Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (2024)

This herbal balm recipe offers relief from general aches and pains, arthritis, bursitis, and sore muscles.

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (1)

I originally designed this Aches & Pains Balm specifically for my dad, who has bursitis and arthritis.

He’s worked hard his whole life – often so much that his hands would crack and bleed, so I wanted to make something to help ease his sore muscles and hands somewhat.

Over the years, it has become a family favorite and I try to keep some on hand at all times in my home!

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (2)

About the Main Ingredients

Tei Fu Oil

The star of this recipe is Tei Fu Oil – it’s a blend of safflower oil, wintergreen oil, menthol, camphor, clove, eucalyptus and lavender essential oils.

I was first introduced to Tei Fu Oil at my local health food store, as a remedy for a migraine I was experiencing. (Massaged into tender pressure points, it worked very well!)

Check local health food stores when possible, but you can also buy Tei Fu Oil on Amazon.

If you can’t use Tei Fu Oil, try a blend of: 60 drops peppermint essential oil, plus 10 drops juniper berry (or cedarwood Himalayan or fir needle) essential oil, plus 8 drops rosemary essential oil.

Castor Oil

Castor is a thick oil with a unique profile that sets it apart from other oils. It’s sometimes used in products for pain and inflammation, and can help ingredients absorb into your skin more readily.

Tamanu Oil

Tamanu is a remarkable oil, for helping scars, sores, tough-to-treat skin conditions, and inflammation.

It has a strong nutty scent (it’s in the tree nut family) and a dark green color that adds a pretty green hue to products. A little bit goes a long way!

Arnica Flowers

Arnica (Arnica montana) is an anti-inflammatory herb that’s excellent for bruising, sore muscles, arthritis, and pulled muscles. (Not for use on open wounds.)

Comfrey Root or Leaf

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) helps bruises, pulled muscles, broken bones, and tiny nicks heal faster. It contains allantoin which stimulates skin growth and soothes and protects skin. (Not for use on deep, open, or puncture wounds.)

Some links on this site are affiliate links; I only recommend products I personally use and enjoy. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (3)

Step 1: Make the Infused Oil

Before you can make this balm, you first need to make an infused oil.

Ingredients you will need:

  • 1 cup sunflower or sweet almond oil (or your favorite oil)
  • 2 tablespoons dried arnica flowers
  • 2 tablespoons dried comfrey root or leaves
  • 1 tablespoon dried dandelion or purple dead nettle (OR more dried arnica flowers)

Add the dried herbs of your choice, plus the oil to a heatproof canning jar and infuse in one of the following ways:

For a quick infusion:

Set the uncovered jar down into a saucepan containing a few inches of water, forming a makeshift double boiler of sorts. Place the pan over a low burner and heat for around 2 or 3 hours. Don’t allow the water to evaporate out of the pan, and monitor the oil while it’s heating.

Remove from the heat and strain out enough oil for your recipe when needed. You can top off the jar with more oil and allow it to continue infusing the slow way until needed again.

For a slow infusion:

Instead of infusing over heat, put a lid on the jar and tuck it away in a cabinet or on a shelf and let it steep for at least 4 to 6 weeks, shaking occasionally as you remember to.

Shelf life and storage of infused oil:

Strain and store any remaining infused oil in a dark spot or cabinet out of direct sunlight and heat. Shelf life should be about 1+ year.

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (4)

Step 2: Make The Balm

Now that you have an infused oil, you’re ready to make your balm!

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe

This balm is perfect for soothing over general aches, pains, arthritis, bursitis, and muscle soreness. Don’t apply to broken skin or wounds.

Ingredients:

  • 0.2 oz (1/2 tbsp) castor oil
  • 0.2 oz (1/2 tbsp) tamanu oil
  • 3.1 oz (1/3 cup + 1 1/2 tablespoon) strained herbal infused oil, from above
  • 0.55 oz (1 1/2 tablespoon) beeswax pastilles
  • 1/2 bottle (about 140 drops) Tei Fu Oil Blend

(Remember, if you don’t have Tei Fu Oil, try a blend of: 60 drops peppermint essential oil, plua 10 drops juniper berry (or cedarwood Himalayan or fir needle) essential oil, plus 8 drops rosemary essential oil.)

