Pain disrupts our daily life and messes with our routine. Sore muscles and achy joints can be hard to bear, especially if it’s a chronic problem.
Such ailments are often caused by excessive activity, staying in one position for too long, exhaustive working hours, heavy lifting, improper posture or simply aging. Pain can also be a symptom of many underlying conditions, such as arthritis or fibromyalgia.
Pain medications can only last so long, and they are also pretty expensive. In addition, they may have side effects that can further wreak havoc in your daily life. These side effects may include nausea, a rash, stomach upset, heartburn and fatigue. When taken in high doses, some medications can also cause liver damage and increase the risk of heart attack.
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This DIY pain balm is an economical option that will help alleviate pain in your joints and muscles as well as reduce inflammation. The various ingredients used in this recipe lend different properties to the balm.
Here are the benefits of a few of the ingredients:
- Camphor has anti-inflammatory properties that help relieve pain and inflammation.
- Peppermint oil has cooling properties, which relieves sore muscles and has a calming effect on the body.
- Arnica oil helps reduce inflammation, and its analgesic properties help numb the pain. It is used to treat pains, bruises, sprains and other ailments.
- Clove oil also has analgesic qualities for pain relief. It also relaxes sore muscles.
How to Make Homemade Pain Balm
Things you’ll need:
- Extra-virgin coconut oil – ¼ cup
- Grated beeswax – 2 tablespoons (or 1 ounce)
- Camphor – 1 tablespoon or 10 to 12 balls
- Peppermint essential oil – 9 drops
- Arnica essential oil – 7 drops
- Clove essential oil – 5 drops
- Sterile storage container
Steps
1. Measure out ¼ cup of extra-virgin coconut oil and put it in a bowl.
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2. Add 2 tablespoons (or 1 ounce) of pure grated beeswax to it.
3. Heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds to 1 minute, until the ingredients are completely melted.
4. Add 10 to 12 camphor balls to the mixture, and microwave for 20 seconds or until the balls dissolve completely.
5. Add 9 drops of peppermint, 7 drops of arnica and 5 drops of clove essential oils.
6. Mix the contents thoroughly using a wooden stick. This mixture can stubbornly adhere to metal utensils.
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7. Transfer it to a sterile storage container.
8. Leave it for a few hours at room temperature to cool down.
How to use your homemade pain balm
- Scoop up some of the balm with your finger.
- Gently apply it to the affected area, massaging in a circular motion for 5 minutes.
- There is no need to cover the area. The balm can be left on and does not to be rinsed off.
Precautions
While side effects are rare from a natural pain balm, it always helps to ensure that you have taken proper precautions.
- Make sure you are not allergic to any of the ingredients.
- Do not apply the balm on open wounds, or nose, or eyes.
- It is for external use only. Do not swallow it.
- If your skin feels irritated after application, wipe off the balm immediately.
Tips and Alternatives
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- If you do not have all of the above mentioned oils, try suitable substitutes like eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil, cinnamon oil, or chamomile oil.
- You can use a double boiler instead of a microwave to melt the ingredients. If you don’t have one, you can arrange a makeshift double boiler by simmering a few inches of water in a saucepan and then placing a ceramic or glass bowl on top of the saucepan. The bottom of the bowl should not touch the saucepan. Keep adding water to replace any lost to evaporation.
- Beeswax is available in a variety of forms like pellets, blocks, beads and pastilles. You can use any form for this recipe.
- Instead of a stick, you can use a wooden paint stirrer or a wooden chopstick to mix the ingredients.
- If you do not have a tin container, you can use a sterile glass jar with a lid. To sterilize the jar, wash it thoroughly with hot water and soap. Next, place it upright in a deep pot and fill the pot with water until it covers the jar by 1 inch. Boil the water for 10 minutes. Then, use tongs to remove the jar from the pot and place it on a paper towel to dry.
- Make sure to keep the balm away from direct sunlight.