardens as it cools, Rosemary Gladstar again suggests placing a “tablespoon of the mixture in the freezer for just a minute or two. If it’s soft, add more beeswax; if too hard, add more oil.”
4. When the consistency is to your liking, remove saucepan from heat.
5. Allow salve to cool slightly on the counter.
6. Using a spoon or wire whisk, stir while adding camphor + menthol (if using) and essential oils. Whisk until well combined. A Note on Essential Oils :: I love using essential oils that hold anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and sedative properties. Generally I add to this salve essential oils of eucalyptus, wintergreen, ravensara, lavender, juniper berry, sandalwood, helichrysum italicum, chamomile, clary sage, frankincense, peppermint, yarrow, vetiver, and marjoram. For maximum medicinal potency, I add them at a concentration of approximately 25-40 drops per 4 ounces of oil. Choose the oils you have on hand or readily available. (I highly recommend the organic essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs…check out their extensive selection of oils here.)
7. Pour ointment into storage containers —  click here to purchase new tins or jars. Salve will keep for 2-3 years when stored in a cool, dark place.

To Use

Rub salve liberally on your aches and pains. Add heating pad or ice pack to enhance therapeutic benefits.

Notes

-For the herbs that I can’t grow myself, I love to purchase them in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs or a local health food store. Mountain Rose Herbs is also my go to for medicinal-grade essential oils!

-Please watch my salve-making video tutorial for additional help in learning how to make medicinal salves.

Note: Naturally the results will be different for everyone. This is by no means a cure-all. I’m just happy to share with you my experience with these plants and/or oils. Please use conventional wisdom and consult with your medical professional prior to using this or any other herbal remedy. And as we know all too well the FDA doesn’t like any type of claim…therefore, take it for what it is, and remember, this information is purely educational in its purpose.