Directions to Make:

  1. Add the oils and beeswax to a heatproof canning jar or upcycled tin can.
  2. Set the heatproof jar in a small saucepan containing a few inches of water, forming a makeshift double boiler.
  3. Place the pan over a medium-low burner and heat until the beeswax is melted.
  4. Remove from heat, cool slightly, then stir in the Tei Fu Oil Blend.
  5. Pour into small tins or jars.

Yield: around 4 ounces of balm

Hopefully, a few of you can use this recipe, or one like it, to bless someone you love with a balm to help ease their aches and pains.

(P.S. But don’t forget to save some for yourself!)

Originally published August, 2012. Updated July, 2020.

Check with a qualified medical professional if you have any questions or concerns about use of this product or medical symptoms you may be having, especially if you are elderly, pregnant, nursing, or on any medication.

FREE RESOURCE

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (5)

HERBAL SALVES & BALMS

Subscribe to the Monthly Maker and receive:

  • Build Your Own Salve eGuide
  • 18 Herbs & Flowers for Salves Chart
  • Salve Building Printable Worksheet
  • A Monthly Email with Natural Project Ideas

By subscribing to our newsletter, you agree to the terms of our privacy policy.

Aches & Pains Balm Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make homemade pain relief balm? ›

- Take three teaspoons of beeswax (easily available online) and mix it with four teaspoons of coconut oil. - Heat it in the microwave so that beeswax and coconut oil get mixed well. - Add a few drops of all essential oils to the mixture after taking out the mixture from the microwave.

What is the strongest essential oil for pain? ›

Which Essential Oils Are Best For Pain? One of Mother nature's most powerful painkillers, peppermint oil is frequently used for alleviating pain [1]. Closely related to peppermint, wintergreen oil boasts similar properties due to its methyl salicylate component.

What are the ingredients in pain balm? ›

Pain balms generally contain 3 components namely (1) Methyl salicylate, (2) Menthol, and (3)Camphor. All these are easily absorbed through the skin. Methyl salicylate absorbed through the skin acts as an analgesic.

What is the most potent natural pain reliever? ›

Endorphins: The brain's natural pain reliever - Harvard Health.

What is good to rub on arthritic joints? ›

Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Several topical products (Voltaren Arthritis Pain, Pennsaid, others) are made with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicine called diclofenac. They treat osteoarthritis in joints that are close to the skin, such as the hands and knees.

What plant is a natural pain killer? ›

White willow bark, Boswellia, devil's claw, bromelain, turmeric, and ginger have all shown potential to help ease pain. However, some are not appropriate for children. There may also be instances where these herbal treatments interact with other medications you take, so always discuss these treatments with your doctor.

How do you make pain killer oil? ›

Method of Preparation:

Heat mustard oil in a pan on medium heat and pour it into a glass bowl. Add freshly ground ajwain seeds or ajwain powder, followed by eucalyptus oil. Mix well and apply to the affected areas. Massage this DIY painkiller oil on the affected parts and derive the benefits of oil massage on body.

How to make pain salves? ›

Pain Salve Recipe

Strain oil from the wormwood, sage, and yarrow mix through a cheese cloth. Melt bees wax in a double boiler. Add oil to the beeswax and stir. When mixed, remove from heat and pour into jar(s) to cool, uncovered.

What are the ingredients in pain relief rub? ›

Ingredients such as menthol, methyl salicylate (oil of evergreen), and camphor are called counterirritants because they create a burning or cooling sensation that distracts your mind from the pain. Salicylates. These same ingredients that give aspirin its pain-relieving quality are found in some creams.

How do you make homemade pain killer oil? ›

Heat mustard oil in a pan on medium heat and pour it into a glass bowl. Add freshly ground ajwain seeds or ajwain powder, followed by eucalyptus oil. Mix well and apply to the affected areas. Massage this DIY painkiller oil on the affected parts and derive the benefits of oil massage on body.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 6597

Rating: 4 / 5 (61 voted)

Reviews: 92% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Kimberely Baumbach CPA

Birthday: 1996-01-14

Address: 8381 Boyce Course, Imeldachester, ND 74681

Phone: +3571286597580

Job: Product Banking Analyst

Hobby: Cosplaying, Inline skating, Amateur radio, Baton twirling, Mountaineering, Flying, Archery

Introduction: My name is Kimberely Baumbach CPA, I am a gorgeous, bright, charming, encouraging, zealous, lively, good person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.